Visit Palacio de Cibeles on your 3 day Madrid itinerary. Photo credit: Maerle, Travel to Catalonia

 

Madrid, the Spanish capital, is one of the highlights of the country and also a great place to start when visiting Spain for the first time. There are many historic sites, world-class museums, great restaurants and an impressive nightlife waiting for you. And you are budgeting 3 days in Madrid to explore this gorgeous city.

Even though I have been to Spain, guest blogger Maerle, a passionate traveller from the Netherlands has been living in Spain for almost ten years. She is the face behind Travel to Catalonia website and has visited Madrid several times (more than me). Here she shares a 3-day Madrid itinerary to help you make the most of your first visit to Madrid. With just three days in the city, you have enough time to experience its highlights and check off many of its bucket list experiences. 

 

My top Madrid options for your 3 day visit:

Stay in the centre of the city – Find accommodation in Madrid @ Booking.com
Get to know the city on a cycling tour with tapas at the end
Experience the food by cooking your own in a Paella, wine and churros cooking class
Enjoy a traditional Flamenco Show

 

How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Madrid

 

Here’s how I would spend three days in Madrid as a first-time visitor. It includes my favourite highlights, and all the practical tips you need to make your first visit unforgettable.

 

Day 1 in Madrid

 

To get to know the city a bit, I always love to do a guided cycling tour. And this is what I recommend doing on your first day in Madrid. If not a cycler then considerMadrid’s Hop On Hop Off bus. Going on one of these you get to experience the city in a different way compared to just walking around with Google Maps. Though, if you like walking, you might be interested in joining a guided Madrid walking tour.

Whichever way you decide to discover Madrid on your first visit, walking tour, cycling tour or hop-on hop-off bus tour, they are a quick way to get a first impression of the city. And check out which spots are best to explore more thoroughly later. On day two and three you will see some of the locations for the second time, but you will have some more time to actually slow down for a while and enter some of the highlights if you want.

Enjoy Madrid and get your steps up on a walking tour.

Book your cycling tour around Madrid (with optional tapas) here.

Want to ride the bus – Book your HoHo bus sightseeing tour here.

Ask your guide for a nice restaurant after ending the tour and head for lunch before continuing today’s sightseeing.

In the afternoon a visit to the Prado museum is a must, especially if you’re an art-lover. This impressive art museum houses many international masterpieces, and you can spend several hours wandering around.

Prado Museum. Image credit Maerle, Travel to Catalonia

 

Tip: Don’t forget to book in advance. If not you have to queue for a long time to buy your ticket. General tickets cost 15 euros, but you can visit the Prado museum for free during the following hours: from Monday to Saturday from 18.00h till 20.00h and on Sunday and holidays from 17.00h till 19.00h.

Purchase your entrance ticket to Prado Museum here.

Purchase your entrance ticket to Prado Museum with skip the line entry and tour here.

After visiting the Prado museum you can go out for some drinks and tapas in one of the rooftop bars before heading back to your hotel. Or do a bucket list experience such as going to a Flamenco show.

 

Day 2 in Madrid

 

On the second day in Madrid, you’ll visit the historical city centre more thoroughly on foot.

Expect to find narrow streets, lively plazas and bars and restaurants on every corner. In the morning start wandering around the charming streets of the neighbourhoods of Lavapiés and La Latina. It’s nice to sit down for breakfast at one of the cute little bars you come across. With some more energy you can continue exploring the old neighbourhoods before you head towards Plaza de la Paja and admire the Capilla de Nuestra Señora y de San Juan de Letrán. This is a great area to have a coffee or an early lunch.

After this break, continue your day in the old centre and walk towards Plaza Mayor. You can enter the square via Arco de Cofreros or Arco de Cuchilleros, two of the most iconic entrances to the square. I’m sure you will be impressed by the enormous Plaza Mayor. Take your time exploring the square, and don’t forget to walk around the edges as well. There’s always something happening here, from musicians to street performers.

Just a short walk from Plaza Mayor, you’ll find Puerta del Sol, one of the busiest and most iconic squares in Madrid. Although it’s always lively and crowded, it’s worth passing through at least once during your first visit to the city.

From Plaza Mayor, continue walking towards Mercado de San Miguel, a must-visit food market where you can stop for tapas, some fruit, or a quick glass of wine. Although it’s quite touristy nowadays, it’s still worth visiting for the atmosphere and variety of food stalls. It’s a great place to take a break before continuing your day.

If you still have some energy left afterwards, continue your walk towards the Royal Palace of Madrid, one of the most impressive landmarks in the city. Even if you don’t go inside, the palace and the surrounding square are absolutely worth seeing. After this, you can either keep wandering through the city centre or find a nearby terrace and simply enjoy the rest of the afternoon before heading back to your hotel to freshen up. In the evening find a nice tapas bar to taste some local specialties.

