How to Spend Three Days in Madrid | The Perfect Itinerary
Planning to spend three days in Madrid? First things first, I could not be more excited for you! Second, youโre in the right place. As someone who is clinically obsessed with this city, and has visited several times, Iโm ready to share everything with you โ from the perfect itinerary, to Madrid hidden gems, essential tips, and more!
Madrid, the splendid capital of Spain, is a city you will quickly fall in love with. From world-renowned museums to mesmerizing gardens, and incredible culinary scene, Madrid offers so much to enjoy that youโll be planning your second trip before you even leave.
Without further ado, here is the perfect 3 day itinerary for Madrid!๐๐
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How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Madrid
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๐ฅ Book ASAP your Museo del Prado Entry Ticket and/or Royal Palace Entry Ticket.
๐ก These are the Best Areas to Stay in Madrid
๐ช๐ธ Guides: One Day Itinerary, Best Things to Do, Hidden Gems, Sunday in Madrid
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Day 1 | Dive Deep into the City Center + Royal Palace
Welcome to your first day in Madrid! Today you will focus on enjoying the heart of the city, the incredible city center.
Morning | Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Mercado de San Miguel
The best way to start your first day in Madrid is by visiting Puerta del Sol โ the cityโs most iconic and largest square.
Two things to admire when you arrive in Puerta del Sol are the iconic Tio Pepe sign, and the statue of the bear and orange tree, Madridโs symbol.
Once youโve visited Puerta del Sol, youโll head to the nearby Plaza Mayor, another of Madridโs most famous and important squares.
Plaza Mayor is a beautiful square that is enclosed in a rectangular outline of red-painted buildings with frescoes.
If you havenโt grabbed breakfast yet, or want a pick me up, head to Mercado de San Miguel, Madridโs famous food market.
Dating back to 1916, Mercado de San Miguel is Madrid first food market and has over 30 food stalls to eat from. Due to its popularity, this marketโs prices are higher than others, but itโs a must-visit regardless!
Late Morning | Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral
Now that youโve said โgood morningโ to Madrid, make your way to the Royal Palace โ one of the most famous attractions in Madrid.
With almost 3,500 rooms, the Palacio Real de Madrid is one of the largest palaces in all of Europe. The Royal Family doesnโt live here anymore, but continues to use the palace for functions and work.
Whether you visit solo or with a guide, you can expect to spend between 2 to 3 hours in the Royal Palace.
Once youโre done with your visit, head to the cathedral that sits right in front of the palace, the Almudena Cathedral.
This is the first cathedral to have been consecrated outside of Rome, and is the resting place for many of Spainโs royals. The cathedral is free to enter, but is closed during religious services.
The Royal Palace is one of the fastest selling attractions in Madrid, meaning you need to book ASAP to secure your spot. Grab your entry tickets here!๐
Lunch Time
If youโre celiac or gluten intolerant, I got some great news for youโฆ Madrid is the foodie heaven for everyone, including us!๐๐ฅณ
Discover Madridโs Best Gluten Restaurants!๐๐ช๐ธ
Two great options for lunch time today are gluten free pizza at Grosso Napoletano, or traditional Spanish food at Casa San Juan. Both these restaurants are roughly a 15-minute-walk away from the Royal Palace.
Grosso Napoletano is a chain of pizza restaurants and is strongly beloved amongst the locals. This chain has some regular (gluten containing) restaurants, and other locations that are completely gluten free.
Casa San Juan, on the other hand, is one location and is 100% gluten free. If you eat here, I strongly recommend trying the Cachopo โ Spainโs version of Cordon Bleu.
Important Tip. In Madrid, itโs always best to book your restaurant reservations a day in advance! But if the restaurant says itโs fully booked, it never hurts to ask at the restaurant, as they tend to overestimate how long people take with their meals.
Afternoon | Hidden Gem and Merienda
Now that youโve eaten up and rested up for a bit, you have 2 options: 1) Siesta or 2) Keep Adventuring. Let me know your choice in the comments!๐๐
No matter which one you pick, your next destination is a hidden gem and a local favorite, Campo del Moro. Campo del Moro is a large park that sits right behind the Royal Palace, and is the most perfect oasis and city-escape. When you walk here, you will be surrounded by endless greenery, including tall trees and ivy growing on both trees and buildings.
Strolling around Campo del Moro allows you to slow down and take in all the beauty youโve seen so far in the day. Here you will find few people, some of which will also be on peaceful strolls, others relaxing on benches, or catching up with loved ones.
Once youโre done walking around this hidden gem of Madrid, itโll be time to enjoy merienda โ snack time! For merienda, you can head to any cafe of your choice and enjoy some churros with hot chocolate, tea, basque cheesecake, and so forth.
