Madrid is a real capital city, and by that, we mean that it has all the elements that make up a fantastic capital city. World-class museums, amazing architecture, tons of history, large open parks, great shopping, and delicious food. Madrid also encapsulates Spanish culture perfectly, with friendly locals and a laid-back charm. The Spanish are well known for eating late, taking long lunches, and generally enjoying life, and Madrid does this. The city is the closest thing to 24/7 New York that there is in Europe. It’s easy to spend longer than 3 days in Madrid but 3 days should be the minimum anyone should visit the city for, and allows just enough time to see the city and discover its charm. So, here’s our Madrid itinerary for 3 days in Madrid to see the best Madrid sights, eat the best Spanish food and explore Spain’s beautiful capital city.
How To Get Into Madrid
There are two major ways to arrive in Madrid, into Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) via plane, or into Madrid Atocha station via train. Both are well connected to the city centre. If you arrive at Madrid airport, the best way to get into the city centre is via the metro. Take line 8 into the city centre, and make an onward change if necessary to get to your final destination. Tickets for the metro cost €7.50 ($8.50) from the airport into the city centre. Alternatively, if you’re in a group or want a more convenient ride, a taxi from the airport into the city centre will cost around €35 ($40).
From Madrid Atocha station, you can either walk, take the metro or get a taxi into the city centre. The location of Madrid Atocha station is only 25 minutes into the heart of Madrid by foot, so if you don’t mind walking, this can be a good option. Alternatively, metro line 2 runs into Puerta del Sol for a couple of Euros or a taxi into the city centre will cost around €9 ($10.50). If you’re arriving into Madrid by train from another city in Spain or Europe, we advise booking your train tickets through Trainline Europe. Their website is super easy to use and shows a great overview of train times, durations and prices. They also offer useful info on whether tickets are refundable, or exchangeable.
For more information about all the options of getting into Madrid city centre from Madrid airport, or for more information on getting around Madrid by metro, train, bus and taxi, take a look at our Madrid travel guide, which covers all this information and more.
Madrid Itinerary – Day One
Churros For Breakfast In Madrid
Start your day in Madrid with churros, a classic Spanish breakfast item. Chocolateria San Gines was founded in 1894 and is one of the best spots in the city to try some traditional Spanish churros con chocolate.
Once you’ve gorged on churros and chocolate, take a 5-10 minute walk by the Teatro Real and into Plaza de Oriente. These well-landscaped gardens with a beautiful fountain are the perfect place to view and admire the stunning Royal Palace of Madrid, which sits just the other side of the square.
Morning Sightseeing
Take In The Sights At The Royal Palace And ALmudena Cathedral
Walk around the outside of the Royal Palace to appreciate the scale and grandeur of this iconic Madrid landmark. It was built in 1755 and is the largest Palace, by floor area, in Europe. We also recommend going into the palace to view some of the 3418 rooms that are within the walls. Don’t worry, only a selection of rooms are open for the public to visit, so you are not expected to walk around all the rooms! Tickets cost €12 ($14) per person.
Next to the palace is Almudena Cathedral, similarly ornate but much newer than the palace. You can take a look inside the cathedral for free, but a €1 ($0.50) donation is appreciated.
Visit Plaza Mayor And Puerta Del Sol
From the cathedral, it’s a 5-10 minute walk to Plaza Mayor. The square is one of the most famous Madrid sights and is home to restaurants, cafes, and shops. Sprawling off from Plaza Mayor are lots of little streets, packed with shops and restaurants. This is one of the most vibrant areas of the city.
Puerta del Sol lies just a few minutes from Plaza Mayor, another one of the most important landmarks in Madrid. You’ll find many locals sitting in this square, eating lunch and catching up. You can walk through Puerta del Sol and many other Madrid sights in our Madrid walking tour videos on our Youtube Channel. We include route maps with all our videos so you can follow the same route too.
Try A Madrid Speciality For Lunch
For lunch, try a Madrid food specialty, a calamari bocadillo. A bocadillo is a Spanish sandwich or baguette, filled with a variety of fillings but most commonly, ham, cheese, ham and cheese, tortilla or the Madrid specialty, calamari. These are delicious and something you should try while in Madrid. We recommend getting one from Bar La Campana, a well-known small, local establishment located just outside Plaza Mayor.
