The capital of Spain conjures up all sorts of adjectives, but one comes to mind above all: livable. Every time you visit Madrid, you seriously dream of moving there. With its stunning architecture, delicious food, affordable prices, excellent transport system and endless fun things to do, spending even 3 days in Madrid is an opportunity you should take.
3-day itinerary in Madrid
If it's your first time in the city, this 3-day itinerary in Madrid will help you see the best of the sights in Spain's capital, while leaving you plenty of time to gorge on Spanish food along the way.
- Day 1 Madrid Itinerary: Familiarisation + Main Sights
- Day 2 Madrid Itinerary: Art + Retiro Park + Gran Via
- Day 3 Madrid Itinerary: Barrio de la Latina + Day trip to Toledo
When planning your 3-day itinerary in Madrid, keep in mind that the best way to discover the city is to get on Spanish time, and I don't just mean switching your phone's time zone.
Madrid is a late city. Dinner at 9 or 10pm is normal and good luck finding a table at 7pm. If you do, you will probably be alone in the restaurant. If you like nightlife, the clubs start after midnight.
I often recommend waking up early when exploring European cities to see them at their best, but Madrid is different. Photographers will always want to get up with the sun for the beautiful morning light.
Day 1 Madrid Itinerary: Familiarisation + Main Sights
Start your day with a typical Madrid breakfast. Sweet or savoury, take your pick: typical Spanish breakfasts in Madrid can include sweet pastries, olive oil toast, tomato toast or even, if you are feeling particularly greedy, chocolate churros.
Personally, I would recommend airing out at least some nutrients at breakfast: toast served with olive oil and tomato, accompanied by coffee, of course, is a fabulous way to start your 3-day itinerary in Madrid.
There are many fabulous places to have brunch in Madrid! If you are looking for a tasty and convenient place for breakfast, we can recommend el bus.
Head to the Plaza Mayor. Once the centre of Madrid, and still the city's main square, the Plaza Mayor is a must-see in Madrid!
Incredibly beautiful and ornate, the square is lined with shops and restaurants, and in the centre is a statue of a man on horseback (you'll see many of these in Madrid, this one is of King Philip III).
Enjoy a walk around the square and make sure you keep an eye out for festivals or events! You can stumble across everything from a holiday celebration to small political events in the Plaza Mayor.
Visit Madrid's Royal Palace
Madrid's magnificent Royal Palace is not only beautiful to look at, it is still very much in use, this palace is the official residence of the King of Spain and his family, although they don't actually live there (at nearly 1,500,000 square feet, it's too much for modern day use!).
However, the palace is still used for state ceremonies and is definitely worth a visit during your 3 days in Madrid.
Here are a few things you should not miss:
- The Gardens
The royal palace is home to some truly beautiful gardens, be sure to visit in particular the Sabatini gardens, which are free to visit and offer a great view of the palace.
- The Cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral, like some of Spain's other famous cathedrals, took a long time to build.
Construction began in 1879 and was completed just 114 years later in 1993. Admittedly, there was quite a long pause in construction due to the Spanish Civil War, but it was still quite a project.
The end result is modern, beautiful and worth a visit on your trip to Madrid!
- The interior
The interior of the Royal Palace is a beautifully beautiful place, and like many palaces, it is also a bit of an informal art museum, with works by famous Spanish artists such as Goya and Velázquez hanging on the walls, and rooms such as the throne room, royal flats, and the banqueting hall are all superb and can be visited.
The Plaza España
After leaving the area surrounding the palace, stroll down to the charming and peaceful Plaza España for the beautiful view of the city and the opportunity to rest for a moment if you wish.
Visit the Temple of Debod
Built in the 2nd century BC in Egypt, the Templo de Debod was donated to Madrid by the Egyptian government in the 20th century.
The Templo de Debod offers a unique opportunity to see an intact Egyptian temple during your stay in Spain, and it is free to visit!
The park in which the temple is located is also a lovely and peaceful place to visit, so be sure to walk to the edge behind the temple to enjoy the view of the Spanish countryside! End your first day in Madrid with a tapas tour.
Madrid and tapas: it's hard to imagine a more suitable pairing
Tapas: small bites of food included in the price of a drink in Spanish bars. They are extremely popular throughout Spain, and Madrid is no exception.
Joining a tapas tour on your first of 3 days in Madrid ensures that you gain new knowledge and familiarity with the area so that you can better enjoy your second two nights independently. Plus, the food tours are great fun!
This tapas tour is incredibly affordable and receives incredible reviews, making it the perfect way to enjoy your first night in Madrid!
Day 2 Madrid Itinerary: Art + Retiro Park + Gran Via
Start your morning with a visit to the Prado. The largest and one of the best museums in Madrid, the Prado houses an absolutely phenomenal art collection.
