24 Hours In Madrid: Exciting Things To See & Do

This post will share all the exciting things you can see and do in 24 hours in Madrid.

For the second part of my 4-day trip to Spain, I headed to Madrid from Barcelona to gather my first impressions before flying back home.

\While I would have preferred to spend the extra day in Barcelona, in hindsight, I’m glad I flew out through Madrid.

I was not about to go through another ordeal at the Reus airport.

Thankfully, I had bought my train tickets in advance, so I got a bargain.

It would have been cheaper if I didn’t travel on a Friday.

Other than that, it was not too bad at all.

Now that I’m back from my trip, I prefer Barcelona to Madrid.

While I haven’t spent enough time in any of those cities to draw a solid conclusion, even though Barcelona gave me student vibes because I visited in September, I prefer it and can’t wait to return.

Let’s get into the details that made the second lap of this trip seamless.

Here’s how To Spend 24 Hours In Madrid On A Budget

My favourite part of this trip was the timing. I was in Malaga for the Summer with all the crowds and heatwave, and while I enjoyed my trip, I’ll probably not do that again soon.

It was simply too hot to enjoy anything besides sunbathing on the beach.

But visiting in September gave me the opposite experience.

The crowds were not as many, and the weather was fantastic even though it got windy quickly, which is something a jacket can always fix.

I could jump on the bus and visit as many attractions as possible in one day until my feet let me.

I can say I had a fulfilling day exploring Madrid.

Train Tickets

Cost: £35.22/€39 – one way

One of the iconic train journeys you must take in Europe is the Barcelona to Madrid route.

It is similar to the Amsterdam to Berlin route I took in May, the Venice to Rome route I took in June, and the Milan to Florence route I’ll be taking in December.

While I could have stayed in Barcelona for the entire trip, the train journey was part of the experience, and I’m so glad I took it because it was different from what I had experienced so far.

I took OUIGO, one of the low-cost Spanish rail operators, and the journey took 2hr 45 mins from Barcelona Sants station to Madrid Puerta de Atocha station.

I bought my tickets directly on their website and was immediately assigned a seat in the last coach.

Even though the trains were fully booked, the journey was smooth.

I didn’t pay extra for a specific seat, which would have cost 9 euros.

I just took the random seat allocation.

You’ll need to pay 3 euros for WIFI, which was weird, so make sure you download a movie beforehand.

There’s a mini X-ray baggage check in the Barcelona Sants station, and you must queue up like you’re boarding a flight.

It’s not as strict as airport security; you can also take liquids.

So, give yourself ample time to navigate the station and jump on the queue as soon as possible to secure a good spot for luggage storage.

Return Flight Tickets

Cost: 19.34/€22 – one way

My favourite thing about visiting multiple cities is flying into one and out of another.

I’m able to pack so many experiences into one trip.

It can be a logistical nightmare if not planned correctly.

After multiple trips, I believe I’ve been able to master it.

Thankfully, three Metro trips to the Madrid Airport took about 45 minutes from my hostel.

So, I just had to set out early. I got to the airport with two extra hours, so I quickly jumped on the VAT refunds queue.

The Madrid Airport is pretty easy to navigate if you follow the directions in English.

If you’re confused, always ask a member of staff to help.

It is worth noting that you can’t use your existing travel pass for the airport if you’re using the metro.

You have to top it up with 3 euros, which you can do at the airport entrance, so bear that in mind.

Accommodation

Cost: £39.55/€45 – one night

I stayed one night in the OK Hostel, which I booked through Booking.com.

There wasn’t any price difference between booking directly and through a third party.

So, I just used Booking.com for convenience.

It cost €45, which was not worth it, but it was the only hostel available based on my preferences.

I never compromise on an ensuite bathroom, privacy curtains and bedside charging points.

I didn’t stay long enough to form an opinion, but it was not too bad.

The location was convenient, even though I got confused several times.

The room was clean, and the staff was friendly.

Transportation

Like Barcelona, you can’t tap in and out with a contactless card; you must buy a Travel card, which is very annoying again.

I got the reloadable Madrid Multi Card at the Atocha train station, valid for ten years, for €2.50.

I loaded it with the 10-journey ticket and Airport Extra Charge.

So, I paid €14 for transportation within 24 hours, which is not bad.

Once you buy the Multi Card, you can use it on the tram, metro and buses.

Just make sure you validate your ticket by tapping in and out.

If you’re returning to Madrid soon, keep it so you won’t need to buy another one.

Attractions

Madrid has a charm as a capital city, similar to other cities.

As always, it is a cosmopolitan city while retaining its history and culture.

I generally found the Madrid city centre much more crowded and busy.

It’s almost as if the tourists never really left.

Like Italy, Spain is multi-layered, so you don’t need to visit the capital to have a good time.

You can choose any city in the North, South, East or West and you’ll still have a good time.

Let’s look at some of the best attractions you can visit if you only have 24 hours in Madrid;

Iconic Landmarks

• Royal Palace of Madrid: Spain has a monarchy, and their palace is pretty gorgeous.
• Plaza Mayor: This is the main square in the centre of Madrid. It is stunning and reminds me of the public squares in Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges.
• San Miguel Market: This famous indoor food market is outside the Plaza Mayor. It is super busy, so plan.
• Temple of Debod: A reconstructed Egyptian temple in a public park where you can watch the sunset. This temple was donated to Spain by Egypt to preserve it. I suggest you keep this location for the evening as the view from the Parque Del Oeste is breathtaking.
• El Retiro Park: One of the largest parks in Madrid, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It originally belonged to the Spanish monarch until it became a public park in the 19th century.
• Catedral de la Almudena: A gorgeous Catholic Church opposite the Royal Palace of Madrid.
• Plaza de España: Another beautiful public square in the centre of Madrid opened in 2021 after renovations.
• Sabatini Garden: A landscaped garden that is part of the Royal Palace.
• Toledo Gate: 19th-century city gate in the middle of a roundabout. It is slightly far out and less crowded.
• Europe Park: A large park with 18 European monuments.

Museums & Galleries

• Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía: A museum dedicated to famous 20th-century Spanish artworks.
• Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Another museum dedicated to European art from the 13th – 20th centuries.
• Museo Nacional del Prado: The National Spanish art museum with collections dating from the 12th to 20th century.
• Museum of the Americas: A Spanish national museum dedicated to the arts, archaeology and ethnography of the Americas.
• Palacio de Cristal: An 18th-century glass conservatory housing art exhibitions.
• The National Archaeological Museum houses archaeological objects and art collections from the Spanish monarchs dating from prehistoric up until the 19th century.

There’s much to see and do in Madrid, especially if you’re into Spanish and European art and culture.

No wonder many students worldwide come to Madrid for one year for their study abroad programs.

Combined with the low cost of living, you’re in for a great time.

Food & Shopping

Like any other metropolitan city, there are many food and shopping options.

Make sure you visit the largest shopping area in Madrid: the Gran Vía, also known as the Spanish Broadway, which formerly had many hotels and movie theatres now converted into shopping centres.

The most prominent Zara and Primark stores on the Gran Via will also be found.

Don’t forget to ask for a VAT Refund receipt to enable you to get your VAT refunds from the airport if you’re coming from outside the EU.

In Summary

If you want to spend 24 hours in Madrid, I hope you found this helpful guide.

Madrid was a vibrant city that made a good impression on me.

It’s a city I can see myself returning to for all its history and culture.

But Barcelona has my heart.