3 Day Madrid Itinerary: How to Experience Spain's Capital
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MADRID HAS BEEN AT THE TOP OF MY TRAVEL WISH LIST FOR SO LONG THAT EVERY ACTIVITY DURING THIS THREE DAY VISIT FELT LIKE A LONG OVERDUE EXPERIENCE.
From touring the Prado Museum to noshing on late-night churros and chocolate, each activity in Madrid elicited an excited “Finally!” in my brain.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Barcelona over the years, and while I love the architecture and the food, I never bought into the hype around that destination.
Madrid was different, though.
Not as hyped as Barcelona, overflowing with history and world-class museums, Madrid had lived in my imagination as a chic international capital worthy of a visit.
I’m happy to report that Madrid lived up to my own lofty expectations.
TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE SPANISH CAPITAL, HERE IS A 3 DAY ITINERARY THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO EXPERIENCE ALL THE CITY HAS TO OFFER.
3 Day Madrid Itinerary: How to Experience Spain's Capital
Top Experiences in Madrid
Planning your trip to Madrid? Here are my FAVORITE experiences for a memorable visit to Madrid.
🔍 Discovery | Learn more about your destination
🤝 Connection | Meet locals, learn a craft, and trade stories
🎭 Performance | Immerse yourself in the local art and culture
🚌 Excursion | Explore nearby places of interest
🚀 Adventure | Seek thrill and excitement in the great outdoors
Curious how to find the best experiences no matter what destination you visit? Download my Europe Experience Planner now!
How to Get Around Madrid
MADRID IS WELL-CONNECTED BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND OFFERS BUSES, THE UNDERGROUND METRO, AND LIGHT-RAIL TRAINS.
I bought a tourist travel pass for my 3 days in Madrid and was able to take bus and metro transportation during the entirety of my stay.
Most major bus and subway lines run along Gran Vía, the major thoroughfare in Madrid.
Taxis and ride-sharing platforms like Uber are plentiful and affordable in the city, and there are also green transportation options like bike share available.
Where to Stay in Madrid
DURING MY VISIT TO MADRID I STAYED AT THE SOCIAL HUB MADRID, IN THE ARGÜELLES NEIGHBORHOOD.
The Social Hub is a 4-star hotel catering to digital nomads, travelers, and students by offering affordable accommodations and co-working space in a number of European cities.
I chose this hotel because I was staying at The Social Hub Barcelona after my time in Madrid, and I wanted to see a couple iterations of the hotel concept.
With a great mix of co-working space and just-what-you-need amenities, I really enjoyed my stay at the Social Hub Madrid…
…and enjoyed jogging around the Argüelles neighborhood each morning.
OVERALL, I REALLY LIKED THEIR MIX OF CO-WORKING SPACES AND BASIC IN-ROOM AMENITIES LIKE A NESPRESSO MACHINE AND SHOWERS WITH STRONG WATER PRESSURE.
The concept of “budget travel” usually leaves me weary about what I’ll find, but The Social Hub offers just-what-you-need comforts perfect for trips where you plan to be out and about for most of your stay, anyway.
The Argüelles neighborhood is on the western side of Madrid, close to the Palacio Real de Madrid, and about a 20 minute walk to Puerta del Sol or Plaza Mayor.
The next time I visit Madrid, I’ll probably stay closer to the city center, or on the eastern side of the city, close to Retiro Park.
When to Visit Madrid
The peak travel seasons for Madrid are when temperatures are warm but not too hot, from April to June, and September and October.
There’s also an uptick in crowds in December due to the holidays.
THE OFF SEASON IS JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
The shoulder seasons, in which Madrid is lively but not too crowded, are March, July & August, and November.
Just keep in mind that August is the hottest month of the year in Madrid, and smaller independent shops will likely be closed as locals flee the city for their own annual vacations.
Day 1: Madrid Guided Tour, the Royal Palace, and Tapas
Discover Madrid through a Guided Tour
I LOVE TAKING A WALKING TOUR FIRST THING WHEN I ARRIVE IN A CITY, AND MADRID IS NO EXCEPTION.