If you're the kind of person who wants to see the Louvre in Paris and the Uffizi in Florence, the Prado is a must see during your 3 days in Madrid.
Focusing on European art from the 12th to the 20th century, the Prado is best known for its collections of Spanish artists Francisco Goya and Diego Velázquez (including Velázquez's masterpiece, Las Meninas).
Like most art museums of its calibre in Europe, the queues at the Prado become extremely long, so it is highly recommended that you book skip-the-line tickets before you arrive.
If you are interested in learning more about the works as well as the context behind them, strongly consider booking a well-guided tour of the Prado to get the most out of your visit.
Take your time to explore Retiro Park. Retiro Park is one of the world's favourite parks: it's beautiful, it's laid-back, it's relaxing and there are plenty of interesting things to do in it.
The Retiro is certainly worth more than a quick walk, here are some things to consider in the park.
The Retiro Park Lake + rowboats
The Retiro Park lake may be man-made, but it's always a pleasure to row on a sunny summer day.
While you're visiting the lake, be sure to look out over the water to notice the very recognisable monument to King Alfonso XII. If you've ever seen pictures of Retiro Park, you've probably seen this monument before!
Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens
Checkerboard paths, beautiful sculpted trees, pretty flowers and fountains, and peacocks. The Cecilio Rodríguez Gardens are a must-see in Retiro Park if you want to see some beautiful birds!
The Crystal Palace
The Palacio Cristal, or glass palace, is one of the most recognisable features of Retiro Park, and is well worth seeing in person.
Built as a conservatory in the late 19th century, it no longer serves its original purpose today, but is instead used for temporary art exhibitions. You never really know what you'll find in the building when you stop by!
Statue Walk (Paseo de la Argentina)
The walk in this part of the Retiro is beautiful in itself, but if you like nature combined with art, the walk is also lined with statues of Spanish kings from the 18th century.
Puerta de Alcalá
Stop at the Puerta de Alcalá. Built in the 18th century and located in the Plaza de la Independencia, the Puerta de Alcalá is Madrid's triumphal arch, Spain's answer to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Arc de Triomphe takes after the Puerta de Alcalá, as the Puerta de Alcalá came first!)
The neo-classical monument is beautiful, a recognisable feature of the city, and an easy and interesting addition to your 3 days in Madrid!
As the Puerta de Alcalá is located right next to the exit of the Retiro Park from which it makes the most sense to exit when using this Madrid itinerary, getting there after the Retiro Park will also help to orientate your wanderings a bit.
Cybele Palace
Take a picture of Cybele Palace. Originally built as a distribution centre for telegraphs, mail and telephones, Cybele Palace was unsurprisingly once known as the Telecommunications Palace.
Today, it is an incomparable and charming sight along the Gran Via. I'd say to make sure you don't miss it, but you won't!
Metropolis
When trying to see Madrid in 3 days, the Metropolis in Madrid is the most popular building and it is a definite stop worth making
Indeed, it is probably the most recognisable and most photographed building in all of Madrid, the Metropolis building may have been built by an insurance company, but it certainly has a lot of personality.
Círculo de Bellas Artes
Have a drink at the Circulo de Bellas Artes. When you enter the lobby of the Círculo de Bellas Artes building, what lies at the end of the indescribable lift ride is not immediately apparent, but the rooftop bar at the top offers a phenomenal view of the Metropolis building and is definitely worth seeing.
Gran Via
Take a stroll down the Gran Via. Madrid's Broadway is a fantastic place: all Art Deco buildings and bustling shops, walking to Gran Via is a must-see feature of Madrid tourism, and a great place to indulge in a bit of shopping if you want to buy souvenirs during your few days in Madrid!
As one of the most famous and lively squares in the city, it is definitely worth stopping by the Puerta del Sol during your 3 days in Madrid!
In the 15th century, the Puerta del Sol was located at one of the city gates within the walls that surrounded Madrid, and it has been a popular place for gatherings and daily life ever since.
Think of it, in some ways, as the New Year's celebrations in Madrid's Times Square and the costumed character artists soliciting advice from the tourists included.
La Chocolatería San Ginés
Devour churros at Chocolatería San Ginés. Churros con chocolate is a treat best eaten after a long day of sightseeing. So now that you've completed another day of your Madrid itinerary, it's time to sit back and enjoy one of the city's best treats.
A pile of churros served piping hot with a side of hot chocolate so thick it's closer to chocolate syrup than we Americans think of hot chocolate as the dish, and it's both phenomenal and quite the sugar rush.
Dip the churros in the chocolate, yes, but once you're out of churros, make like a "Spaniard" and drink the rest of the chocolate for an extra sugar rush.