If youโre celiac, I highly recommend Pastelerรญa La Oriental Sin Gluten, a 100% gluten free bakery. Itโs a bit out of the way, but also right next to the final destination of the day.
Evening | Sunset at Temple de Debod
Templo de Debod is an authentic, over 2,200 years old, Egyptian Temple that Egypt donated to Spain back in 1968. Temple of Debod is free to visit, but itโs recommended to book a time slot as visits are limited.
Once youโve admired the Templo de Debod, whether by visiting or admiring from a distance, head to the Mirador de Templo de Debod. This viewpoint is famous amongst locals and tourists alike, as people gather for the sunset.
Around this area there are people having picnic, taking peaceful strolls, others are singing and/or dancing to the street musicians performing. Itโs a magical time of the day where you see a beautiful and fun side of humanity.
Sunset time changes a lot based on the month youโre visiting, so I recommend taking that into consideration before you visit.
Day 2 | Culture, City-Breaks and More
Morning | Museo del Prado
Rise and shine, itโs time for your second day in Madrid!
Once youโve grabbed a nice breakfast, head to your first adventure of the day โ Museo del Prado. With over 8,600 paintings and 700 statues, including work from world-renowned artists, this is one of the most important museums in the world.
Museo del Prado is such an immense museum that 2 hours will fly by, and you will have barely scratched the surface. Something really neat is that the museum put together itineraries based on how much time you have โ 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours.
Important Note. Photos and videos here are strictly prohibited, and the people who work here are constantly checking for anyone who disrespects this rule.
While it may seem annoying, this rule actually benefits you, as it forces you to give all your attention to the art surrounding you and dive deep.
Check out all my Museo Del Prado Tips & Things To Know Before Visiting โจ
Out of all the best things to do in Madrid, this is the one that sells out the fastest. Book your tickets now, or ASAP, to save your spot!๐
Afternoon | Lunch & Parque del Retiro
Once youโre done with Museo del Prado and your eyes have feasted on views, itโs time for your tummy to do the same and eat!
After lunch, head to Madridโs most beloved and famous park โ Parque del Retiro. This immense park is nothing short of magical, for the beauties surrounding you and the vibes that radiate off of locals and tourists alike.
Parque del Retiro acts as an oasis, where people go to slow down. Youโll see people running, others by taking peaceful strolls, or laying down in the grass. Some things to admire in the Retiro park are the Rose Garden, beautiful nature, architecture such as the Crystal Palace, and the Estanque Grande de El Retiro, where you can go rowing.
My biggest tip for visiting this park is to keep your eyes open, and soak in all the magical moments that surround you. Let yourself get lost as you stroll around, and stay for as long as you wish.
Evening | Merienda, Salamanca, and the Barrio de las Letras
Time for a delicious merienda, and visiting two beautiful neighborhoods!
First up, just a nine minute walk from the Retiro Park, is the Salamanca neighborhood and a famous bakery. Salamanca is a quiet and luxurious neighborhood where youโll find yourself surrounded by beautiful architecture and high-end stores. As you walk through here to reach the bakery, make sure to look up and admire the buildings.
The famous bakery is Chรถk, where you find the craziest cookies, pastries, and chocolate. This beloved bakery has several locations, and their Salamanca location on Calle de Goya 49 is 100% gluten free. While I wasnโt a fan of their small pizzas, their cookies were incredible โ I strongly recommend the Peanut Butter & Jelly one!๐
Once youโre done with Merienda, head to Barrio de las Letras, โLiterary Quarterโ, one of the most culturally important quarters of Madrid. During the Golden Age of Spanish literature, in the 17th century, this quarter was home to many prominent Spanish writers, including Quevedo. Some things to do and admire in this quarter include the Lope de Vega House Museum, Calle Huertas,and Plaza de Santa Ana.
Day 3 | Hidden Gems, Markets, and Neighborhoods
Itโs the last of your 3 days in Madridโ are you ready?!๐
If your third day happens to be on a Sunday, you are in luck because you get to visit Madridโs famous Sunday Market โ Mercado El Rastro. Plus, spending a Sunday in Madrid is a great time!
With the first 2 days in Madrid you have already seen the very main attractions, and some hidden gems. With that said, today is your free day where you get to pick what to do.
Walk Around Chamberรญ and Malasaรฑa
Chamberรญ and Malasaรฑa are two other great neighborhoods worth visiting.
Chamberรญ is a charming, lesser-known neighborhood that allows you to dive deeper into the local side of Madrid. This neighborhood is particularly known for its tapas scene, especially on Calle Ponzano.
Malasaรฑa, on the other hand, is famous for its movida and night scene, so this could be a great neighborhood to save for your last night adventures! Similarly to Chamberรญ, Malasaรฑa allows you to experience the local side of Madrid.
