Are you planning a trip to Barcelona and thinking about taking a day trip from Barcelona to Madrid? The idea of trying to fit in and explore Spain’s capital city in just a short period of time might seem overwhelming. I do recommend staying at least one night to truly experience as much of the city as possible. Spain was the first European country that I visited and I definitely recommend it if it’s your first international trip!

There are so many art galleries, restaurants, theaters, and things to do in Madrid, it may seem impossible to experience Madrid in 24 hours. With the right itinerary and some insider tips, you can experience the best Madrid has to offer.

In this blog, I’ll walk you through the itinerary I followed during my day trip from Barcelona to Madrid. From the second you step off the AVE high-speed train at Madrid’s Atocha Station to your landmarks like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, I’ve got you covered!

Day Trip From Barcelona to Madrid: Transportation

Getting around in Spain is very easy and depending on your preference you have several convenient options to choose from on your day trip to Madrid. My recommendation is to take the train as it’s a fast and affordable option. However, I totally understand the convenience of having a car to drive yourself. If you do choose to rent a car, I recommend staying longer than 24 hours to make the drive worth it.

Let’s dive into all the options so you can choose which mode of transportation is best for you on your day trip from Barcelona to Madrid.

Taking the Train

EST. Duration: 2.5 hours minimum depending on how many stops

If you haven’t traveled through Europe by train, it’s an experience you won’t really find too many places in the U.S. Yes, there are trains in the States but it’s not the normal mode of transportation. The AVE Spanish high-speed rail also known as “a bullet train” connects major cities in the country allowing you to travel quickly.

You’ll book your train ticket with Rail Europe. From Barcelona, you’ll book from the Barcelona-Sants train station to the Madrid-Puerta De Atocha train station.

You are able to book your tickets the day of but they will most likely be more expensive. I booked the week of because I wanted the flexibility in my schedule but if you’re looking to save money, I’d book at least a month in advance.

Renting a Car

EST. Duration: 6.5 hours

Renting a car for your day trip from Barcelona to Madrid is a great option if you are looking for the flexibility and freedom to take your time and make stops to see other sites and towns along the way. It is the more expensive option but could be worth it if you’d like to be on your time or your stop in Madrid is part of a larger road trip in Spain. If it is, consider making a stop in the beautiful city of Segovia, just an hour outside of Madrid.

Book your car here:
Using this search engine, find a car rental place close to where you’re staying in Barcelona. You’ll find rental cars from the top car rental companies, so you can compare prices.

Applying for an International Drivers License:
If you’d like to drive in Spain, you’ll need to obtain an International Drivers License (IDP). Getting an IDP is super easy. You’ll go to the AAA website to apply. They will ask you to download an application and take it to a local AAA office. When you go into the office you’ll need to bring your original passport photos if you have them (AAA can take new ones) and your U.S. driver’s license. It costs only $20 to cover the permit fee.

You also have the option of applying by mail but make sure to allow time for shipping. Permits can’t be issued more than 6 months in advance of the trip that you will need it to be effective for.

Taking the Bus

EST. Duration: 8 hours – may fluctuate depending on stops

Another option is to take the public bus from Barcelona to Madrid. This is an affordable option however will take the longest for you to get there. Tickets are occasionally more expensive than train tickets and the train will get you there in half the time so the bus would not be my go-to option. This could be a great option if you don’t want to drive but want the flexibility to make stops in different towns along the way – you will just need to book your tickets accordingly.

Book your Bus Ticket Here:
Use the search engine below to book your bus ticket for your day trip from Barcelona to Madrid:

Of all your transportation options, I recommend booking the high-speed train in order to spend more time in Madrid and not on the road. A car or a bus are great options if you plan on spending more than one day in Madrid or if it’s a stop on a longer road trip through Spain.

Where to Stay in Madrid

Because I only stayed in Madrid for 24 hours, I stayed near Puerta del Sol. There are so many amazing areas to stay in Madrid but staying in Puerta del Sol will put you in the middle of the city and near plenty of public transportation to get around quickly. Here are a few places you can stay while you’re there!

Luxury hotels in Madrid

• The Madrid EDITION
• Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
• JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

Budget hotels in Madrid

• Chic & Basic dot
• Room007 Ventura Hostel
• Casa du Soleil

Book a VRBO

If you’re looking for a rental equipped with a fully functional kitchen and all the comforts of a traditional home, consider booking a VRBO! If you plan on staying 3-4 weeks, you’ll see there are monthly discounts on longer stays.

