Sunday in Madrid? Here's the Perfect Way to Spend it!

Spending a Sunday in Madrid, but not sure how to spend it? You’re in the right place! If this is your first time visiting Spain, you probably just found out that on Sundays, everything closes. However, being in the incredible capital city, you can rest assured there is plenty to do and see!😍

As a celiac traveler, this perfect Sunday introduces you to a “Madrid sin gluten“, aka gluten free Madrid. Madrid is the perfect destination for foodies, and you will find incredible restaurants at every corner. Due to this, I’ll insert my gluten free Madrid recommendations in this itinerary – but feel free to eat at the restaurants of your choosing!🫶

Without further ado, here is the itinerary to a perfect Sunday in Madrid – along some additional options!😍👇

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Here’s a Sunday in Madrid You Won’t Forget

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Go out for Brunch

Street view of a gluten-free bakery in Madrid named Celicioso. The storefront features large windows displaying baked goods, hanging lights, and a sign above the entrance. There's a small plant display to the right of the door and a sidewalk in front. If you're celiac, this place is the best place to start your Sunday in Madrid

A plate with Tostada con Tomate y Aceite sin gluten - "two gluten free slices of toast with tomato and olive oil". A fork and knife are on the plate. In the background, there's a glass with more tomato spread and a container with sugar packets on a wooden table. This is the perfect Sunday brunch in Madrid

In Spain, there is no better way to start a Sunday than with a long, and delicious, brunch.

There are so many places to go for brunch in Madrid, and two foods that are musts are Churros con Chocolate, or, my favorite, Tostada con Tomate y Aceite. Tostada con tomate is a beloved toast with crushed tomatoes and olive oil.

If you are celiac, head to one of the locations of Celicioso – a 100% gluten free bakery and cafe. I strongly recommend getting a Cafe con Leche (basically a Latte) and a Tostada con Tomate. If you’re craving churros and chocolate, then go to Churrería Chocolatería 1902, which offers both gluten free churros and tostadas!

Not celiac or gluten free? Here are 26 best brunch spots recommended by a Madrid local, Gabi! Check out her travel blog for more Spain travels and moving-to-Spain insights.🇪🇸

In the early morning hours, Madrid remains fairly quiet and peaceful. Then, around 10 or 11 am, things start to pickup and the city comes to life as locals meet up with family and/or friends. At this time, whether it’s before or after your brunch, I highly recommend slowing down.

Why? Because when you slow down, you start to notice people sharing a laughter, catching up with loved ones, and bonding over their food. The vibes of Sunday brunch in Madrid are so wonderful, you’ll wish you could experience them every day.🥹

El Rastro Market | The famous Sunday market in Madrid

Two people stand in front of a flea market stall filled with various items, including framed paintings, hats, and antique trinkets. The stall is under an awning, and numerous objects are displayed on tables and shelves. This stall is part of the Mercado el Rastro, the famous Sunday Market in Madrid. This is the perfect way to start your Sunday in Madrid

Two people browse outside a small shop filled with various items, including paintings, dolls, and trinkets. The red building exterior features a balcony with decorative flowers. The scene captures an eclectic, vibrant street market atmosphere. This stall is part of the Mercado el Rastro, the famous Sunday Market in Madrid. This is the perfect way to start your Sunday in Madrid

Now that you’ve filled your tummy with delicious foods and are charged up, head to the Mercado el Rastro, the famous Sunday Market in Madrid.

Located in La Latina neighborhood, this beloved Sunday market is full of vendors that sell all sorts of antiques. Some goodies you can expect to find are vintage sunglasses, lots of vintage watches, old fancy pens (including Montblanc), vintage toys, and more.

This market has quite the character, in the best way, and it’s definitely worth checking out. The Mercado el Rastro is open every Sunday from 8:30 AM to 3 PM!

2 Important Tips. Bring Cash and keep your bags close to you. Due to how many people visit this market, there is always a risk of pickpockets.

Real Basilica de San Francisco El Grande

A large yellow and gray domed church with multiple towers stands behind a garden. The garden features a circular flower bed with red and green plants, surrounded by greenery and a lamp post. The sky above is clear and blue. This building is the Real Basilica de San Francisco El Grande.

Just a few steps away from Mercado El Rastro is the beautiful Basilica de San Francisco El Grande.

Dating back to the 18th century, this Basilica is famous for it’s mesmerizing interior, including the Dome, and works of art. Inside, you will find masterpieces by Goya and Zurbarán, two important and world-renowned Spanish painters.

As a fun fact, this basilica’s dome is the largest in all of Spain, and the 4th largest in Europe – following St Peter’s Basilica, Rome’s Pantheon, and the Florence Duomo.

