While you could certainly spend more time in Spain’s capital city, 3 days is the minimum time I’d recommend to get an idea of what Madrid has to offer. I spent months living here, and recently returned to Spain, completing a 3 day tour of my favourite spots and some sites that were new to me. Additionally, Madrid is a great hub for travel around the rest of Spain, being home to one of the major airports that connects international travellers to the country and several large train stations for regional travel.
So, whether you are staying in Madrid for just a few days before moving to other parts of Spain, or you are dedicating more time to complete day trips from Madrid, here is my recommended itinerary for three days spent in the city.
Day 1: Sol, Royal Palace, Plaza de España, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Madrid’s central neighbourhood, Sol, is both a central hub for transportation throughout the city and a focus for all visitors to the city. Puerta del Sol is the plaza that the neighbourhood centres around, which serves a a meeting place, a gathering spot, and commonly a location for demonstrations and protests.
The plaza is the intersection of numerous roads, primarily pedestrian streets, as well as the metro for lines 1, 2, and 3, and the cercanías lines C3 and C4 (commuter rail). This large public transportation station makes Sol a perfect place to meet within the city, for both tourists and locals alike.
I have to recommend beginning your tour here in Sol. On a repeat visit, you may not feel compelled to brave the crowds of this busy area, but if it’s your first time, you need to see it at least once.
In the plaza you’ll see 2 fountains, a statue of Carlos III on horseback, and el Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree) statue that has adorned the crest of the city since the time of Alfonso VIII. From the centre of the plaza, find your way to Calle Mayor on the west side.
Walking Tour of Central Madrid
On your first day in the city, I recommend completing a walking tour of the city centre, starting in Puerta del Sol and ending at the Templo de Debod. The route will likely take around 2-3 hours, including time to stop, take pictures, grab a bite to eat, and soak in the history.
Some of the highlights along this route include Plaza Mayor, a large public square built at the end of the 16th century; the Arab Walls of the city, dating back to the 9th century; the Royal Palace and Cathedral, which are open to the public; Plaza de España, recently renovated; and the Templo de Debod, a gift from Egypt.
All of the items on this list are free with the except of the Royal Palace, which has free admission 2 hours before closing on weekdays.
The Cathedral of Santa María la Real de la Almudena adjacent to the Royal Palace requests a 1€ donation with your visit, which is up to your discretion. You can visit the Cathedral as long as there is no mass or events scheduled.
While visiting the Palace area, you can also access the Sabatini Gardens and the Campo del Moro for free.
At the end of the route, you’ll reach the Templo de Debod, an ancient Nubian temple that was donated to Spain from Egypt in 1968 as a sign of gratitude for their participation in the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia. The temple was completely disassembled, moved, and rebuilt in Madrid in the early 70s. You can enter the temple for free, but you require a ticket which needs to be reserved in advance.
Where to Stop for Food
While walking around Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, I would recommend making a stop at San Ginés for some chocolate con churros. The San Ginés Chocolatería is an institution here in Madrid, founded in 1894 and running continuously ever since. It also operates 24 hours, so you can visit any time of day (or night).
Beyond the Palace, near Plaza de España, I recommend grabbing a coffee or a matcha at Doku Toku, a lovely Japanese cafe on Calle Santa María Micaela. They also serve sandwiches, onigiris, and homemade desserts if you’re ready for some food.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
In the afternoon, head to one of Madrid’s “Big 3 Museums”. This includes the Museo del Prado, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. If you only plan to visit one of these museums, I’d recommend the Thyssen as it has the widest variety of art. The collection ranges from the medieval period (around 1450 CE) to present day. Mondays have free admission, and general tickets cost 14€ all other days.
The Reina Sofía museum, on the other hand, focuses primarily on 20th-century art. This is the place to go if you love artists like Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, and Juan Gris. There is free admission from 7:00-9:00 pm Mondays to Saturdays, and from 12:30-2:30 pm on Sundays. General admission is 12€.
Finally, the Museo del Prado is the home of national art treasures from the middle ages (12th century) to the 19th century. It hosts works of Goya, Velazquez, El Greco, and other world-renowned Spanish artists. It is likely the first museum you heard about in Madrid and is certainly housed in one of the most impressive buildings. The museum costs 15€ for general admission, but visitors can enter for free 2 hours before closing.
Day 2: Canal to Gran Vía, Madrid History Museum, and Lavapiés
On your second day, take a tour of some of Madrid’s trendy neighbourhoods: Malasaña, Lavapiés, and Chamberí. Start by taking the metro out to Canal and grabbing breakfast at Petit Pum Pum Café. They have fresh baked goods, including sourdough bread from their bakery location in Lavapiés.
After breakfast, make your way south, through Plaza Olavide, a beautiful and lively neighbourhood square. From there, head towards Glorieta de Bilbao, and take Calle Fuencarral south. This is a popular shopping street with a pedestrian-only stretch near Gran Vía. Before reaching that section, you’ll pass the Madrid History Museum.
Madrid History Museum and Calle Fuencarral
This is a free museum that has 3 floors of paintings, sculptures, maps, architectural plans, furniture, clothing, and home goods that represent Madrid throughout history. The museum has old maps and an intricate model of the city in the mid-19th century that took 23 months to build in the basement. The upper three floors bring you through Madrid’s history, primarily focusing on Philip II’s decision to move the court to Madrid and the time since.
If you are interested in learning more about Madrid’s distinct history, how it became Spain’s capital, and what life would have been like here throughout history, this museum is a must-see. And honestly, I would recommend it to everyone, as it certainly provides a great deal of value for a completely free exhibit.