Afternoon Sightseeing
Explore La Latina District
After lunch, walk towards La Latina. This is the oldest district in Madrid and deserves taking an afternoon to explore. The area of La Latina was once home to an Islamic fort and many parts of these old fort walls remain today and can be seen across the La Latina district. La Latina is best explored by foot, and by wandering the streets, stumbling across sights, smells, and sounds. However, some of the best attractions to see in this area are Plaza de la Paja, San Francisco El Grande Church, San Pedro El Viejo Church, and Calle de Segovia.
La Latina is also well known for its Spanish food scene and plays an important role within Madrid for Spanish tapas and produce. While you’re in the area, check out Calle Cava Baja, a street packed with small, local tapas bars and great for a drink or tapas hopping.
If you’re in La Latina on a Sunday, then the El Rastro market deserves a few hours to explore. This market is one of the most famous markets in Madrid and Spain and covers the streets of La Latina with second-hand Spanish goods such as clothes, antiques, and other trinket items. The area is transformed into a vibrant street market with street performers and diners on every corner, sampling some of the local restaurants’ finest dishes.
Evening – Tapas Hopping In Madrid
No trip to Madrid, or Spain, is complete with eating tapas. Tapas is the most famous type of Spanish dish and essentially means ‘small plate’. While the origins of tapas in Spain are very much debated, tapas has become well known worldwide and are a fantastic way to taste and experience some of Spain’s best produce and dishes. The best way to eat tapas is to bar hop from one tapas bar to the next, tasting the best tapas on offer at each establishment. However, before heading out for dinner in Spain, remember that the Spanish eat late, and it is common to have dinner around 9-10pm or even later.
A plate of patatas bravas for tapas in Spain
On your first night in Madrid, we recommend heading within the vicinity of Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. There are many tapas bars here, serving a range of delicious tapas. All located just a short walk from each other, we recommend trying Casa Toni, Casa Abuela, and La Venencia. These are all highly rated but local tapas restaurants in Madrid, that will give you a true taste of Spanish tapas and the culture of eating in Spain.
Madrid Itinerary – Day Two
Breakfast In Madrid
Before setting off for the day, head to Cafe Federal, near Plaza de España for some breakfast. Cafe Federal serves up a good selection of breakfast and brunch options which are generally on the healthier side. It is a well-known spot for breakfast in Madrid. Some of our favourites on the menu are the tostada and pancakes.
Explore Gran Via And Plaza Cibeles
Once you’ve eaten, head to Plaza de España and then take a stroll down Gran Via. This street is the heart and soul of Madrid, with many of the city’s most famous streets and attractions sprawling off it. Gran Via is 1.3km long and runs from Plaza de España to the Banco de España. This street is well known for some of the best buildings in the city, with the Metropolis building, completed in 1911, being one of the most stunning.
As you approach the end of Gran Via, Plaza Cibeles is just a 5-minute walk further. Plaza Cibeles is an iconic square and a symbol of Madrid. The square is the meeting point for 3 major roads in the city, as well as 3 different districts; Centro, Retiro, and Salamanca. The fountain of Cybele is located in the centre of the square and surrounded by the Bank of Spain Building, the Palacio de Buenavista, the Palace of Linares, and the Cybele Palace on the outside. The four buildings are some of the most architecturally impressive buildings to be found in Madrid, and Spain.
Morning Sightseeing
Take A Walk In El Retiro Park
Any Madrid itinerary is not complete without a visit to El Retiro park, so this is our next destination. Continue towards El Retiro Park by foot or by the metro. The plan is to go to Salamanca district for lunch, so try to enter into El Retiro park via the southwest entrances, like the Gate of the Fallen Angel, to make the most efficient use of time in the park. Covering 350 acres, El Retiro park is one of the largest green spaces in central Madrid and, as well as being a popular tourist attraction, is also a place for locals to relax, work out and get away from busy city life.
One of the joys of exploring El Retiro park is getting lost and stumbling across fountains, lakes, landscaped gardens, and magnificent buildings. Some of the most beautiful sights within the park are the Cecilio Rodríguez Garden, a classically landscaped garden with peacocks, the Rose Garden, and the Parterre Garden, a stunningly laid out geometric garden.