The Basilica is free to enter, but remember to be quiet and respectful if there is mass going on.

Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol

View of Puerta del Sol in Madrid, featuring the iconic Tío Pepe sign atop a building. A statue stands prominently in the foreground, surrounded by classic European architecture under a partly cloudy sky. This square is a must visit in Madrid

These neighboring squares are two of the best, and most iconic, to visit when in Madrid.

Puerta del Sol is the biggest and main square, where you will find all sorts of stores and restaurants.

Plaza Mayor, on the other hand, is a beautiful square enclosed by a group of buildings that create a rectangular shape. The buildings here have a beautiful red color with frescos, bringing more color to this city.

Tip. In Plaza Mayor you will mainly find touristic shops and restaurants. While it’s a must visit, I recommend saving your food and shopping money for a different area!

Lunch at Senza Glutine di Grosso Napoletano

A round, black sign with white letters hangs on a building. It reads "Grosso Napoletano." The sign is mounted on a beige wall above a partially visible storefront with additional signage. This particular location of this restaurant chain is 100% gluten free.

Three gluten free pizzas on a wooden table: one with salami and cheese, another with various cheeses and a basil garnish, and the third with mushrooms and cheese. A water bottle and glass are in the background. This is the perfect Sunday lunch in Madrid.

On a day full of (relaxing) adventures, what better way to fuel up than with a delicious pizza?😍

Grosso Napoletano is a beloved pizza restaurant amongst locals and tourists alike, and there are plenty of locations to eat at. Senza Glutine di Grosso Napoletano, is the same restaurant but 100% gluten free.

Tip. Sunday is the day where everyone goes out to eat. With that said, make sure to make your reservations well in advance. If the restaurant says it’s booked, head to the restaurant in person and confirm directly with them, because many times they overestimate.

Want more options? Check out all the Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Madrid 😋

Royal Palace (Finsih)

One of the must-visits and best things to do in Madrid is visit the Palacio Real, Royal Palace.

As a fun fact, the Royal Palace is the largest palace in Western Europe and one of the largest in the world. Within this palace you will get to admire the Private Royal Apartments, the main staircase, art works, and so much more.

There’s only a couple of spots where photography is allowed, keeping the inside of the Royal Palace a beautiful secret.

Tip. On Sundays, the Royal Palace is open from 10 AM to 3 PM and books out really quick, so make sure to book your tickets today or well in advance!👇

Campo del Moro (Hidden Gem)

The Royal Palace of Madrid stands majestically under a clear blue sky, surrounded by lush gardens, Campo del Moro, with people strolling on the path. Autumn trees with golden leaves frame the scene. This Madrid hidden gem allows you to escape the city and slow down.

A decorative two-tiered stone fountain, Fuente de las Conchas, with intricate sculptures stands in a park. Figures support the tiers, and additional statues sit around its base. Tall trees with autumn foliage surround the fountain against a clear blue sky. This fountain is found in Campo del Moro, a Madrid hidden gem that allows you to escape the city and slow down.

Campo del Moro is a breathtaking hidden gem of a park that hides “below” the Palacio Real de Madrid. This history behind this park dates back as far as the 12th century, but was created by Philip II in the 16th century.

This park is free to enter and is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM. Some highlights to check out are the Fuente de las Conchas, Paseo de los Plátanos, and Paseo de Damas.

Being the hidden gem that it is, this park is the perfect city-escape and place to slow down after a day of adventures. Here you will find both people and some peacocks strolling around, others resting on benches or laying in the fresh grass.

Personal Note. As someone who partially grew up in Maine, this park brought me such comfort through it’s nature and autumn foliage.🥹

Sunset at Templo de Debod (Hidden Gem)

Templo de Debod is an authentic Egyptian temple that is over 2,200 years old – making it the oldest building in Madrid. Apparently, the Egyptian government donated this temple to Spain to avoid any damages due to potential floodings “after the construction of the great Aswan Dam” (Esmadrid).

This area, thanks to its incredible positioning and viewpoint, has become a really famous spot for people, locals and tourists alike. People come here for picnics, to catch up with loved ones, watch sunsets, or simply take in the incredible vibes!😍

Here you will find at least one street singer performing, which at sunset time really invites people to gather and sing, or dance, together.

Walk the Gran Via

Often nicknamed the “Broadway of Spain”, Gran Via truly fits its name – “Great Way”.

This is the most famous and iconic street in Madrid, with endless restaurants, theaters, and shops sitting on its sides. To confirm, Gran Via is a street, but due to all the things to do and see there, people often refer to it more as an area.

The best part of Gran Via can be experienced when you slow down and look up to admire the architecture – there’s truly nothing quite like it! Along with the incredible architecture, you can also find beautiful street art, and ornate iron work.