Doing a tour of the city as soon as you arrive allows you to quickly understand the layout of neighborhoods and the story behind key landmarks.
Plus, you can ask your tour guide questions to get the low-down on must-experience parts of town that you may not have already planned for.
Puerta del Sol is home to so many curiosities of Madrid, like El Oso y el Madroño, or the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree, which depicts a scene from the coat of arms of Madrid…
…as well as Pastelería La Mallorquina, a landmark café from 1894 that offers traditional Madrid sweets like Napolitanas, a larger and richer take on the pain au chocolate.
Of all the things to do in Madrid, taking a tour of the city is the one activity you should add to your list, and there are types of tours for different travelers.
My recommended Madrid City Tours
The Madrid Old City Walking Tour will introduce you to iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Almudena Cathedral, while walking through neighborhoods like La Latina and past major areas of town like Calle Mayor and Puerta del Sol.
If you want to see even more of Madrid, the Best of Madrid Bike Tour will immerse you in Retiro Park and Barrio de Las Letras, in addition to the major landmarks like the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and Almudena Cathedral.
Budget-conscious travelers can also take the pay-what-you-want Essential Madrid Walking Tour. This will show you Madrid’s most famous landmarks, but be aware that the trade-off with free walking tours is that they often come with large groups that can make it difficult to hear the guide or ask questions.
Tour the Royal Palace of Madrid
THE PALACIO REAL DE MADRID, OR ROYAL PALACE OF MADRID, IS THE LARGEST OFFICIAL PALACE IN EUROPE.
While most city walking tours will include this royal landmark on their tours, it is absolutely worth doing a separate tour inside the palace to fully understand the palace’s history, decor, and the lives of the royals who lived there.
When you visit the Royal Palace of Madrid, don’t forget to tour the gardens, like the expertly manicured Sabatini Gardens, located in the front of the north façade.
Between the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum, I was able to learn so much about the history of the Spanish royal family.
I was aware of the highlights that shared history with other major figures, like King Ferdinand V of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, who helped finance Christopher Columbus’s voyage in 1492.
BUT THE HABSBURG AND BOURBON CHAPTERS OF THE SPANISH ROYAL FAMILY WERE EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND INTRIGUING — AND COMPLETELY NEW TO ME.
History buffs should absolutely make a point to tour the Royal Palace of Madrid, along with architecture and design fans.
The Madrid Royal Palace Guided Tour will allow you to skip the ticket line and introduce you to the Throne Room, Banquet Hall, and the Private Royal apartments. Paintings by Luca Giordano and Spanish master Francisco Goya adorn the interior, along with tapestries, treasures, and more.
Enjoy Tapas as the Sun Goes Down
Most travelers to Spain are generally familiar with tapas as a small bite, or an entire meal consisting of small dishes, usually enjoyed with a cocktail or beer.
BUT TAPAS IS MORE THAN JUST A CUISINE.
The term also refers to the cultural experience of enjoying a small bite with one hand, and a cold beverage in the other, in a casual environment.
The variety of tapas on offer will likely differ from place to place…
…but are always a small snack to be enjoyed alongside a cold beverage.
Dinner is served late throughout the Iberian Peninsula, starting at 9 PM or 10 PM, so grabbing tapas as a pre-dinner aperitivo is one way that travelers can satiate themselves until the proper dinner time in Madrid.
When it comes time to order a cold beverage, skip the sangria, which is usually only ordered by tourists in Spain, and opt instead for a lighter tinto de verano or a local beer like Mahou.
POPULAR TAPAS THAT I HAD ON MY VISIT TO MADRID INCLUDE GILDA PINTXO, A BASQUE CREATION OF OLIVES, PEPPERS, AND ANCHOVIES SERVED ON A SKEWER, OR FRIED BACALAO, A BATTERED AND FRIED SALT COD.
I was even served a tiny plate of paella at one watering hole.
My recommended tapas spots in Madrid:
Casa Revuelta, a short walk outside of Plaza Mayor, is a standing-room-only bar known for its friend bacalao.
