3 Days in Madrid: The Ultimate Guide

Madrid is a massive city filled with so many things to do and see, you could easily spend a week and still feel like you haven’t made a dent. If you have the time, I fully recommend spending about 5-7 days in Madrid. However, if you only have a limited amount of time, you can definitely see most of the highlights in about 3-4 days.

Again, Madrid is an enormous city divided into 21 districts that break down further to over 130 different and unique neighborhoods. Not overwhelming at all, right? As I’ve stated in previous blogs, I think when visiting a city for the first time it’s critical to stay central for convenience and to get the most out of your trip. A few great places to stay are:

A great place to kick off your Madrid trip is in one of it's main squares - Plaza Mayor. The plaza is lined with charming shops and restaurants - a perfect place to grab a coffee on one of the many terraces and just enjoy the Spanish ambience. You’ll see a large monument in the center of the square (which you will see many monuments scattered throughout Madrid) of King Phillip III on a horse. The square plays host to different events and festivals throughout the year, so make sure to check your calendar before going to see if there’s anything going on.

Hungry? Stop by Mercado de San Miguel! Just a few steps away from Plaza Mayor, is one of Madrid’s most beloved food markets as it welcomes over 10 million visitors a year. The market opened in 1916 and is one of the finest displays of cast-iron architecture in Europe. As Madrid’s first gourmet market, you can sample some of the finest foods from all over the country ranging from fresh seafood from the Galician coast to a wide variety of cheeses from all over Spain. There’s also an endless range of gourmet meats, fruits, vegetables, and sweets.

Located directly in front of the palace is another historical square - Plaza de Oriente. The square is lined with statues of Spanish kings and in the center, you can find the main bronzed statue of Felipe IV. It’s a peaceful area and worth walking through, especially if the weather is favorable.

Another must on your Madrid list should be the Royal Palace of Madrid (Palacio Real de Madrid). This is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. Although they don’t actually live there, it’s still very much in use today for ceremonies and various events. Construction began in 1735 and took its visual inspiration from the Palace of Versailles in France. The palace is absolutely huge at over 135,000 sq meters with more than 3,400 rooms, making it the largest functioning royal palace in Europe. If you decide on taking the tour, you’re allowed entry to 50 of its rooms!

You’ll also want to take a stroll through the Sabatini Gardens on site! It’s gorgeous and totally free.

Tickets: Definitely recommend you purchase your tickets online in advance to avoid the long lines! You can book tickets here: Royal Palace Tickets

Free entrance: October-March: Monday-Thursday 6 pm-8 pm April-September: Monday – Thursday 5 pm-7 pm

After visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid, jump next door the Almudena Cathedral. Construction began in 1879, but took a long pause when construction halted due to the Spanish Civil War. It finally resumed and was completed in 1993 – a whole 114 years! The inside is absolutely stunning and worth a peak!

Did you know there is an ancient Egyptian temple in Madrid? Well, now you do – and it’s totally free to visit! Located in La Montaña Park sits an Egyptian temple dating back to the 2nd century BC. It was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to save it from floods following the construction of the great Aswan Dam. It’s a completely unique attraction that Madrid has to offer and worth seeing, plus there’s a really beautiful view of the palace behind the temple.

One of Europe’s most top-rated museums and Madrid’s prized attractions is Museo del Prado. The museum is home to an impressive collection of Spanish paintings from the renowned Goya and Velázquez among others, along with notable Italian and Flemish art focusing from the 12th – 20th centuries. The collection comprises of more than 8,600 paintings and 700 sculptures. The Prado is truly an awe-inspiring museum, and with so many wonderful pieces it could easily take you hours, if not most of the day to tour the museum. I recommend visiting the museums website where it suggests three different itineraries to help you navigate your time and what pieces you’d like to see most.

