One of the most frequently asked questions by teachers in charge of end-of-year trips is what to see in Madrid in 2 days. These trips usually do not last many days, so it becomes a priority to choose well the places and activities to do in order to make the most of the stay in the capital.
This is why we will show you a recommended itinerary to visit the best of the capital in only 48 hours. This itinerary is perfect for end-of-year trips, and will give you enough time to rest and visit most of the tourist attractions.
Suggested places to see in Madrid in 2 days.
Day 1: Visit to the Center and its monuments.
The itinerary of day 1 starts at Puerta del Sol. This iconic site and its surroundings are the perfect place to start the day. Going in the direction of Arenal street, towards Ópera, you will find the historic building of the National Theater.
Continuing in the same direction, you can visit several historical and important places in the city, such as the Plaza de Oriente, the Royal Palace, and the amazing Sabatini Gardens and the Royal Palace.
Next, walk in the direction of the Plaza Mayor. One of the peculiarities of this square is that in its surroundings you will find an interesting variety of tapas and beer bars.
You can make a short stop to try the famous squid sandwich. If you have enough time, we recommend a visit to the San Miguel market, which is very close by.
Then, if you go down the opposite entrance to the one you entered, in 10 minutes you can reach the important neighborhood of La Latina. This neighborhood has the best tapas bars in the city, so it is a fantastic opportunity to taste the Madrid gastronomy.
You will also be able to visit the crowded squares and the great Mercado de la Cebada. If you want to walk a little further, you can go to the Vistillas Gardens, for an amazing view of Madrid.
Shopping and tapas.
In the afternoon, we will return again to the Sol, going up Calle Preciados. In this street we can make a short stop to buy souvenirs or any other item until we reach Plaza de Callao and Gran Via.
We will continue the tour along Gran Via, to reach the Plaza de España, the largest square in Madrid. Finally, we recommend you to finish the day in the nearby neighborhood of Malasaña.
From 8 p.m. onwards, the neighborhood gets very lively, filling up with people where the bars and terraces provide an incredible atmosphere. In the hundreds of bars in what is considered the trendiest neighborhood of the city, you can immerse yourself in Madrid’s gastronomy and end the day perfectly.
Day 2: A cultural tour.
What else can you visit in Madrid in only 2 days? This time, the famous Atocha station will be the starting point for the second day’s itinerary, because the station building is historic.
One of the advantages of starting the day at the station is that we have several options within reach. From there you can visit the Retiro Park, just go up the Cuesta de Moyano.
This is one of the places of greatest learning for an end-of-year trip, where you will find first and second-hand book stalls. Also the visit to the museum of the famous triangle Thyssen, Prado and Reina Sofia is an ideal option in this area.
You can also go to the botanical garden, which has free admission on Tuesdays. Visiting the botanical garden is one of the best experiences to see in Madrid in 2 days, since the beauty of the place is wonderful.
The itinerary continues along the Paseo del Prado, to visit the two most important fountains in the capital: the fountain of Cibeles and the fountain of Neptune.
We continue with a monumental visit, strolling quietly through the streets of the important neighborhood of Las Letras, one of the oldest and most important in Madrid. Another good option is to move from Atocha to the Lavapies neighborhood, which is characterized by its multicultural atmosphere and varied culinary offerings.
What else to see in Madrid in 2 days?
If the school group plans to spend more than 2 days in the capital, an alternative is to take advantage of the following days to go on excursions to the outskirts of the city, in the mountains of Madrid or to neighboring towns and villages. The favorite options are to visit Avila, Toledo, Alcala de Henares, Aranjuez or El Escorial.
Students may also find it fun to spend a day visiting Madrid’s theme parks, such as Parque Europa, Parque Warner or Parque de Atracciones.
Finally, for soccer lovers there are the options of visiting the most important stadiums in Madrid: the Santiago Bernabeu and the stadium of Atletico Madrid: the Wanda Matropolitano.
You may also be interested in:
Excursions for a school trip to Salou: 5 recommendations.
The best excursions for a school trip to Barcelona.
Visiting Barcelona on a school trip: 4 important reasons.
How to organize a successful end-of-year trip to Barcelona.
The 5 most important neighborhoods in Barcelona
School trip to Barcelona: 10 experiences you must live.
