Filled to the brim with charming alleys and bustling avenues, steeped in hundreds of years of history, and endowed with marvellous green spaces, there's only one way to experience Madrid on a short time frame - by foot

Madrid, Spain

Madrid: the essential one-day walking tour

Unlike many of its European counterparts, Madrid is very compact and, if you're willing to invest a full day, you can take in the majority of the city's quintessential sights. Rather than factoring in activities such as visiting the Prado or stopping at markets, this guide will give you an outline of how to walk around the city if you're hoping to see its most important places on a tight deadline.

We'll start the tour at the iconic Templo de Debod, an Ancient Egyptian monument which was relocated to Spain in an effort to preserve it when construction began on the Aswan High Dam. I'd encourage you to saunter around here, taking in the monument itself and the amazing park surrounding it, which offers breathtaking views out onto the Casa de Campo park, as well as the sierras in the far distance. 

This entire tour should take somewhere between 4 and 6 hours depending on your pace and how many detours and breaks you decide to take. If you're a night owl, you could start later and time the end of your tour to coincide with sunset from Palacio Real, which I can confirm to be one of the most stunning I have ever witnessed (just see this guide's cover photo for proof!).

20-30 minutes should be enough time to take in the park at a leisurely pace. 

Templo de Debod is located close to both Príncipe Pío (Metro lines 6, 10 and R) and Plaza de España (Metro lines 3 and 10), making it easily accessible from anywhere in the city. Get off at one of these stops and climb the hill to access - I promise it's worth it!

The next stop on our tour is the Plaza de España, which was renovated in 2021 and features an homage to the father of Spanish literature, Cervantes. It marks the western end of Gran Vía, perhaps the most famous street in Madrid, and conveniently the next stop on our tour!

Depending on your schedule and how you feel about heights, you could book in advance to go up to the rooftop terrace at the Riu hotel, which offers awesome panoramic views over the entire city. You should leave at least one hour to sit back with a drink of your choice and soak up the skyline. 

Plaza de España is essentially right next to Templo de Debod: it should be an approximately 10-15 minute walk from the Templo itself down to the south end of the Plaza de España, following Calle de Ferraz. 

Gran Vía is nothing short of Madrid's most famous street. The beauty of this stop is that you can amble down it at your own pace, stopping at any shops or admiring any buildings that take your fancy. This tour will take you all the way down the street, from west to east, culminating with a view of the iconic Edificio Metrópolis just before we arrive at the next stop.

If you fancy a refreshment break at this stage of the tour, I recommend heading north on one of the smaller streets that branches off Gran Vía, and picking one of the many charming independent coffee shops or eateries on offer in neighbourhoods such as Malasaña or Chueca. 

No rocket science here: the west end of Gran Vía is at the top of Plaza de España, which was our last stop. 

Strolling down Gran Vía can take as little as 25 minutes, but I'd encourage you to spend at least an hour or two, giving yourself plenty of time to browse any shops that catch your eye - there's something for everyone here.

Another simple one here: just follow Gran Vía down to its eastern end and Cibeles will reveal itself to you. Alternatively, if you need a break, the number 74 bus goes down the length of Gran Vía from west to east, and can drop you off at Cibeles. 

The highlight of this particular plaza is the Palacio de Cibeles, the magnificent eclectic building which now hosts Madrid City Council. This is one of the most photographed locations in the city, so make sure to save some time to get those snaps in!

Admiring the Palacio de Cibeles and taking some photos shouldn't take more than 10 to 15 minutes. A word of caution: the roundabout at Cibeles links to three important avenues: Calle de Alcalá, Paseo de Recoletos, and Paseo del Prado, so just be careful when navigating street crossings here. 

This imposing neoclassical gate dates back to the late 18th century, and has very recently reopened after restoration works. It marks a natural stopping point on the way to Stop #6. 

This is a simple 5-10 minute walk along Calle de Alcalá eastwards. The imposing Puerta de Alcalá will clearly signal that you're at your destination!

There are very few other spaces in Madrid which speak to the city's opulence and majesty like the Retiro does. This gorgeous 17th century park has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021, and for good reason - stroll through its beautiful paths and gardens and you'll soon see why.

No tricks here: the Puerta de Alcalá (Stop #5) sits at the north-west entrance to the Retiro, so simply enter the park through the gates. 