Chocolatería San Ginés is the most famous place for chocolate churros in the city, and while it's delicious and affordable, it's also often very busy.
If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, there are also churros con chocolate at Los Artesanos 1902 Chocolate nearby.
Day 3 Madrid Itinerary: Barrio de la Latina
La Latina
Start the day in La Latina, a delightful labyrinth of narrow, winding streets dating mostly from the Middle Ages, La Latina is one of Madrid's most picturesque neighbourhoods and well worth exploring as part of your 3-day Madrid itinerary.
La Latina is known for its large number of bars and restaurants, making it a lively area at all hours and a great place to walk around, explore and take photos.
Hit El Rastro
If your 3 days in Madrid fall on a Sunday, rearrange everything you need in this Madrid itinerary to explore La Latina and thus El Rastro on Sunday morning.
As Spain's largest and most popular open-air flea market, El Rastro is an explosion of colour, sights and sounds. There is souvenir shopping, antique shopping, clothing shopping, furniture shopping. There are bands playing, crowds of people chatting and shopping, and goods exchanging hands left and right.
It's a lot of fun and worth experiencing if you get the chance during your few days in Madrid.
Mercado San Miguel
Explore the Mercado San Miguel. Very touristy but full of delicious bites to discover, stop by the Mercado San Miguel mid-morning (it opens at 10am, and the earlier you get there, the less crowded it will be) for some snacks and a stroll through one of Madrid's most beautiful and beloved food markets.
The options are endless, from all kinds of tapas to paper cones filled with meat, so bring some cash (small bills are good to have here) and take the time to dive into Spanish cuisine.
Where to stay in Madrid
- Budget
Hostal Adis: located right next to the Puerta del Sol and with great reviews, you couldn't ask for a better location in Madrid and at an affordable price too!
Hostal Adis is an excellent establishment for budget travellers looking for a great location and plenty of privacy, rather than being a traditional hostel, Hostal Adis is more like a budget hotel.
- Mid-range
Hotel Regina: With soft beds, spacious rooms, excellent customer service and an ideal location near the Puerta del Sol, mid-range travellers can't go wrong with a stay at the popular Hotel Regina. If you feel like splurging, opt for a room with a panoramic view for an experience you won't soon forget!
- Luxury
Catalonia Las Cortes, both elegant and comfortable, modern and traditional, the Catalonia Las Cortes is located in an 18th century building in the heart of Madrid and has blended the best of classic atmosphere and modern comfort.
An excellent location near the Puerta del Sol, rave reviews and beautiful rooms make Catalonia Las Cortes the perfect luxury hotel choice for those looking for a mix of traditional and modern during their 3 days in Madrid!
Getting around Madrid
If you're wondering how to get around during your 3 days in Madrid, here's a brief overview of the means of transport you're most likely to use.
We absolutely do not recommend renting a car in Madrid: as in most major European cities, a rental car in Madrid is an expensive nuisance, not a convenience.
- Walking
Madrid is a delightfully walkable city, even if you're visiting Madrid in winter, and if you like exploring cities on foot, you'll have plenty of opportunities here.
Use your feet as your main means of getting around Madrid, you'll never tire of all the beauty you see along the way!
- Metro
Madrid has a well-developed and easy-to-use metro system. Wherever you need to go beyond walking, the metro is a great option. It is also quite easy to enter the city by metro.
- Taxi/Uber
Taxis are fairly easy to catch in central Madrid, and they have meters that are constantly in use. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to get around and you are not near a metro station, taxis are a good option.
Uber also operates in the city, you can also enter the centre from the airport via Uber.
Favourite thing to do
I'm a fan of walking and strolling, so Madrid is a great place to do that. My favourite thing to do is simply to visit the parks and palaces especially during the winter, it's the best way to see Madrid and its architectural wonders up close!
FAQ
- How long do I have to spend in Madrid?
A first time visitor can easily spend a week in Madrid, but many tourists often only plan for 2 or 3 days before moving on to the next city. Don't worry if you are pressed for time, you can easily see all the main sights on a well-organised 2-day itinerary in Madrid.
- How many nights should I stay in Madrid?
While 5 or even 3 days in Madrid is probably the ideal time to spend in the Spanish capital, if you only have a limited amount of time, the first two days of this 2-day Madrid itinerary will take you through the highlights of what this dynamic city has to offer.
- Is 5 days in Madrid enough?
5 days can be both too much and too little depending on your interests. Taking day trips and using Madrid as a base is not a bad idea for 5 days as it allows you to walk around in the evening and reduces the stress of changing hotels all the time.
- Is Madrid a pedestrian city?
Madrid, although large, is an extremely pedestrianised city. Take long walks through the Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, through the fashionable Salamanca district, you will love it!
