Madrid 3 Day Itinerary

Madrid 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Exploring the City Center

  1. Morning: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Café Central (Plaza de la Cebada, 3) - a historic café in the Huertas neighborhood.

  2. Mid-Morning: Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real, s/n). Explore its grand rooms, including the Throne Room and Royal Chapel.

  3. Afternoon: Walk to Almudena Cathedral (Plaza de la Armería), a modern cathedral adjacent to the palace. Climb the Giralda Tower for panoramic views of the city.

  4. Late Afternoon: Head to the Prado Museum (Calle Felipe IV, s/n). Spain’s national art museum houses works by Goya, Velázquez, and many others.

  5. Evening: Dine at Botín (Cocido Calle Cuchilleros, 17), the world’s oldest restaurant and a Madrid institution. Try their signature dish, Cocido Madrileño.

  6. Night: Enjoy a flamenco show at Casa Patas (Calle de las Carretas, 2) or Tablao Flamenco Cordobes (Plaza de la Corredera Baja de San Pablo, 8).

Day 2: Art and Modern Madrid

  1. Morning: Grab a coffee at Tomás y Vianna (Calle de Tomás y Vianna, 4) before visiting the Reina Sofia Museum (Calle Santa Isabel, 52). See works by Picasso, Dalí, and Miró.

  2. Afternoon: Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (Calle de la Castellana, 5), located between the Prado and Reina Sofia museums. It houses an impressive collection of art from the 13th to the 20th century.

  3. Late Afternoon: Explore the trendy neighborhood of Malasaña. Visit the El Retiro Park (Parque del Retiro) for a leisurely walk or boat ride in the lake.

  4. Evening: Dine at 1862 (Calle de San Vicente Ferrer, 3), known for its modern take on traditional Spanish cuisine.

Day 3: Shopping and Local Flavor

  1. Morning: Visit the bustling El Rastro market (Ribera de Curtidores) - a great place to shop for souvenirs and antiques.

  2. Afternoon: Head to the Chueca neighborhood, known for its vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. Stop by the Chuecatown Museum (Calle Hortaleza, 63) to learn about Madrid’s LGBTQ+ history.

  3. Late Afternoon: Visit the Temple of Debod (Plaza de España), an ancient Egyptian temple gifted to Spain and moved to Madrid in the 1970s. Enjoy the views over the city from its terrace.

  4. Evening: Dine at Mercado San Miguel (Plaza San Miguel, s/n) - a food market offering a wide variety of Spanish cuisine.

Things to Know:

  • Madrid operates on Central European Time (CET).
  • Tap water is safe to drink from the tap in Madrid.
  • Madrid’s public transport system consists of Metro (subway), EMT (buses), and trams. You can purchase a Multitarjeta for unlimited travel during your stay.
  • Spanish siesta: many shops close between 2pm and 5pm for lunch, so plan accordingly.

Transportation:

  • The Madrid Metro is efficient and easy to use. Download the Citymapper app for real-time updates and route planning.
  • Taxis are abundant but can be expensive. Uber operates in Madrid.

Tips:

  • Learn a few basic Spanish phrases before your trip. Locals appreciate it when tourists make an effort to speak their language.
  • Carry small bills as change can be hard to come by.
  • Madrid gets very hot in the summer, so pack accordingly and remember to stay hydrated.