Your Perfect 3-Day Itinerary for Madrid
Embrace the vibrant energy of Madrid, Spain's elegant capital filled with manicured parks, premier European art museums, and a late-night tapas culture.
Madrid is a major European hub with Barajas Airport and high-speed rail to Barcelona, Seville, and beyond. The Metro is fast and extensive; the centre is also walkable. Spring and fall offer the best weather; summer can be very hot and many locals escape the city. Book the Prado, Royal Palace, and top restaurants in advance. Dinner starts late—embrace the tapas and late-night culture. Allow time for Retiro Park, neighbourhoods like Malasaña and La Latina, and day trips to Toledo or Segovia.
Discover the best landmarks, where to eat, and where to stay in Madrid.
Best Time to Visit Madrid
Spring
21°C / 9°C
Comfortable and sunny, highly recommended
Summer
33°C / 19°C
Very hot and dry, locals take siestas
Fall
21°C / 10°C
Mild and pleasant autumn weather
Winter
11°C / 3°C
Cold and crisp, bright blue skies
Day 1
Prado Museum
Art museum with Velazquez, Goya and El Greco masterpieces in vast 12th- to 19th-century collection.
Morning activity: Prado Museum.
Mercado de San Miguel
Circa-1916 covered market offering local food, delicacies & events in an elegant ambiance.
Lunch nearby: Mercado de San Miguel.
El Retiro Park
Expansive, 19th-century park with boating lake & rose garden, plus numerous fountains & statues.
Afternoon sightseeing: El Retiro Park.
Sobrino de Botin
Spanish fixture open since 1725, famous for its roast suckling pig mentioned in a Hemingway novel.
Dinner in the area: Sobrino de Botin.
Flamenco Show
Evening experience: Flamenco Show.
Day 2
Royal Palace of Madrid
18th-century, ridge-top palace for state occasions, plus tours with rooms full of art and antiques.
Morning activity: Royal Palace of Madrid.
Chocolateria San Gines
Founded in 1894, this cafe is known for its chocolate with churros.
Lunch nearby: Chocolateria San Gines.
Plaza Mayor
Cafes & restaurants line the arches of this stately square with Philip III's statue in the center.
Afternoon sightseeing: Plaza Mayor.
DiverXO
High-end, avant-garde tasting menus served on outré dishware in a sleek, modern dining room.
Dinner in the area: DiverXO.
Rooftop Bar Tartan Roof
Upscale restaurant for innovative Spanish cuisine & cocktails, known for its roof terrace views.
Evening experience: Rooftop Bar Tartan Roof.
Day 3
Reina Sofia Museum
Sprawling museum for Spanish 20th-century art collection with works by Gris, Dali, Picasso & Miro.
Morning activity: Reina Sofia Museum.
Malasana
Lunch nearby: Malasana.
Gran Via
Iconic street lined with grand, early-1900s architecture, retail stores, restaurants & bars.
Afternoon sightseeing: Gran Via.
Taberna La Carmencita
Traditional meals made with carefully sourced ingredients at a time-tested tavern with tiled walls.
Dinner in the area: Taberna La Carmencita.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Museum housing collection of 13th-20th-century European masterpieces, from Renaissance to Pop Art.
Evening experience: Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.