The vibrant Spanish capital of Madrid is home to world-leading museums, laidback plazas, and classic architecture, and is a great pick for a European city break. Spend 3 Days in Madrid for a weekend mixed with fun and relaxation, where you can soak up both the culture and the sunshine!
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your weekend in Madrid, with handy planning tips, the best things to do in Madrid in 3 days, a detailed itinerary and a map to take with you on your trip!
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Is 3 Days in Madrid long enough?
A long weekend in Madrid is the perfect amount of time to see the main highlights of the city without having an itinerary that’s too jam-packed. With 3 days in Madrid, you’ll visit museums, markets and palaces, whilst also taking time to relax in the city’s plazas, parks, and rooftop bars.
If you’re short on time, it’s still possible to spend 2 days in Madrid, and you can adapt this itinerary to suit that! And if you want to see more of Spain, it’s easy to combine a trip to Madrid with other Spanish cities, like Barcelona.
How to Plan a Weekend in Madrid
Madrid, like most Spanish cities, is very laid back and it’s easy to plan and enjoy a weekend break here. However, it’s always handy to read up on some tips beforehand, so here are some things that will help you plan the perfect 3 days in Madrid.
- Madrid’s airport is well-connected to the city by public transport – you can take the bus, train or metro to get to the centre. The cost is similar between the three, and you can expect the journey to take around 30-40 minutes.
- When in the city centre, it’s pretty easy to navigate around Madrid on foot. However the city is big, and you may want to rely on public transport at times. Luckily, the metro system is very well-connected and will get you where you need to go.
- Like many European countries, Spain uses the Euro (€). If you’re visiting from a country that uses a different currency, make sure you convert some money before your trip!
- Many museums and attractions in Madrid close on Mondays. You will still find some things to do in Madrid on Mondays but it’s worth checking in advance and planning your itinerary around this.
The Best Things to Do in Madrid in 3 Days
Before we get into the detailed itinerary, here’s an overview of some of the top attractions you’ll visit on your trip to Madrid.
Royal Palace
Madrid’s Royal Palace, known as Palacio Real de Madrid in Spanish, is the official residence of the Spanish royal family. It’s also the largest royal palace in Europe, with over 3000 rooms! Some highlights include The Throne Room, The Armoury Square and The Stradivarius Hall.
A visit to the Royal Palace is one of the most popular things to do in Madrid, so I recommend that you book your tickets in advance. If you don’t manage to get tickets, you can still explore the gardens around the Palace for free – you’ll get the best view of the palace from Jardines de Sabatini.
Book your Madrid Royal Palace tickets in advance!
Top Tip: If you are an EU citizen or resident, you can enter the Royal Palace for free on certain evenings. Check out more info here.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is Spain’s national art museum, which was one of the top 10 most visited museums in the world in 2023. At the Prado Museum, you’ll find an extensive collection of European and Spanish art, featuring names such as Goya, Velázquez, Rubens, Titian and Rembrandt.
The main collection takes up the majority of the museum, but you’ll also find temporary exhibitions, and the Jerónimos Cloister, where the remains of an old monastery have been incorporated into the Prado Museum building.
Like the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum is also incredibly popular. Book your tickets in advance, arrive early, and try to visit on a weekday if you can.
El Retiro Park
Once a playground for the Spanish royal family, the El Retiro Park (or Buen Retiro Park) is a large and lively park in the centre of Madrid. At just over 140 hectares, El Retiro is full of things to do – with boats, a Crystal Palace, a rose garden, plus plenty of space to sit back and relax or grab a drink.
You could easily spend half a day in El Retiro Park with all the things to do here, so make sure you leave enough time in your itinerary to properly explore and relax here. And make sure you leave the park to the north side, where you can see the impressive Puerta de Alcalá.
San Miguel Market
Dating back to the early 1900s, the San Miguel Market is an institution in Madrid. Whilst 100 years ago you’d find a more traditional produce market here, these days the space is a foodie’s dream, where you can sample gourmet Spanish tapas and other artisanal offerings.
With both drinks and a wide variety of food, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here. Try the patatas bravas from Madrí (my personal favourite!), seafood from El Señor Martin, and the churros from Madreamiga. Or, just take a lap around the market and let your senses decide for you!
Reina Sofía Museum
Although it sits in the shadow of the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum is still also one of the most popular museums worldwide, and definitely worth a visit with three days in Madrid.
At the Reina Sofía Museum, you’ll find a large collection of 20th-century Spanish art, most prominently from artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. You’ll also find regularly changing temporary exhibitions.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is Madrid’s main square and is one of the most iconic spots in the city. Red façades surround the square, above arches that create a row of arcades full of shops and other outlets.
On a nice day, make sure you stop for a drink or two at Plaza Mayor. You’ll find bars and restaurants with outdoor tables lining the edges of the square, and you can easily spend a couple of hours in the sun with a cerveza or sangria.
