What to see in Madrid in 48 hours

2025-05-13

Madrid is one of those places that we all know and that you should visit from time to time. So this autumn we are getting lost in the Spanish capital for 48 hours, one of the most visited destinations in one of the most ideal times of the year.
From Puerta del Sol to Gran Vía, many of you will already know the most emblematic places in the city. Even so, to save you the trouble of preparing your next trip, we've managed to summarize what to see in Madrid in 48 hours.

La Puerta del Sol

Undoubtedly one of the city's landmarks. The square where we find the statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, the famous km. 0 of the country's radial roads, and where Spaniards start the new year, either from there physically or from their homes through their televisions.

Playa Mayor

Walking along the Calle Mayor you will reach the famous and majestic Plaza Mayor, with all its history and also the perfect place to stop for a drink. You should also visit the surrounding area, which is known as the Madrid of the Austrias.
It might be a good idea to book a tour for a couple of hours to get to know the city and its history a little better.

San Miguel Market

Due to the amount of people that visit the San Miguel Market, it will be very difficult to eat inside, but you should still walk around and enjoy the architecture of the market. There are some terraces where you can find a table, and it will be great to see the atmosphere of the area.

Stroll around the Retiro

It is worth setting aside a few hours of your visit to Madrid to stroll around, rest and stop at the Retiro Park. There are plenty of places to lose yourself in, one of which is El Palacio de Cristal - you'll completely forget you're in the Spanish capital!

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace, or Palacio Real, is absolutely spectacular and even more so if you know its history, as it is the largest palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. We recommend that you set aside a couple of hours for your visit, and if you only want to see it from the outside, you can see it even better if you go up one street above the pedestrian street and get some height.

Going to a museum

The Prado, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen Museum form the Art Triangle located on the Paseo del Prado. If there is one thing you must see in Madrid in 48 hours, it is one of its renowned and spectacular museums.

The Temple of Debod

The Temple of Debod is an Egyptian temple from the 2nd century B.C. located in the Cuartel de la Montaña Park and was a gift from Egypt when Spain helped them financially to move other temples in Nubia that were threatened by the construction of the Aswan Dam.
From the surrounding area you will have panoramic views of the city with spaces in which you will be able to relax.

Find an antique at the Rastro

A stroll through the Rastro market may be enough for you, or you may end up spending hours and hours enjoying the streets lined with small shops and stalls selling antiques and second-hand goods. From vinyl records to cutlery, clothes, cameras, anything you can imagine!
The Rastro market is only open on Sundays and public holidays.

Eating out in Ponzano and La Latina

Finally, a must-do on any visit to Madrid: tapas. We have selected the neighbourhoods of Ponzano and La Latina as the best places to enjoy a good tapa of tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette) and a calamari sandwich, typical of the city.

It may seem like a lot, but you will reach most places on foot without even realizing it, enjoying the good weather, the views, and the atmosphere of the city.
If you are still looking for a place to escape to for a few days, remember that you can always count on economic and quality accommodation with Resa Inn in more than 20 cities in Spain. Plus, you can use the code LIVINGRESA to get a 10% discount on your entire stay.

You may be interested: The 15 best museums in Spain