It took us around an hour to an hour and a half to see most of the museum. After, I would recommend continuing down Calle Fuencarral, especially if you have any interest in shopping while in Madrid. There is a mix of local shops and well known brands along this street, a little something for everyone.
Where to Stop for Food
For lunch, I have several recommendations in the area. For a greater selection of different foods under one roof, check out the Mercado de San Ildenfonso. It is just across the street from the Madrid History Museum. If you are not interested in a market vibe, there is a great brunch place called Zenith on Calle de Valverde just one street over from Fuencarral.
For those interested in somewhere popular and affordable, I have to recommend Takos al Pastor. It is just south of Gran Vía, on Calle de la Salud, and they serve amazing, authentic Mexican tacos and more. Be prepared to wait in line, as they are always busy! You’ll order at the counter before taking your seat.
Finally, if you prefer eating plant-based or have a taste for Venezuelan flavours, you have to try Cantina 33, on Calle de Campomanes. They serve Venezuelan classics like cachapas, arepas, and empanadas, along with vegan and vegetarian takes on these and other dishes.
Exploring Gran Vía
Gran Vía is a busy, hectic place. It is a boulevard through the old centre of the city that was created in the early 20th century. The wide road now serves as a major transportation route for taxis, buses, and commuters, as Sol is largely pedestrian-only.
The street of Gran Vía is flanked by recognizable brands, from Primark and Zara to McDonald´s and Five Guys. It is perhaps not the place to go for an authentic Spanish meal or experience, but certainly a must-see in the heart of Madrid. As the road continues west, it begins to feel Broadway-esque, lined with theatres boasting live performances of many popular musicals.
Though Gran Vía is chaotic, it doesn’t take long to lose the crowds. Duck down one of the streets on the north side, into Malasaña and immediately feel the calm. Many of the south streets west of Callao are also devoid of the busyness constant in Sol and Gran Vía.
Wandering Lavapiés
When you are done in Gran Vía, catch the metro Line 3 from Sol or Callao to Lavapiés (about a 10-minute ride). The neighbourhood hosts a tapas festival called TapaPiés each year, typically in mid to late October. They also host an event called Día Mundial de la Tapa, focused on croquetas in June. If you visiting in either month and interested in participating, check the EnLavapiés site for upcoming event information.
Outside of their neighbourhood festivals, Lavapiés is known for its trendy, hipster vibe. It’s artsy and fun, with plenty of small local bars and restaurants to test. It is a great neighbourhood to explore if you are a foodie or are interested in shopping local or vintage. Every Sunday and on public holidays, there is a flea market, El Rastro, held in the Plaza de Cascorro. This could be a great spot to find a unique Madrid souvenir.
If you’d prefer to follow siesta while travelling in Spain, take a break after walking Gran Vía and head to Lavapiés in the evening. Wander here for about an hour before you decide to grab dinner—and I recommend staying in the area for that as well.
Day 3: National Museum of Archaeology, Salamanca, and El Retiro Park
On your third day in Madrid, I recommend explore the east side of the city centre. On my most recent trip, I stayed over here in the Ibiza neighbourhood and we found many great restaurants, cafes, and interesting spots.
In the morning, I’d recommend getting breakfast at Loira Lope de Rueda Cafetería Panadería, a coffee shop and bakery that makes their own pastries. We got lucky, arriving just as fresh croissants came out of the oven (so you know exactly what we had to get for breakfast). We ate in the Retiro because the cafe was super busy.
National Museum of Archaeology
Our first stop of the day following breakfast was the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, on Calle de Serrano in Salamanca. This was probably my favourite museum of Madrid so far, and I could not recommend it more (especially if you love ancient history). It covers pre-history (including human evolution) centred around the Iberian Peninsula to the Roman and Muslim periods of Spain, with additional exhibits on Ancient Greece and Egypt.
The museum charges an affordable admission rate of 3€, but we were able to secure a 50% discount because we had a Renfe train later that day to Barcelona. As well, students, children and seniors can enter the museum for free and they have free admission times on Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings.
Walking Salamanca and El Retiro
After the museum, I recommend wandering the Salamanca neighbourhood for a little while. This neighbour is very different from the medieval neighbourhoods of Madrid, with its wide boulevards and planned grid structure.
Today, it is known as the Beverly Hills of Madrid for its luxury shopping streets, expensive hotels, and upper class residents. That being said, not all of Salamanca is unaffordable, and it can be a great place to find lunch. There are so many different restaurants, cuisines, and price ranges to choose from here.
We ate at MASSART on Calle de Antonio Acuña, which is known for its wood fired pizza, though they also serve pastas.
After lunch, spend a relaxing afternoon wandering the Retiro Park. Take some photos of the great pond (el Estanque Grande) and the monument to Alfonso XII or watch the ducks and the fish before passing south through Paseo de la Cuba. I recommend checking on the Palacio de Velázquez or the Palacio de Cristal. Both offer free exhibits run by the Museo Reina Sofía, though the Crystal Palace is under restoration until 2027.
If you are visiting in the spring and summer, don’t miss La Rosaleda, a botanical rose garden on the south side of the park. Take some time to just explore, I found some of my favourite discoveries here just by wandering without a set destination in mind.
For dinner, consider the Ibiza area, particularly along Calle de Narváez, or head west to the Barrio de las Letras for some tapas.
My Map of Madrid
Use my map to help guide your trip planning in Madrid. You can star the map to easily save it to your own account.
If you have additional time in Madrid and are interested in exploring nearby towns, I recommend trying Toledo, Segovia, or Ávila, each of which is accessible and reasonable to see within one day. For more information about what to do in the Spanish capital, see my complete Madrid guide.
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