Explore The Glass Palace In El Retiro Park
However, one of our favourite parts of the park was the Glass Palace and adjoining lake. The Glass Palace structure is made almost entirely of glass, which is set into an iron frame and sat on a brick base. It was originally built for the 1887 Philippines Exposition but the conservatory is now owned by the Reina Sofia Museum and is used for art exhibits. Exhibits in the glass palace are usually free entry and, even if you’re not into art, it is worth going inside to appreciate the building fully, as it’s incredibly impressive.
The lake next to the Glass Palace is also nice and is home to ducks and terrapins. One can easily while away 30 minutes just watching the lake and the wildlife that rely on it. Just a short walk away is another beautiful building, Velázquez Palace. This neoclassical building was built between 1881 and 1883 and is also used for art exhibits.
Rent A Boat On El Retiro Lake
Lastly, the real star of the show at El Retiro Park, and something that no Madrid itinerary would be complete without, is the El Retiro lake and Monument to Alfonso XII. Here you will find many locals relaxing, taking in some fun, and having a drink in one of the nearby bars or cafes. The lake hosts activities such as canoeing and rowboats, which can be rented, this is a great way to spend an hour or so in the park. You can explore El Retiro Park more in our El Retiro Park walking tour video.
Order The Menu Del Dia For Lunch
Situated close to the lakeside of El Retiro Park, the Salamanca district has a fantastic range of restaurants, cafes, and bars. For lunch, indulge in a menu del dia. The menu del dia was introduced in Spain in the 1960s as a menu that was designed to offer all Spaniards an affordable meal at lunchtime. It is one of the most economical ways to eat in Spain and usually involves some of the best local Spanish cuisines. You will generally get a starter, main, dessert, and a drink for under €13 ($15), and it is only served at lunchtime.
Casa Dani is a small eatery located in Mercado de la Paz in Salamanca district and serves a menu del dia of fresh market ingredients daily. This is a great place to try a menu del dia. If you’re not looking for a big lunch then Casa Dani is also well known for great tapas, so either way, there is something for everyone. Make sure you take some time to explore the market too, which is a historic food market in Madrid.
Afternoon Sightseeing
Explore Salamanca District
Located adjacent to El Retiro Park, Salamanca district is one of the most upmarket districts in Madrid, which is noticeable when walking through the area. The district was built in the late 19th century as a place for the aristocracy and the wealthy to reside and, as a result, the streets are filled with gloriously lavish buildings with ornate architecture.
The best way to explore Salamanca, like many of Madrid’s districts, is to wander through the streets and take in the culture and atmosphere of the area. If you like shopping, then Salamanca is the best place in Madrid for designer shops, including the likes of Emporio Armani and Louis Vuitton, there are also many high street retail chains too.
Some of the top sights to see in Barrio de Salamanca are the Puerta de Alcalá, a large grand arch adjacent to El Retiro park, the National Archaeological Museum, the Descubrimiento Garden and Plaza de Colon, the Church of Saint Manuel and Saint Benedict and Las Ventas Bullring.
Paella For Dinner In Madrid
When in Spain, you must eat paella. This gloriously tasty dish is a Spanish staple and is quite different from any other food. The best paellas are made with a deep, rich stock that’s bursting with flavour. We recommend eating at La Mi Venta, a long-standing Spanish restaurant in the heart of Madrid, close to the Palace. They do a great range of dishes, including paella.
Drinks With A Rooftop View In Madrid
To top off your second night in Madrid, head to the Dear Hotel Madrid on the corner of Gran Via and Plaza de España, where their rooftop bar offers spectacular views over the city, including the nearby Royal Palace.
Madrid Itinerary – Day Three
Breakfast At Plenti
To start the last day of our three-day Madrid itinerary, walk to, or get the metro near to the Prado Museum, to start the day with breakfast at Plenti, located just a few minutes walk from the museum. This small, local café serves up delicious breakfast options including a range of topped toasts, toasties, and baked eggs.
Before heading into the museum, check out some of the surrounding monuments and statues, such as the Monumento a Los Caídos por España and the Neptune Fountain. The area around the museum has lots of historical monuments to marvel at, making it a great area for a morning walk.