La Torre del Oro, a bar in Plaza Mayor, is adorned with bullfighting mementoes and offers guests paella along with their drinks.
La Venencia, in Madrid’s Literary Quarter, or Barrio de las Letras, is a local favorite serving five types of sherry from old wood casks, along with simple tapas. This is a legendary Madrid spot that should not be missed!
Day 2: Madrid’s Art Museums, Flamenco, and Chocolate con Churros
Tour the Prado, One of Europe’s Best Art Museums
OF ALL THE PLACES TO VISIT IN MADRID IN 3 DAYS, THE ONE I SIMPLY COULD NOT MISS WAS THE PRADO MUSEUM.
It houses a masterpiece that is one of the most discussed and debated works in all of art history, Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez.
The Prado is also home to major works like The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco’s Nobleman, and Carlos V at the Battle of Mühlburg by Titian.
The Prado is one of the best art museums in Europe, full of amazing masterpieces and historical curiosities. I highly suggest taking a tour of the Prado in order to fully appreciate its collection.
But all of these important works can be overwhelming, and the small placards rarely tell the whole story behind each painting.
To get the full experience of the Prado, I took a guided tour that gave me a deeper understanding of the museum’s works, and how they reflected the history of Spain and in some cases, Europe.
AFTER MY VISIT, I WOULD SAY THAT THE PRADO IS EASILY ONE OF THE TOP FIVE MUSEUMS IN EUROPE, RIGHT UP THERE WITH THE LOUVRE, THE UFFIZI, AND THE RIJKSMUSEUM.
This Prado Museum Small Group Tour was a fantastic experience, giving loads of context and history behind the paintings and masterpieces hanging in the Prado.
See the Highlights at the Reina Sofia Museum
Madrid’s second art museum, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, is an important art museum in its own right, much like how the Musee d’Orsay holds its own against the Louvre in Paris.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, colloquially known as the Reina Sofia, is a treasure trove for fans of bold, innovative modern art.
The façade of the Reina Sofia is dominated by its large, glass-enclosed exterior elevator.
Perhaps the most famous piece from the Reina Sofia’s collection is Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, a haunting anti-war masterpiece regarded as one of the most iconic paintings of the 20th century.
THE MUSEUM ALSO BOASTS WORKS BY SURREALIST LEGENDS LIKE SALVADOR DALÍ AND JOAN MIRÓ, AS WELL AS THOSE BY LESSER KNOWN ARTISTS, LIKE THIS ALFONSO PONCE DE LEÓN PAINTING THAT STOPPED ME IN MY TRACKS.
The layout of the museum guides visitors through Spain’s journey into modernity, and its exhibits are deeply rooted in the country’s cultural and political history.
To truly appreciate the layers of meaning behind the Reina Sofia’s collection, I would suggest joining a guided tour.
I ONLY WANDERED AROUND THIS MUSEUM, AND I THINK I WOULD HAVE HAD A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF ARTWORK IF I’D HAD A TOUR GUIDE TO ASK.
When I’m next in Madrid, I plan on taking this Reina Sofia Museum Small Group Tour in order to get a deeper view of this contemporary art stunner.
Take in a Flamenco Show
AFTER A DAY SPENT WALKING THROUGH ART MUSEUMS, I CAN THINK OF NOTHING BETTER THAN SITTING DOWN AT A PERFORMANCE OR SHOW AND RESTING MY FEET.
Flamenco, which originated in southern Spain’s Andalusia region, is a passionate art form blending song, dance, and guitar.
In Madrid’s intimate tablaos, or flamenco venues, flamenco performers display energy and emotion that brings the music to life.
The art form features intricate footwork, dramatic guitars, and haunting songs.
MOST TABLAOS IN MADRID COMBINE FLAMENCO PERFORMANCES WITH A DINNER OF TRADITIONAL SPANISH CUISINE, SO YOU CAN EASILY BOOK A PERFORMANCE ALONG WITH DINNER.
Corral de la Morería is one of the best in Madrid, known for both its flamenco and its food.
