Madrid in 24 hours
A compact Madrid day using the art triangle, Retiro, historic squares, and relaxed evening food stops.
Morning: the Prado
Start with a focused route through the Prado before crowds build, choosing a few rooms rather than the whole collection.
Midday: palace and old town
Walk to the Royal Palace, then into Plaza Mayor and the old-town streets for lunch and a slower exploration of central Madrid.
Evening: Retiro and tapas
Reset in Retiro Park late afternoon, then move into a tapas crawl. Madrid’s evenings are long, so let dinner stretch out.