Also, if you’re on a budget or just have some free time in the evening, Prado offers free entry every Monday – Saturday from 6pm – 8pm and on Sundays from 5pm – 7pm. However, I will warn you that I personally tried this once on a random Tuesday and I was denied entry due to the museum being “at capacity”. So, I wouldn’t completely rely on this tactic!

A recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list and one of my most favorite places in Madrid – Retiro Park. Opened to the public in 1868, covering over 350 acres and including over 15,000 trees, El Retiro is a beloved spot by many Madrileños. Inside you have unique monuments, beautiful gardens and a giant lake. While the lake may be artificial, the fun of rowing a cute boat across it on a nice sunny day isn’t!

Another fun thing to check out is the Puerta de Alcala - situated right outside the north part of the park. This neo-classical arch from the 18th century is one of Madrid’s most iconic landmarks, situated in Plaza de la Independencia. Definitely worth grabbing a photo!

Directly north of El Retiro is barrio de Salamanca – Madrid’s upscale shopping and residential neighborhood. This neighborhood has the most luxurious stores and exclusive restaurants. Definitely a fun neighborhood to check out if you have time!

Watching a flamenco show while in Spain is an absolute must! Although, it’s more commonly found in the south, you can still great excellent shows in Madrid and will easily become a highlight of your trip. I recommend looking into Essential Flamenco or Cardamomo for tickets – both are great options!

One of the most iconic squares in Madrid, Puerta del Sol should definitely be on your list of things to see. There’s a lot to do in the area in terms of shopping and restaurants as it’s the junction for many of Madrid’s busiest and historical streets. I’d say it’s Madrid’s own New York’s Times Square.

One of the most impressive things that Puerta del Sol has to offer is the Kilometre 0 slab in front of the main entrance to the Casa de Correos. This marks the starting point for all major radial roads in Spain. Another thing to check out is El Oso y El Madroño, a large statue of a bear eating fruit from a tree – one of Madrid’s most famous symbols.

While visiting Madrid, it would almost be a sin if you didn’t try one of Spain’s most iconic treats – churros! You can find some of the best churros at Chocolotería San Ginés, one of the most famous places for churros across Spain dating back to 1894. Their delicious churros are served with a thick, hot chocolate sauce that is to die for. They also have “porras”, which are churros but thicker and more doughy – my personal favorite. Being that it’s such a popular place and the fact it doesn’t take reservations shouldn’t deter you from stopping by! There will usually always be some sort of line, but it moves fast! Or, you could either go during off hours as they’re open 24 hours a day, or get them to-go.

Another absolute must when visiting Madrid is walking down Gran Vía, Madrid’s most iconic street. This street is filled with some of Madrid’s most famous buildings, restaurants, cinemas and of course – shopping. This is one of the main shopping strips in Madrid, so you’ll find stores like Zara, Mango, Sfera, and even Primark’s second largest store. Plenty of shops for souvenirs as well! It’s a great strip to walk down as your first time in Madrid, but there really isn’t any traditional sites to see. I’d also recommend saving your appetite and finding a place to eat elsewhere as most of the restaurants are geared toward tourists and tend to hike up the prices.

Another symbolic and important square to visit is Plaza España. It dates back to the 18th century and is roughly 36,900 sq meters making it one of the largest squares in in Spain. There, you’ll see a lot of beautiful historic buildings such as the Torre de Madrid (tallest building in Madrid) and the beautiful Edificio España. You’ll also notice a large monument - the Cervantes Monument, that depicts the Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes. Additionally, there are a number of restaurants, shops (the largest Zara in the world), and cinemas nearby.

Whether you’re a football fan or not, it’s hard to deny how impressive the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is. Home to the famous Real Madrid football team, the stadium can currently hold over 80,000 spectators with 245 VIP boxes. A tour includes access to the museum, allows you to walk the perimeter of the field, explore the presidential box, a great panoramic view from the top of the stadium, and more.

Tickets: You can get tickets here: Santiago Bernabéu Tickets

Brunch

Tapas

Dinner

If you have extra time or looking for alternative options, check these places out!