Snack on Late-Night Churros at La Chocolatería San Ginés
FOR ALL THE YEARS THAT I SPENT DREAMING ABOUT A TRIP TO MADRID, ONE OF THE THINGS I KEPT LOOKING FORWARD TO WAS THE CITY’S 24 HOUR CHURRO AND CHOCOLATE SHOP.
Chocolate and churros is a typical Madrid treat, and La Chocolatería San Ginés has been serving this delicious combo in its historic café since 1894.
No matter how long or short your stay in Madrid is, I strongly recommend a visit to Chocolatería San Ginés.
Spanish churros aren’t as sweet as the ones from Mexico, and never rolled in sugar, but this makes them all the better to dip in chocolate.
The chocolate at San Ginés is rich and thick, and a bit on the bittersweet side.
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THE AMBIANCE HERE THAT MAKES IT PERFECT AS A LATE NIGHT STOP BEFORE HEADING BACK TO THE HOTEL, BUT IF YOU’RE MORE OF AN EARLY-BIRD, CHURROS AND CHOCOLATE MAKE A NICE BREAKFAST, TOO.
Day 3: Mercado de San Miguel, Explore Retiro Park
Start with Brunch at Mercado de San Miguel
USUALLY BY MY THIRD DAY OF TRAVEL, I’M LOOKING FOR A LITTLE BIT OF REST AFTER TWO PACKED DAYS OF TOURS, EXPLORING, AND LOTS OF WALKING.
For day three of your Madrid itinerary, aim for a slower pace than on days one and two.
For starters, I’d sleep in a bit, and opt for a heavy brunch rather than an early breakfast.
Mercado de San Miguel, located just steps from Plaza Mayor, is a special destination for food lovers, plus it opens at 10:00 am daily, perfect for an early visit.
HOUSED IN A GORGEOUS WROUGHT-IRON BUILDING SINCE 1916, THIS MARKET HAS LIVED MANY LIVES, FIRST AS A WHOLESALES MARKET AND NOW AS AN UPSCALE GOURMET HUB.
There’s so much on offer here that it can be overwhelming to the senses — from freshly shucked oysters and rich Iberian ham, to creamy croquettes and local wines.
The market also has a lively and vibrant atmosphere, perfect for getting your day started before a bit more exploring.
Explore Retiro Park and Its Major Attractions
RETIRO PARK IS ONE OF MADRID’S MOST ICONIC LANDMARKS, LOCATED JUST EAST OF THE CITY CENTER.
Once a royal retreat in the 17th century, this expansive park is now a public space perfect for relaxation and exploration.
AND IF YOU’RE HEADING HERE FROM MERCADO SAN MIGUEL, IT’S ALSO THE IDEAL PLACE TO WALK OFF ALL OF THAT FOOD!
The Monument to Alfonso XII, a major site situation on an artificial lake, sits on the northern side of Retiro Park.
Puerta de Alcalá, former gates to the city, sit at the northwest entrance to Retiro Park.
An ideal starting point is the park entrance near the Puerta de Alcalá, a grand neoclassical arch situated in Plaza de la Independencia.
Within the park, the Palacio de Cristal stands out as a must-see.
Built in 1887, this breathtaking glass and iron structure was originally designed as a greenhouse and now hosts contemporary art exhibits.
NEARBY, THE CECILIO RODRÍGUEZ GARDEN OFFERS A MORE TRANQUIL EXPERIENCE WITH ITS MANICURED HEDGES, FOUNTAINS, AND ROAMING PEACOCKS.
It’s a peaceful spot that feels like a hidden gem compared to the bustling main paths.
Conclusion
SO, IS THREE DAYS REALLY ENOUGH TIME TO SEE EVERYTHING THAT MADRID HAS TO OFFER?
YES!
Three days give you enough time to see all of the major points of interest, as well as extra time to go deeper on your own personal areas of interest.
And if you only find yourself filling up two days worth of activities in Madrid, then consider taking a day trip to nearby Toledo and Segovia.
PERSONALLY, I’M ALREADY ITCHING TO TAKE ANOTHER TRIP TO MADRID AND EXPLORE THIS CHIC CAPITAL CITY EVEN FURTHER.
Until next time,
Angela 💃
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