Visiting Madrid but short on time? Whether you’re about to take a connecting flight or are in town for a conference at IFEMA, there are ways to maximise your precious few hours. All the itineraries suggested here take into account transport links ensuring you can easily whizz back to the airport at the end of a short layover.

Four-hour layover: Beautiful parks and a medieval castle

Right by Barajas Airport in the northeast of Madrid is a medieval castle and two spacious parks: Parque Juan Carlos I and Parque del Capricho. To get to this tranquil area, simply jump in a taxi. The journey takes just five minutes. Here you can visit the 15th-century castle of Alameda before taking a stroll around the Parque Juan Carlos I. The area is even better on a weekend when you can enter the Parque del Capricho, the Duke and Duchess of Osuna’s beautifully landscaped pleasure gardens. While entrance is free, picnics are strictly forbidden. Bear in mind that if you’re taking public transport, skip to the next option: this area is best reached by car.

Five-hour layover: Luxury shopping and a fabulous museum

Use that extra hour to take the metro to Nuevos Ministerios. It’s a short 18-minute journey – though do factor in walking time from your terminal to the metro. The connecting station for lines going into the city centre, Nuevos Ministerios has some great attractions with the added bonus that you only need to take one train to get back to Barajas Airport. If shopping for luxury brands is your thing, El Corte Inglés Castellana is right by the station and offers tax refund assistance for international travellers.

There is also a brilliant museum nearby. The Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (natural sciences museum) is perfect if you have kids in tow. The huge 19th-century redbrick Palace of Arts and Industry is filled with dinosaur bones and interactive displays. It’s also got a great cafe out front and a fabulous garden out back that many visitors miss.

Seven-hour layover: Stadium tour and foodie adventure

Two smashing destinations are just a 15-minute walk from Nuevos Ministerios station: Bernabéu Stadium and Calle Ponzano. North up Calle Castellana is Real Madrid’s stadium. Tours of this world-famous arena can be booked in advance via Real Madrid’s website.

Foodies should head southwest to Calle Ponzano. Filled with bars and taverns, this is one of Madrid’s most famous streets to go tapeando (tapas hopping). It’s also right by the amazing geological museum and the Canal de Isabel II exhibition hall, both housed in incredible buildings that are as interesting as the items on display.

Eight-hour layover: Visit Retiro Park & the Art Museums

With a bit more time to play with, you can take the bus from just outside the airport directly to Atocha Station or if you’re arriving in T4, simply take the Cercanías train straight there. Top tip: don’t bother with ticket machines, you can touch your card in at the ticket gate or on the bus to pay for your trip.

Atocha sits at the foot of Madrid’s amazing museum district and the glorious Retiro Park. Closest to the station is Madrid’s modern art gallery, the Reina Sofia, home to Picasso’s Guernica. Buy tickets in advance for any of the museums so you don’t waste time queuing. The Prado is a 15-minute walk away as is Retiro Park and my audio tour of Retiro on Voicemap is a great way to get to know the park.

Twelve-hour layover: Find out about Madrid’s history

Those staying overnight get the opportunity to go that bit deeper and a tour of the city’s oldest sights is a great way to get to grips with the capital’s history. I usually advise first-timers to take my Early Years tour which gives visitors an overview of Madrid’s history, but I also do off-the-beaten-track tours of Lavapiés and Malasaña which are popular with people coming to the city for a second time.

Timewise you’re best booking a tour early in the morning when there are fewer people around – I’m an early riser so can be counted on for a 9am start – or during lunch hours (2-4pm). After, you can easily jump in a cab to the airport, though try to avoid rush hours (7.30-9.30am or 6-8pm). Cabs to the airport from the city centre cost a flat fee of €30 and usually take between 20 to 30 minutes.

Visiting Madrid and want to find out more? I can be booked for private tours. I’m the writer of Lonely Planet’s Pocket Guide to Madrid and the upcoming Madrid guide so I know quite a bit about Spain’s capital and love sharing my knowledge on a tour. Get in touch to find out more.