Day 1, morning: Habsburg Madrid
Leave the hotel towards Puerta del Sol (an 8-minute walk) and look for the Kilometre Zero plaque. From there, Calle Mayor takes you to Plaza Mayor: get there before ten to see it almost empty, and try a calamari sandwich if you dare at that hour. Continue to the Mercado de San Miguel and finish at Plaza de la Villa, one of the oldest corners of the city.
Day 1, afternoon: Royal Palace and sunset
The Royal Palace is 12 minutes from the hotel. Book an afternoon visit and, afterwards, head to the Sabatini Gardens or the Temple of Debod for one of the most famous sunsets in Madrid. For dinner, go down to La Latina: Cava Baja is home to some of the city’s most traditional taverns.
Day 2, morning: the Art Walk
Spend the morning at the Prado Museum (a 20-minute walk or two metro stops). If you still have energy, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofía are on the same boulevard. Afterwards, enter the Retiro Park through Puerta de Alcalá, rent a rowing boat on the lake and look for the Crystal Palace.
Day 2, evening: Gran Vía lights up
Head back towards the hotel as evening falls: Gran Vía lights up and the theatres open their doors. Go up to the Lumen Rooftop for a cocktail overlooking the domes and, if you fancy ending the trip in style, ask our concierge for tickets to a musical. You will be less than five minutes from the theatre.
Lumen tip: the tourist travel card is worth it if you take the metro more than four times a day; otherwise, this whole route can be done on foot.