Mercado de San Miguel. Photo credit: Maerle, Travel to Catalonia

 

Day 3 in Madrid

 

On the last day of this 3 day Madrid itinerary, it’s nice to spend a lazy morning in El Retiro park. If you haven’t been here during your bike, walking or bus tour, I’d recommend passing by Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta de Alcalá before heading to the park.

The large park is beautiful and a great place to relax after a full day of sightseeing in Madrid. Before you head towards the park, get a bocadillo con jamón to go, which you can enjoy while you’re in the park.

Retiro park is immense, so you can spend a whole morning here easily. After this, the best thing to do is enjoy a long lunch, especially if this day happens to be on a Sunday. The Spanish love their long lunches on Sundays with their family, so try to make a reservation beforehand.

 

Retiro Park. Photo credit: Maerle, Travel to Catalonia

 

Madrid Bucket List Experiences

 

Besides seeing all the sights in Madrid during your three day Madrid visit, there are some things you cannot miss out on while you are visiting the city for the very first time. I’ve made a short bucket list with experiences you can optionally add to your 3-day itinerary.

• Watch a flamenco show. If you can, try to attend a flamenco show for a good feel of the local culture. You will certainly be impressed by what these dancers can do.
• Eat churros for breakfast like the Madrileños do. When I first came to Madrid, I was amazed that people could already eat churros in the morning. In Catalonia this is more of an afternoon snack. But yes, if you want to be like the locals, get some churros for breakfast.
• Visit a rooftop bar at sunset. Madrid can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, which is why it’s really nice to find a rooftop bar to get away from the traffic noise. These places also give you some of the best views of the city, especially at sunset. I really liked Terraza The Hat Rooftop because of the relaxed vibe and incredible views.
• Explore hidden tapas bars. Sure, it’s easy to find a restaurant on Plaza Mayor in Madrid, but it’s way more fun to explore the old neighborhoods and look for small tapas bars that locals like to visit. Try and find a place where everything is in Spanish.
• Taste a bocata de Calamares. One of the local staples in Madrid is a sandwich with squid and garlic sauce. If you are a foodie like me, you should definitely try it.
• Take a guided cycling tour of historic Madrid. Like I mentioned before, a cycling tour gives you a quick idea of the main sights in Madrid and your guide will tell you all sorts of fun facts that you wouldn’t have known otherwise.
• Soccer lovers might want to visit the home of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.
• Take a cooking class to learn to cook your favourite Spanish foods

 

Organise Your Madrid 3 day Visit

 

Now you know what to see and do during your 3 day Madrid visit, it is now time to organise it.

 

Getting To Madrid & Around

 

Madrid is the central hub of Spain, which is why it’s incredibly easy to reach. Whether you are flying into Barajas International Airport or arriving by train or bus, the city is well connected to the rest of the country, and Europe.

Once you’re in the city, getting around is simple too. The metro system in Madrid is great, so traveling around the city by public transport is super easy. If you prefer walking like I do, you could easily visit the historic city centre on foot as well.

 

Where to Stay in Madrid

 

During my last trip to Madrid, I stayed at the AC Hotel Atocha, which is very conveniently located. I usually travel by train from Barcelona to Madrid, so being just a short walk from the Atocha train station is perfect. The hotel is in a typical Spanish neighbourhood where you hardly see any tourists. Yet, it’s still within walking distance of all the major highlights in the city. The hotel itself has a very modern look, the rooms are super comfortable, and to me it felt like the perfect base for exploring.

For more Madrid accommodation options check out Booking.com.

 

Do You Need a Visa to Visit Madrid?

 

It will depend on where you are from as to whether you need a visa to visit Spain. Spain is an EU (European Union) member state so if you have an EU passport you can move freely throughout the country. If you are visiting Spain from a non-EU country you will need to abide by the Shengen Visa Rules.

 

Extending Your Trip

 

If you have more than three days to spend in Madrid, or if you want to see more of Spain than just the capital, Madrid is incredibly easy to combine with other regions. While day trips to Toledo or Segovia are popular, I recommend changing the scenery entirely and heading to the Mediterranean coast. You can go by train or pick up a rental car and explore the most beautiful coastal towns on the Costa Brava. The turquoise-coloured water and whitewashed fishing villages offer a major contrast to the busy capital city.

 

Final thoughts on a Visit to Madrid for 3 days (or longer)

 

Madrid to me is like getting to know the most authentic side of Spain, with its beautiful squares, lively tapas bars and incredible historical sites. It’s amazing to get lost in the old neighbourhoods and try bucket-list experiences such as churros for breakfast. This is how you get to know the real Madrid. I’m sure you can’t help but fall in love with this city. Hopefully this 3-day Madrid itinerary helps you plan an unforgettable first visit. Buen viaje!