Discover Madrid in 3 days: A perfect itinerary
The state capital is one of the most visited cities, adored by both locals and travelers.
With countless attractions to explore, can you truly experience everything in just three days? Absolutely not, there’s simply too much to see.
But don’t worry, we have prepared a route of tourist stops so that you can make the most of your trip and see as much as possible in those three days!
What do you have to see in Madrid during the three days you’ll spend in the city?
If you don’t want to waste your time, we advise you to follow the route we are going to indicate. This way, you’ll fully inmerse yourself in the city and discover countless cultural points of interest!
First day in Madrid
It is the first day, and you will be full of energy, so let’s seize the opportunity to explore as many incredible sights as possible.
Puerta del Sol
Our first stop could not be other than Puerta del Sol, one of the most touristic places in the capital, where you will find the famous kilometer zero of Spain, the origin of the six radial roads that lead from Madrid to Andalusia, Catalonia, Extremadura, Galicia, the Basque Country, and Valencia.
Here you can also find the famous Tío Pepe sign, an advertisement for a winery from Jerez de la Frontera, and the bear and the strawberry tree, the symbol of the city.
Near Puerta del Sol, you will find the Casa Museo del Ratón Pérez, the perfect place if you are traveling with children, the San Ginés chocolatería, which is open 24 hours a day, and the San Ginés bookstore, the oldest in the city.
Teatro Real
It is located in Plaza de Isabel II, right in front of the Royal Palace, where the city’s major shows take place. If you get the chance, don’t miss the opportunity to experience one of its spectacular performances.
And, as we mentioned earlier, right in front you will find the Royal Palace of Madrid, which can be visited from 10:00 AM until the evening (the closing time varies depending on the season). It is better to make an online reservation to enter, as the ticket offices are always full.
Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena
Very close to the Royal Palace is this beautiful cathedral, where the current kings celebrated their wedding.
It opens every day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and you can visit it for free or by booking a guided tour of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.
Plaza Mayor
How can you come to Madrid for three days and not visit the Plaza Mayor? It is located in the old town, where, if being lucky, you will coincide with the Mercado de San Miguel, where you can enjoy tapas and other delicacies of Madrid’s cuisine. In fact, while you’re there, why not savor a delicious lunch or dinner?
Templo de Debod
To end the day, your last destination should be the Debod Temple, a gift that the Egyptian government gave to Spain. It is a perfect place to watch a breathtaking sunset.
Entrance is completely free, open from 10:00 AM to 7:30 PM from Tuesday to Sunday. If you still have the energy to continue sightseeing, not far away is the Madrid Flamenco Theater, which has three daily shows.
And for dinner? Instead of going back to the hotel, it is best to return to Plaza Mayor or near Puerta del Sol and enjoy the delicacies they offer there.
Second day in Madrid
After having rested well, it’s time to dive back into your itinerary and uncover the most captivating sights in Madrid in just three days. Let’s go!
Puerta de Alcalá
We start the route at one of the five royal gates to the city, the Puerta de Alcalá, named because it led to Alcalá de Henares.
Plaza Cibeles
After taking a photo at the Puerta de Alcalá, stroll for about 450 meters and you’ll arrive at Plaza Cibeles, well-known for being where Real Madrid celebrates all its victories.
Here you can find the famous Bank of Spain, the Cibeles Palace, and, of course, its spectacular fountain.
Fuente de Neptuno
Just 600 meters from Cibeles, you’ll find another famous fountain that Atlético Madrid fans will instantly recognize: the Neptune Fountain.
For those who love mythology, it will seem spectacular, and the perfect place to take a souvenir photo of your three days in Madrid.
Museo del Prado
Arguably the highlight of your second day in Madrid, and definitely worth setting aside several hours for.
Here you can find the most famous collections of paintings by artists such as El Greco, Rubens, Goya, and Velázquez. You can book a guided tour or explore it on your own, which will take about three hours.
Which section of the Prado suits you best? It all depends on your interest and the type of visit you want to make. But, if you want to take it easy, go at your own pace and calmly enjoy each artwork.
Museo Nacional Reina Sofía
Another must-see in Madrid for all those who love culture: The Museo Nacional Reina Sofía.
It is very close to the Prado, where you can find works by Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, and Pablo Picasso, including the opportunity to see Guernica.
If you are a bit pressed for time, you can leave this museum visit for the third day, and we recommend doing the visit on your own. However, make sure to book online, because long queues form at the ticket office every day.
Third day in Madrid
On the third day, we suggest taking it a bit easier. Instead of rushing through the previously mentioned attractions, why not enjoy some more relaxed plans?
La Latina
We recommend starting in one of the city’s most famous areas, the La Latina neighborhood, where you can begin the day enjoying a delicious brunch at our venue.
At EatMyTrip, we offer a unique menu with delicious dishes that will fill you up enough to forget about eating for a few hours, ensuring you make the most of your time.
El Rastro
Will your three-day stay in Madrid coincide with a Sunday or a holiday? If so, you’ll get the chance to explore El Rastro, a market with over 400 years of history and one of the most famous in the world.
The stalls are set up around the Ribera de los Curtidores slope, filled with thousands of stalls with antique books, coins, trading cards, furniture… Making it the perfect place for collectors and curious visitors.
Missed out on luck? In such a case, take the opportunity to go to the Museo Reina Sofía if you couldn’t the day before, and enjoy the art at your leisure!
Parque El Retiro
Are you going to leave the city without visiting the most famous park? Of course not, it is a must-see if you come to the city!
If you are lucky, you might coincide with the Book Fair. If not, don’t worry, enjoy a walk after lunch to digest before heading to the last point of this guide.
Gran vía de Madrid
The final destination of your three-day stay in Madrid should be the city’s Grand Avenue, full of shops and theaters. If you have booked in advance, you can see the famous musical The Lion King here.
Points of interest include the Metropolis building, one of the most beautiful in the city, the Telefónica building, which was once considered the tallest skyscraper in Madrid, and the Capitol building, known for appearing in the Schweppes sign.
Some tips to enjoy your three days in Madrid and see as much as possible
As you’ve discovered, the city is brimming with things to see and explore. To make the most of your time, we advise you to follow the tips we will give you below:
- The hotel or hostel you book doesn’t need to be in the city center, as it is very well connected by its metro lines.
- You can use the metro to get to the first point of interest each day of the guide, but after that, forget about using it until your return to the hotel. All tourist points are very close to each other, so you can walk.
- If you don’t have time to see everything, don’t worry, you can always come back for a weekend or a day trip to see other tourist attractions.
- We advise you to travel light when you leave the hotel, so the walk from one place to another is not so tiring.
- Reserve the third day for more relaxing plans, so you are not too tired when you return the next day.
- Instead of having breakfast or lunch, why not have a brunch? Remember that at EatMyTrip we are always at your disposal.
- Take advantage of the areas you are in to have tapas or a meal, instead of spending an hour looking for a restaurant.
- To enter tourist attractions, it is better if you have booked your tickets in advance, so you can avoid queues and save time.