This curious neighbourhood has a name which means "wash feet", which some historians speculate refers to an old fountain which was lost to history. Kooky and vibrant, modern-day Lavapiés stands out for its multicultural feel and winding, narrow streets - I'd encourage you to take some time here to soak up the atmosphere and get chatting to the Madrid locals, who are always willing to help you out with recommendations!

I'd recommend exiting the Retiro through one of the south-central or south-western gates here (which might also give you a chance to swing  by the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Real Jardín Botánico). 

Start heading westwards on Calle de Moratín, turning left onto Costanilla de los Desamparados. Then you'll want to head south-west on Calle de Zurita, bringing you to the Lavapiés Metro stop. From here, you can get lost among the many winding streets this neighbourhood has to offer. This whole section of the walk shouldn't take more than 20-25 minutes.

Using the Lavapiés Metro stop as a reference starting point, start heading north-west on Calle de Lavapiés, taking a left onto Calle de Jesús y María when the road forks. Turn left when you reach Tirso de Molina, and walk for a couple of minutes - this puts you right in the heart of La Latina. This part of the tour takes roughly 15-20 minutes to walk at a leisurely pace. 

Although in the past it was the site of an important market, Plaza Mayor's remodelling in the 1600s catapulted it to become one of the most iconic places in Madrid. The combination of the cobbled plaza, the imposing statue of King Philip III, and the stunning buildings which constitute Plaza Mayor's four sides, turn this into a must-see stop on our tour. If you want to try a local speciality, around Plaza Mayor there are lots of restaurants selling bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich) - not to be missed by all you seafood lovers!

Departing from Teatro La Latina, head north on Calle de Toledo, following all the way up to Plaza Mayor. This should take between 5 and 10 minutes. 

Leave Plaza Mayor through one of the northern exits, then turn right along Calle Mayor. This will get you to Sol in approximately 5 minutes (more if you spot a shop on Calle Mayor that calls out to you). If you've got a sweet tooth, this would be the ideal time to make a slight detour to the Chocolatería San Ginés, which specialises in sumptuous churros. 

Set off from Sol via Calle del Arenal, one of Madrid's oldest streets. If you've gone the right way, this will also allow you to go past Ópera and the Teatro Real, as well as the opulent Plaza de Oriente. This will get you to the Palacio Real in a respectable 10-15 minutes, but in truth you could spend much longer gazing at the splendid architecture you'll see along the way. 

The tour has a length of around 9-10km (5.6-6.2 miles) if you factor in some walking around the stops.

Truth be told, you could easily spend several hours in the Retiro. Maybe you'll hire one of the quaint rowing boats on the Estanque Grande, or head towards the pretty Palacio de Cristal. Perhaps you'll lose yourself simply wandering and pausing at the statues commemorating Spanish national heroes. You might even make a stop at the Real Jardín Botánico (the Royal Botanic Garden) at the south-west of the park. But whatever you decide to do, this stop on our tour is not to be missed under any circumstances!

La Latina is one of Madrid's oldest neighbourhoods, and its narrow, mazy alleys transport you back through hundreds of years of Islamic, Habsburg and Bourbon history. Some of the city's finest bars and plazas can be found in this area, so make sure to stop for a drinks break and watch the world go by before heading on to Stop #9!

The Puerta del Sol is the beating heart of Madrid, with its roads acting as arteries to everywhere else in the city. It is home to shops, hotels, and the office of the President of the Madrid regional government, and has been the nucleus of protests against the Iraq War and the Spanish government's handling of the financial crisis. In a curious Spanish tradition, thousands of people congregate here each New Year's Eve to eat a single grape on each of the twelve clock chimes ushering in the new year. In short, the Puerta del Sol is Madrid's soul, and more than deserves its place as Stop #10 on our tour!

The magnificent Royal Palace is the final stop on our grand tour. On the way from Sol you'll have also been treated to some of the other staples of Madrid's history and architecture, so arriving at Palacio Real will be the crowning glory of your journey through this fabulous and majestic city. The Palace itself merits a visit in its own right, but don't forget to also stop by the Jardines de Sabatini gardens, and the Catedral de La Almudena to get those Instagram-worthy snaps in! 

P.S. the sunsets here are not to be missed - my go-to spot is the public balcony in between the Palace and the Catedral de La Almudena, but make sure you arrive early to get a space!

I hope this tour has allowed you to experience lots of what Madrid has to offer. I've tried to create an accessible and thorough tour, but please feel free to make use of Madrid's world-class public transport to get between stops, as well as building in any other recommendations you might have heard on your way. 

Madrid: the essential one-day walking tour

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