Timeline
16:57
Grab a quick bite or coffee at the ornate Mercado de San Miguel. The iron posts and high-quality food stalls are easy to spot, and it is a perfect way to start the late afternoon without waiting for a table.
17:27
Walk to Plaza de España. The square is dominated by the red-and-white Edificio España and the taller Torre de Madrid. Arriving an hour before sunset gives you time to find a good spot near the fountain to watch the sky change.
18:12
Watch the sunset. The sun sets toward the WSW, framing the square perfectly against the backdrop of the two tall buildings. This is the key moment of the plan.
18:57
End the evening with chocolate con churros at Chocolatería San Ginés. It is open 24/7, so you can stop here anytime after your sunset view to warm up with Madrid’s most famous treat.
Local tip
Mercado de San Miguel is busiest around lunch and dinner. Coming early ensures you can grab food quickly without a queue.
Check before you go
- Mercado de San Miguel is open Mo-We 10:00-24:00; Th-Sa 10:00-02:00; Su 10:00-24:00.
- Chocolatería San Ginés is open 24/7.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Madrid (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).