24-Hour Madrid Itinerary

Now to get into the fun part of planning your day trip from Barcelona to Madrid! There are so many different things you can do, so I hope to give you a solid framework to help decide what to do, where to go, and what to eat if you are only going to be in Madrid for a day or two.

I had such a short amount of time in Madrid but felt like I experienced it the best I could in the time I had. Get ready to experience the beautiful city of Madrid.

Day 1

Morning

Once you get to Madrid and settle into your accommodation, you’ll want to make your way to El Retiro Park. If you are staying near Puerta de Sol, you’ll be able to easily access to Sol subway station where you can hop on a quick 4 minute subway ride that will drop you off in the park. Get Directions.

TIP: Check out ticket fares and public transportation passes here. They also have machines where you can purchase your ticket when you enter the station. We never paid more than a few U.S. dollars per person to ride.

Once you’re at El Retiro Park, stroll through the beautiful pathways of the park where you’ll see sculptures and monuments, enjoy the pretty views of the Estanque Grande de El Retiro (Great Pond of El Retiro), or see the beautiful Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace). The park also offers boating or segway tours if you plan on going in the summertime.

If it’s still early and you need a pick me up after walking through the park, walk over to Plenti for a coffee! It took us a while to get through the park and didn’t get done until early afternoon so we stopped in at El 17 de Moreto for some lunch.

Afternoon

From there, you’ll walk over to the Prado Museum and spend a couple of hours exploring the large collection of European art. Make sure to check out some of the more famous pieces, such as Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez and The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch.

At this point in the day, you’ve been walking a lot! Before getting ready for dinner, I suggest taking an afternoon siesta at your hotel or finding a nearby cafe or bar to get off your feet for a bit!

Evening

In Spain, if you try walking into a restaurant at 5 pm you may get some looks. Restaurants might even be closed! You’ll notice the dinner crowd really doesn’t start until 7:30 – 8 pm or even later. If you’re like me and your bedtime is 9 pm, this may be an adjustment!

Tip: If you are from the United States, you’ll be used to the server checking in on you regularly. This is not the case in Spain! You’ll wave them down when you are ready to order or pay your check. They never want you to feel rushed by the waiter. If you are in a hurry, you can ask for the bill when you order your final thing so they come out at the same time.

Here are a few of my favorite dinner options:

• Doña Luz Restaurante | Spanish and Mediterranean
• Oven Mozzarella Gran Vía 55 | Italian
• Arrocería Marina Ventura | Spanish (go here if you want paella!)
• El Sur | Tapas Bar

If you are looking for more tapas, check out the best tapas in Cava Baja Madrid. This is a famous street in Madrid known for its tapas bars and restaurants.

After dinner, you’ll have to go to a Flamenco show! The music and dance tell beautiful stories with lots of emotion. Guitars play, singers sing strong, heartfelt songs, and dancers stomp and move in a powerful way. It’s so much fun to experience and helps you feel connected to Spanish culture.

Day 2

Morning

Once you’ve gotten a good night’s rest, you’ll want to find some breakfast! We ate at the restaurant connected to our hotel, Naked & Sated, which is open to the public if you’re not staying at Chic & Basic dot. They had delicious food and coffee! A few other great breakfast options are HanSo Café or La Rollerie.

Tip: If you need to check out from your hotel or rental before it’s time to go back to Barcelona or on to your next destination you’ll need somewhere to put your luggage so you don’t have to carry it around town. If you plan on staying at a hotel, you should be able to check your luggage at the front desk. If you are looking to stay at an Airbnb or VRBO, I’d look for a rental that has luggage storage post checkout.

I am not a big shopper but shopping is something you cannot miss in Spain so leave a little extra room in your suitcase for your return trip! We hit the shops for several hours in our short time in Madrid. You could find us in Zara, Pull&Bear, and Mango. We also made a few stops at El Corte Inglés, Madrid’s famous department store. If you’re there on a Sunday, make sure to stop in at the El Rastro flea market!

Afternoon

For lunch, make your way to Vallehermoso Market which is about a 30 minute walk from the city center. This market is a traditional Spanish food market as well as a modern eatery where you can find food from restaurants around the world. As you make your way back from the market, take some time to sightsee!

Must see landmarks in Madrid:

• Royal Palace of Madrid
• Puerta de Alcalá Monument
• Plaza Mayor
• Catedral de la Almudena