Dinner at Casa San Juan

Facade of "Casa San Juan" restaurant with red signage and glowing yellow lights. The entrance features glass double doors. Various menus and signs are displayed outside. A tree with green leaves is in the foreground. This is a 100% gluten free restaurant in Madrid / sin gluten.

A gray plate with gluten free Cachopo, Spain's version of Cordon Bleu, filled with melted cheese, ham, and a green pepper on top. Served alongside crispy golden fries and blistered green shishito peppers. The background features a wooden table and another plate of food. Trying a Cachopo sin gluten in Madrid is a must!

Casa San Juan is a 100% gluten free restaurant that cooks traditional Spanish cuisine. Here you will find everything from Cachopo (pictured) to Croquetas, to burgers, and more!

I personally recommend ordering their Cachopo – a beloved Spanish dish that’s hard to find gluten free. Cachopo is essentially Spain’s take on “cordon bleu” – it’s a fried veal steak stuffed with jamón and cheese. Their cachopo, as a cherry on top, even includes some truffle!😍

Dessert at Kala Frozen Yogurt

I’ve grown up eating Frozen Yogurt left and right in both Italy and the US, and let me tell you… Kala Frozen Yogurt is the BEST froyo I’ve ever had in my life! I’d go as far as calling it life-changing.😂😍

I personally got the medium cup with Pistachio sauce and fresh strawberries, and I may or may not have eaten this every night I was in Madrid… #WeListen&WeDon’tJudge

Additional Things to Do in Madrid on a Sunday

Museo del Prado

Museo del Prado is one of the most important art museums in the world, where you find over 8,600 paintings and 700 statues.

Out of the art museums I’ve visited, including the Uffizzi Gallery in Florence, this is my personal favorite. Why? Because there is a “no photography/videos” rule, which forces you to be off your phone and to really dive into the art that surrounds you.

On Sundays, Museo del Prado offers free entry from 5 to 7 PM. It’s important to note that the lines for free entry are insanely long, meaning you should line up at 4:30 PM, if not earlier to avoid waiting for hours.

If you don’t care about paying for tickets, but do care about crowds, I’d recommend visiting on a weekday. These tickets sell out really quickly and early on, so make sure to book your tickets today or asap!👇

Parque del Retiro

People are enjoying a sunny day on a lake in front of the Monument to Alfonso XII in Retiro Park, Madrid. Small boats float on the water, El Estanque Grande, and lush trees surround the area under a clear blue sky.

Parque del Retiro, a short walk from Museo del Prado, is Madrid’s most famous and largest park.

Known as the Green Lungs of Madrid, Parque del Retiro is a green oasis where locals and tourists alike go for a city-break, and to slow down. Here you will find people enjoying their free time in different ways – from peaceful strolls to running, reading a book, having a picnic, and so forth.

Some highlights to look out for are the lake, El Estanque Grande, Palacio de Cristal, and La Rosaleda. A popular activity is renting a small row boat and rowing on the El Estanque Grande. This activity costs 6 euros on weekdays, and 8 euros on weekends.

Sunday in Madrid FAQs

Is Sunday a good day to visit Madrid?

Sunday is a wonderful day to visit Madrid! Due to many businesses being closed, you will be able to slow down and dive deeper into this city. For example, you will be able to have a long brunch, enjoy peaceful strolls in the beloved parks, or stay for hours in beloved art museums.

Are places open in Madrid on Sunday?

Being the capital of Spain, Madrid tends to have more open businesses than lesser-visited destinations.

What is open in Madrid on Sunday?

Besides the Mercado el Rastro, there are plenty of Food Markets open on Sundays, as well as some shops around Gran Via, and museums. Museums open include the Museo del Prado and the Royal Palace.

What is the best area in Madrid to stay?

If this is your first time visiting Madrid, or you’re short on time, the best area to stay in the city center – Sol-Granvia and Madrid de los Austrias. These two areas are the most central, making all the surrounding highlights more accessible and a shorter walk away.

If you want to be in a more quiet area and don’t mind a longer walk from the center, the Retiro and Barrio del las Letras are incredible options.

Want more help with your travels? Check out my Posts!

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A street market stall in Madrid displaying various vintage items, including hats and framed pictures. Two people are browsing the stall. A sign above reads "How to Spend the Perfect Sunday in Madrid.

A collage of Madrid featuring the Schweppes sign, a table with pizzas, an outdoor market stall, and the Royal Palace. The text reads "How to Spend a Sunday in Madrid: From the Famous Sunday Market to Hidden Gems.

I have to ask…

Are you excited for your Sunday in Madrid? Which of these Sunday activities are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments!😊

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How to Spend the Perfect Sunday in Madrid, Spain