When comparing the two Chamberรญ is more quiet and refined, while Malasaรฑa is more exciting.
Revisit the City Center and Madridโs Icons
The city center can never be visited enough! From Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, to Gran Via and Palacio de Cibeles, endless food markets and shops โ there is so much to see and enjoy.๐
Visit the Reina Sofรญa Museum
Another of Madridโs most important museums is Museo Reina Sofรญa. This museum hosts the most important collection of contemporary art, and is famous for being the home of one of Picassoโs masterpieces โ Guernica.
Bernabรฉu Stadium for the Football Lovers
If you are a football fan, or are traveling with one, the Bernabรฉu Stadium is something you simply cannot miss out on!
By visiting this stadium, you will enter the second-largest stadium in Spain and dive into the history of the incredible team of Real Madrid. You will also get to admire club memorabilia, watch videos of iconic moments, learn about the cups Real Madrid won, and so much more.๐
Important Note. Unlike most activities on Get Your Guide, this experience is non-refundable! You can buy a flexible ticket for an additional 5 euros, that allows you to visit at any time of the day you booked for.
If this is right up your alley, book your entry tickets before they sell out!๐
Attend a Flamenco Show
If youโre not planning to visit Granada or Sevilla, where Flamenco is born, then attending a Flamenco show in Madrid is certainly worth it! This best-rated show in Madrid lasts one hour, and introduces you to the magic of Andalusia.๐
Book your tickets, before they sell out!๐
Are 3 days enough for Madrid?
Madrid is an immense city full of incredible things to do and see. With that said, 3 days is enough to see the highlights and explore some hidden gems โ allowing you to see the local side of things.
If this is your first time visiting Madrid, 3 full days is a great first trip!
Where to Stay in Madrid
Madrid has many wonderful neighborhoods to pick from. If this is your first time in Madrid, I suggest staying as central as possible โ this allows you to easily reach all the must-sees and hidden gems.
If you donโt want to be too central, and find yourself in a more quiet area, Barrio de las Letras could be perfect for you. This neighborhood is close to the center, and is fairly quiet. Then thereโs also Salamanca, which is a luxurious and quiet neighborhood, and is the least central.
Finally, if youโre on a budget but still want to be as central as possible, Lavapies and La Latina are your best options. People online tend to say that La Latina is best to avoid at night, but I personally felt comfortable walking around there.
Best time to Visit Madrid
The best time to visit Madrid is in the Spring and Fall, as in these seasons you have the best weather and you avoid the summer crowds.
If you donโt mind the cold and want a less-crowded Madrid, the months January, February, and March are a great time to visit!
One month I personally loved visiting in was November, because of the foliage and weather. The center was ridiculously crowded, but as soon as you moved away from the center everything was fairly quiet.
How to Get to Madrid City Center from Airport
Getting to the Madrid city center from the airport is really simple! Within the airport, you can access the Cercanรญas (commuter rail) that brings you all the way to Sol. The airport has endless signs scattered around to guide you easily to the commuter.
If youโre not a budget, you can also get a taxi. However, itโs good to note that the commuter rail is just as fast as the taxi, with an average 35 minute ride. The taxi is around 30 minutes ride.
Madrid FAQs
Is Madrid a walkable city?
It does not get more walkable than Madrid! Something I love about this city is that a 20 minute walk, even 30-minute, flies by due to how much there is to admire.
What is the number one attraction in Madrid?
Itโs hard to give a number one attraction in Madrid, because there is just so much to see and visit!
The two most famous attractions are certainly the Museo del Prado and the Palacio Real de Madrid, โRoyal Palaceโ. If you can, Iโd visit both โ if you canโt, your choice comes down to incredible art vs. architecture.
Important Tip. These two, especially Museo del Prado, sell out quickly. Book your tickets today, or ASAP, to save your spot before its too late!๐
Besides the famous squares, the number one free attraction in Madrid is Parque del Retiro. This immense park acts a city-oasis, where locals and tourists alike go to slow down and enjoy simple, quiet moments.
Want more help with your travels? Check out my other Posts!
- How to Spend the One Day in Madrid
- 15+ Best Things to Do in Madrid
- How to Spend the Perfect Sunday in Madrid, Spain
- 9 Best Hidden Gems in Madrid
- Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Madrid
- Museo Del Prado Tips & Things To Know Before Visiting
- How to Spend 2 Days in Granada, Spain
- One Day in Cordoba, Spain Itinerary
- 9 Most Beautiful White Villages in Andalucia
- 5 Unique Villages in Andalusia
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I have to askโฆ
Are you excited for your three days in Madrid? Which of these days are you most excited for โ 1, 2, or 3? Let me know in the comments!๐
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