Madrid is the meeting point where entertainment, cultural and leisure activities satisfy the taste of everyone, young and old. Between visits to world-famous museums, strolls in the most characteristic neighbourhoods and wild nights in the best clubs, the Spanish capital is a destination to be experienced all round.
Here are all our tips for enjoying a Madrid itinerary in 3 days!
SEE ALSO: What to see in Madrid
First time in Madrid? Let us guide you: for a first approach to the city, we recommend a Hop-on Hop-off panoramic bus tour, to locate landmarks and learn stories and anecdotes.
Day 1
Distance travelled: 5.7 km
Places visited: Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace of Madrid(guided tour with fast-track entry €32.00), San Miguel Market, Almudena Cathedral (free), Plaza de España and Temple of Debod (free), Gran Vìa
Where to eat: Lunch at San Miguel Market(Get directions), Dinner at Tablao Flamenco Torres Bermejas(Get directions)
1 - Puerta del Sol
Photo by Tomás Fano. Start your route from one of the city's most famous squares: Puerta del Sol. From the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, walk (about 10 min) to the Nuevos Ministerios train station, board the C3 or C4 train and get off directly at the Sol stop (5 min).
This square is one of the meeting places for Madrileños and tourists alike, but not only: it is a square that hosts many events. Just think of the New Year's Eve celebrations, when the Real Casa de Correo chimes the'campanadas', the 12 chimes that signal the last seconds of the year. It is a lively square at any time of the year and at any hour! Also stop to admire the famous statue of El Oso y el Madroño, or the Statue of the Bear and the Arbutus, symbol of Madrid! It depicts a bear climbing a strawberry tree and is now one of the most photographed sights in the capital!
Stop at Kilometro Zero: here is Spain's Km 0, the conventional point from which all distances in the country are measured! For a moment you are right in the centre of Spain.
2 - Plaza Mayor
Photo by Sebastian Dubiel. From Puerta del Sol you then reach one of the symbols of the city, the wonderful Plaza Mayor (400 m, 5 min). Until 1580, this square was the site of the city market and all the life of the city: it was the location of popular festivals and events, but also the site of executions. Today it is one of the city's main squares, a meeting point for locals and tourists alike.
The square is indeed very large and elevated, all surrounded by buildings and can only be accessed by crossing the arches on the four sides. This aspect is due to the renovation ordered by Philip II of Habsburg in 1561. All the arcades are occupied by small cafés and shops. Start the day by tasting chocolate with churros, a typical Spanish delicacy that Spaniards usually eat for breakfast!
Walk through the Arco de Cuchilleros: the most famous entrance to Plaza Mayor and one of the most beautiful views of the city. This arch connects the square with the Cava de San Miguel, a street lined with numerous restaurants and taverns! From here you can get to your second stop.
3 - Royal Palace of Madrid
With a walk of less than 10 minutes through the streets of the old city centre, from Plaza Mayor you can get to the Royal Palace of Madrid, once the residence of the Spanish royal family (daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., April to September until 8 p.m.; full price €6.50, concessions €3.50). If you visit Madrid between November and June, the traditional Changing of the Royal Guard also takes place here every Wednesday.
The Palace we can visit today is a reconstruction from 1764 as the previous one was destroyed in a fire in 1734. It is the largest palace in Europe: it measures an impressive 135,000 square metres and has over 3,000 rooms! Today, it is no longer the residence of the Spanish royal family, who stay at the Zarzuela Palace, and is therefore open to the public. Among the various rooms, you can visit the Throne Room, the Royal Armoury and the Royal Apartments.
SEE ALSO: Visit to the Royal Palace: schedules, prices and tips
Take part in a guided tour: the palace is very extensive and you risk getting lost inside, even spending more than 3 hours! To avoid wandering around and missing the main halls and works, join a guided tour with fast-track entry (2 h) to save precious time. Info and costs here
4 - San Miguel Market
For lunch, head to what is one of the world's leading food markets: the San Miguel Market (daily 11am-10pm; admission free). It is just a 5-minute walk from the Royal Palace.
Opened more than 100 years ago, it is the ideal place to discover the tastes and smells of Spain! An entire section is in fact dedicated to Spanish gastronomy, with stalls where you can taste typical products or small places specialising in tapas. Then enjoy a stroll through the market stalls, where they sell all kinds of products, from cheeses from Castile, the Basque Country and Asturias to Iberian ham, from fruit to vegetables, from meat to fish. A journey within a journey!
Go to tapear: have lunch at the market with tapas. These are small portions and appetisers that are usually accompanied by drinks and will let you discover the different flavours of Spanish cuisine.
5 - Almudena Cathedral
After strolling through the stalls of the Mercado de San Miguel, head to another of the capital's symbols: the Almudena Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of Almudena, patron saint of Madrid (September to June daily 9am-8.30pm, July and August daily 10am-9pm; free admission).
The construction of the Cathedral took centuries: work began back in 1624 but, due to various vicissitudes, more than 200 years passed from the project to the actual building of the structure! It was later consecrated by Pope John Paul II and was then accessible to the faithful. It is a truly impressive building that, due to the long construction period, presents a mix of completely different architectural styles, but its beauty lies precisely in this!