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
Any football fan will already know that Madrid is home to one of the world’s most famous football grounds. The Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is the ground of Spanish team Real Madrid and has been since the 1940s.
You can visit the stadium to learn about the history of Real Madrid, see trophies and other memorabilia, and of course, see the pitch and seating.
Templo de Debod
The Templo de Debod is an Egyptian temple near Madrid’s Royal Palace. Dating back as far as 200 BC, the temple was relocated to Madrid to avoid its destruction when the Aswan Dam was built in Egypt in the 1960s.
You can visit the temple for free to see inside and learn more about its history and story. It’s also one of the best sunset spots in Madrid.
Discover more top things to do in Madrid
The 3-Day Madrid Itinerary
With just 3 days in Madrid, you’ll want to make sure that you plan your itinerary well. I’ve put together a detailed Madrid itinerary, which is full of all the best attractions, whilst still taking time to relax.
Day 1: The City Centre & Royal Palace
When you arrive in Madrid, start by getting your bearings in the city centre. If you need breakfast or brunch, try La Mallorquina for pastries, or Brunch Club. Then start your own walking tour. You’ll want to see Gran Vía, the Malsaña neighbourhood, and of course, Plaza Mayor and the surrounding streets. And once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the nearby San Miguel Market for a delicious lunch full of Spanish delicacies.
After a morning of exploring, it’s time to head to the Royal Palace. If you’ve booked your tickets online you’ll have a dedicated time slot, so make sure you plan around this. Spend some time in the expansive palace gardens after your visit, and pop by the Almudena Cathedral.
Round out your first day in Madrid with a visit to the Templo de Debod, just north of the Royal Palace. Then it’s time for some dinner – you might want to head to Calle de la Cava Baja, a street famous for having many tapas restaurants.
Day 2: Parks, Museums & Rooftop Bars
The second day of this Madrid itinerary is a busy one, so start with a filling breakfast at Zenith Brunch & Cocktails. Then head to the Prado Museum. You’ll want to get here as soon after opening (10 am) as possible to avoid the long queues and make sure to book your tickets in advance, as otherwise, you’ll have to queue twice.
The Prado Museum is huge, and a visit will easily take a few hours. For lunch, head to the traditional and popular Los Gatos, and then get churros at Patio de Leones. Then, take a stroll around El Retiro Park. You could rent boats on the pond, enjoy a drink or two, or simply relax in a sunny spot on the grass.
After a relaxed afternoon, head to my favourite rooftop bar in the city, Azotea at Círculo de Bellas Artes. The views are spectacular at any time of day, but if you can time your visit with the sunset, you’ll enjoy some of the most beautiful views over Madrid. You’ll find a mix of seated tables and comfortable sun beds, and you could choose to have some dinner here as well as drinks (although it is a little pricey!). Otherwise, there are plenty of great spots in the area to grab a bite to eat after you leave the rooftop bar.
Day 3: Day Trip or More Madrid Attractions
On the last of your 3 days in Madrid, either explore more things to do or take a fun day trip!
If you’d like to stay in the city, I recommend visiting the Reina Sofia museum in the morning, before exploring the nearby Barrio de las Letras. The city’s literary quarter is a bright and relaxed neighbourhood with plenty of architecture to admire. You could also pay a visit to the nearby Antón Martin Market.
In the afternoon, head to the Santiago Bernabéu for a stadium tour. The stadium is north of the city centre, so you’ll need to hop on the metro to get there (or take a taxi!). However, this gives you a great opportunity to explore a different neighbourhood before or after your stadium visit.
Once you’re ready to head back to the centre of Madrid, I recommend going back to Plaza Mayor to soak up some more of the excellent atmosphere. There are plenty of options for dinner, but you can get great Italian food at Bel Mondo.
Alternatively, you could opt for a guided day trip to Segovia and Ávila. These cities are steeped in history, recognised through their UNESCO World Heritage status. You can see a Roman Aqueduct, Segovia’s Alcázar, and Ávila’s stunning city walls. Or, you’ll also find guided tours to the nearby city of Toledo. Heading out on a day trip is the perfect way to see a bit more of Spain during a weekend in Madrid.
Check out these Madrid day trip options!
Madrid Itinerary Map
I’ve put together a handy map to help you keep track of the 3 day Madrid itinerary above. It’s sorted by colour, with a different one for each day of the itinerary. You can also save this map before your trip so you can use it when you’re there!
Now that you’ve reached the end of this guide, you’re ready to experience all the best that Madrid has to offer. With a detailed itinerary for 3 days in Madrid, a breakdown of all the attractions you’ll see, plus practical planning info and an easy-to-follow map, all you have to do is step out into the Spanish sun and enjoy your weekend in Madrid!
If you’re looking for more Spain travel guides, check out the best things to do in Bilbao. Or, for weekend trip inspiration, here’s how to spend 3 days in Copenhagen, or how to spend a weekend in Nice, France.