Morning Sightseeing
Visit The World Class Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is Spain’s national art museum, and one of the best museums in the country. It contains one of the finest collections of European arts dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, in the world. Alongside that, it also holds the best collection of Spanish art. With around 1300 works on display at the museum, all of immense quality and prestige, the museum is widely considered to be one of the best art museums in the world. No Madrid itinerary would be complete without visiting the museum and admiring the extensive collection of works on display. Entry into the museum costs €15 ($17) per person, or €7.50 ($8.50) per person for concessions.
Visit The Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofía
The second museum that you should visit in Madrid is the Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofía. Officially called the Queen Sofia National Museum Art Centre, the Reina Sofia, as it is commonly referred to, is Spain’s national museum of 20th-century art. There are many fantastic collections in the museum with two of the most popular being the works of Spanish artists, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.
Gorge On Tapas At San Miguel Market
Time for some much-needed lunch, and for that, we recommend heading to San Miguel market, near Plaza Mayor. As well as being an impressively restored industrial building, San Miguel market is a gourmet tapas market that has 30 vendors serving up varieties of some of Spain’s most well-loved tapas dishes. Despite being in a very touristy area, this is still one of the best food markets in Madrid and a must-do for anyone visiting Madrid. Grab a quick snack here to see you through until a late Spanish lunch. Everything is delicious but we recommend empanadas, tortillas, or croquettes.
Afternoon Sightseeing
Explore Malasaña District
In the afternoon start at Plaza de España and walk into Malasaña district. Malasaña is Madrid’s cool and artistic neighbourhood, filled with alternative clothing stores, hip bars, restaurants, and quirky coffee shops. Here you will find more street art and a younger crowd. With it being an area full of life and the younger generation, Malasaña also has a reputation as the rebellious area of the city. This all started in 1880 when Daoíz and Velarde, two young army captains, led one of the most famous revolts in Madrid against the French occupation of Madrid. Their statues can be found in the Plaza del Dos de Mayo.
Exploring this area is all about wandering the streets and getting lost in the countless small alleys but some of the best things to do in Malasaña are to visit the Mercado de San Ildefonso, go inside the Iglesia de San Antonio de Los Alemanes, see Plaza del Dos de Mayo, the main square in the area and visit the History Museum.
Tapas Hopping in Malasaña For Dinner
For dinner, head back into Malasaña, where some of the best tapas bars in the city reside. Choose one bar or hop several. We recommend trying Pez Tortilla, Bodega de la Ardosa, and Casa Baranda. All of these can get very busy so book in advance if you can, or be prepared to wait a while for a seat. It will be worth it!
We hope you have found our Madrid itinerary for 3 days in Madrid useful. To find out more about Madrid, including everything you need to know about getting in, out, and around the city, where to stay, when to go and how much things cost, check out our Madrid travel guide. We’ve got a collection of other Spain travel guides too, to help you plan your trip across Spain or to other Spanish destinations.
Where To Stay In Madrid
We’ve scoured Madrid for the best places to stay and here are our top picks for each budget:
Budget/Hostel – Hostel The Hat, Madrid
Hostel The Hat, Madrid is conveniently located just 150m from Plaza Mayor, in the heart of Madrid, and features facilities such as a rooftop bar, WiFi, air conditioning, and paid for bike hire. The hostel is modern and stylish with simple interiors. Options range from beds in mixed dormitories to private rooms with shared bathrooms and private rooms with en-suites. They also have some larger rooms which are perfect for families.
Mid Range Hotel – Dear Hotel Madrid
Dear Hotel Madrid is in an excellent location, on the corner of Gran Via and Plaza de España, making it the perfect base for exploring the city by foot or public transport. The hotel is modern, with clean simple interiors and well-equipped rooms. There is a rooftop restaurant and bar, as well as a small plunge pool, great for hot days in the city. The rooftop bar has great views across the city.
High End Hotel – NH Collection Madrid Suecia
There are many NH collection hotels in Madrid, but the NH Collection Madrid Suecia stands out for its great service, facilities, and location, it has been rated 5 stars. Situated just off Gran Via, close to Banco de España and the art museum area, the hotel is well placed for those looking to explore both the older side of Madrid and attractions such as the Prado Museum and El Retiro Park. The rooms are very comfortable and include everything one would expect from a 5-star hotel. There is also a rooftop bar and restaurant with impressive views over Madrid.
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