Maison Privé
Updated October 2026 · By Maison Privé Experiences, private experiences in Madrid since 2019
Two days is enough to fall in love with Madrid. This itinerary is written for first-time visitors from the United States: it covers the essentials, keeps walking reasonable and explains the local habits that surprise most Americans — like dinner at 9 pm.
Start at the Royal Palace, one of the largest palaces in Europe, with the Almudena Cathedral right across the square. A private Royal Palace tour lets you see the State Rooms at your own pace.
Walk to the arcaded Plaza Mayor, then graze on tapas-style bites at the iron-and-glass Mercado de San Miguel before a proper Spanish lunch.
Jet lag hits hardest on day one. A private tuk-tuk tour with hotel pickup covers Gran Vía, Puerta del Sol and the historic center in 1–2 hours, with a local guide and photo stops.
Catch the sunset at the Templo de Debod, an Egyptian temple with views over the city, then head to La Latina for tapas on Cava Baja.
Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. With limited time, a private Prado tour shows you the masterpieces in about 90 minutes.
Rent a rowing boat on the Retiro lake and visit the Crystal Palace — a relaxed afternoon after a morning of art.
End your trip with a flamenco show with dinner, or celebrate with The Birthday Escape or a private date night if you are traveling as a couple.
A private day trip to Toledo or a romantic escape to Patones de Arriba, the most authentic village near Madrid, adds a completely different side of Spain — with a private driver, so no train schedules.
If you have a long stopover, a 1-hour or 2-hour private tuk-tuk tour with pickup at your hotel is the most efficient way to see the highlights. The airport is about 12 km from the center — see our airport transfer guide.
See the highlights in 1 to 4 hours with a local guide. Hotel pickup available. From €89 per vehicle.
See details & book →Two days is enough to see the main highlights — the Royal Palace, the Prado, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park and a tapas evening — especially if you use a private tour to save time.
Dinner usually starts around 9 pm, and lunch — the main meal — around 2 to 4 pm.
Tipping is optional. Rounding up or leaving a few euros for good service is appreciated, but it is not expected as in the United States.
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