Quick answer
To see Madrid in 2 days, spend the first on the city by tuk tuk (the 3-hour tour with the Bernabéu and Las Ventas), tapas in La Latina and sunset at the Temple of Debod, and the second on the Art Walk (the Prado or the Reina Sofía), Retiro Park and the lit-up evening. The 3-hour tour costs from €270 per tuk tuk for up to 4 people.
Day 1: essential Madrid
Morning: the city and both stadiums by tuk tuk
Start with the 3-hour tour from Puerta del Sol: 31 stops including the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Retiro, Calle Serrano and the Spanish Parliament, plus the two big stops, the Bernabéu and Las Ventas (photos from outside).
Lunch: tapas in La Latina
Cava Baja and the streets around it are full of taverns. It’s the place for a standing-up tapas lunch.
Afternoon: the Royal Palace or a stroll
If you like history, visit the Royal Palace inside (buy your ticket in advance and check opening times on the official website). If you’d rather take it easy, stroll through the centre to Plaza de Oriente.
Sunset and evening
Head up to the Temple of Debod for the sunset (times month by month) and then down to dinner in Malasaña or the Literary Quarter.
Day 2: art, parks and the night
Morning: the Art Walk
Pick one: the Prado Museum (Velázquez, Goya) or the Reina Sofía (Picasso’s Guernica). Buy tickets in advance and arrive early to avoid the queues.
Lunch: the Literary Quarter
It’s the neighbourhood where Cervantes and Lope de Vega lived, with terraces and set lunch menus.
Afternoon: Retiro Park
Stroll through Retiro Park, with its lake and the Crystal Palace. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021, together with the Paseo del Prado.
Evening: Madrid lit up
Finish with the night route: Madrid at night by tuk tuk or, if you’d rather have dinner on your own, a stroll along Gran Vía.
How to organise it with a tuk tuk
| Option | Tour | Up to 4 people | 5 or 6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| One tour and the rest on foot | 3 hours | €270 | €360 |
| One long day with tapas and one for museums | 5 hours | €500 | €750 |
| Tuk tuk both days (3 h and 90 min) | 3 hours + 90 minutes | €410 | €540 |
Prices are per tuk tuk and final. If you’d rather have the whole day without worrying about transport, the full-day tour is planned with you.
Tips
- Book the tuk tuk for the morning of day one: you get your bearings and decide what to revisit on day two.
- Buy museum and Royal Palace tickets in advance and check opening times on the official websites: they close one day a week.
- If you’re staying in the centre, we can pick you up at your hotel for €20 extra.
- If you have one more day, see the Madrid in one day itinerary and the guide to what to see by tuk tuk.
Official sources
- Museo Nacional del Prado
- Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
- Patrimonio Nacional (Royal Palace of Madrid)
- UNESCO: Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences
- esMadrid, Madrid’s official tourism website
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days enough to see Madrid?
For the essentials, yes: one day for the centre, the Bernabéu and tapas, and another for the museums and Retiro Park. With a tuk tuk on the first day you save hours of metro and walking.
Which tuk tuk tour should I choose if I have 2 days?
The 3-hour tour on the first day, because it covers the centre, the Bernabéu and Las Ventas. If you want tapas with your group, the 5-hour tour includes them.