SEE ALSO: Visit the Almudena Cathedral: how to get there, prices and tips
Step back in time at the Muralla Árabeo: Just behind the Cathedral you will find the Muralla Árabe, the remains of the old Arab wall of Madrid, a real piece of history. From here you can also enjoy a splendid view of the Cathedral and its surroundings. Get directions
6 - Plaza de España and Temple of Debod
From the Cathedral walk down the beautiful Calle de Bailén, a majestic street surrounded by elegant buildings that leads directly to Plaza de España (850 m, 11 min). This is one of Madrid's main squares, completely surrounded by clubs and very lively both day and night.
From Plaza de España go towards the Parque de la Montaña, inside which you will find one of the most unusual monuments in the city: we are talking about the Temple of Debod. Unusual because it is an Egyptian temple, probably dating back to 200 BC! It is not a reconstruction or a fake, it is a real Egyptian temple, donated by Egypt following the help of Spain during the work on the Aswan Dam. Absolutely not to be missed!
Visit it in the late afternoon: it is a spectacular place to take some photos. We recommend you therefore visit it in the late afternoon, even better at sunset, when the sun is low and the light creates wonderful reflections on the water.
7 - Gran Vìa
Once you have admired the Tempio de Debod, enjoy a stroll down Gran Vía, Madrid's most fashionable shopping street. The starting point of the city's most famous avenue is actually Plaza de España!
The cities of New York and Chicago were taken as inspiration to build this street. It is a true shopping paradise and, due to the presence of numerous theatres, is also called the Broadway of Madrid. Enjoy a stroll along the street and among its shop windows, perhaps even stopping for an aperitif in one of the many bars. Don't miss a stop in front of two of the most famous buildings on the street: the Edificio Telefonica and the Edificio Metrópolis.
Watch a flamenco show: on Gran Vìa is the Tablao Flamenco Torres Bermejas, known for its live flamenco shows. Here you can dine and watch a show inside a venue with a unique atmosphere, reminiscent of the charms of Granada. Info and costs here
Day 2
Distance travelled: 1.6 km
Places visited: Museo Nacional del Prado(entrance fee €15.00), Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid (€6.00), Parque de El Retiro, Plaza de Cibeles
Where to eat: Lunch at Bodega de los Secretos(Get directions), Dinner at Casa Carola(Get directions)
1 - Museum of your choice in Paseo del Arte
Devote the morning to museum visits in the Paseo del Arte, an area that concentrates three of the world's most important art galleries: the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. Unfortunately, considering the short time available, you will not be able to see them all.
In case you choose the Prado Museum, consider that it will take you the whole morning to visit it (4-5 hours). The other two museums are smaller and take about 2 to 3 hours each to visit.
Here is some information on the three museums:
Prado MuseumThis is one of the most famous museums in the world; it houses masterpieces by Caravaggio, Goya, Raphael and Velasquez (Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun and holidays 10am-7pm; full admission €15.00, concessions €7.50).
Reina Sofia Museum: exhibits works from the early 20th century to the present, including Picasso's famous Guernica (Mon and Wed-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm; concessions €10.00).
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. exhibits paintings from the private collection of the German magnate Thyssen-Bornemisza. It is spread over 4 floors and has about 800 pieces, for a visit at least 2 h (Mon 12am-4pm, Tue-Sun 10am-7pm; entrance fee €13.00).
Plan your visit: If you choose to visit the Prado, make a selection in advance of the works you intend to see. Get a map at the entrance and above all buy your ticket in advance to avoid the long queues at the ticket offices, especially at weekends.
2 - Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid
Once you have finished visiting the museum you are interested in, and after recovering your energies at lunch, in the early part of the afternoon visit the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, the city's marvellous botanic garden (every day from 10:00 a.m., from November to December until 6:00 p.m., March and October until 7:00 p.m., April and September until 8:00 p.m., May and August until 9:00 p.m.; full price €6.00, reduced €4.00).
The Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid was opened in 1755 by order of King Fernando VI and today houses 30,000 plants and flowers. Inside you can stroll through the shady paths, reach the large terraces full of ornamental plants and visit the two greenhouses.
Don't miss the Colección de Bonsáis: inside the garden is a collection of Bonsai trees donated by Felipe González. This is one of the most beautiful and special areas of the garden, not to be missed!
3 - Parque del Retiro
Having completed the visit to the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, the second stop of the afternoon is the famous Parque del Retiro, Madrid's largest park (April to September 6am to 12pm, October to March 6am to 10pm; free admission). Located right next to the Botanical Garden, you can access the park by crossing the Puerta del Ángel Caído.
The Parque del Ritiro is one of the city's main attractions, where you can fully experience the Madrid mood. It covers 145 hectares and is a veritable open-air museum. Inside are large fountains, statues and even palaces, such as the Palacio de Velàsquez and the Palacio de Cristal. Enjoy a stroll along the Paseo de la Argentina and hire a small boat on the lake (rowing boat daily 10am-5.30pm, Mon-Fri €5.80, Sat-Sun €7.50)!
It is also a location full of events: the Book Fair is held at the end of June to mid-July and the tree-lined avenues are filled with many book stalls. In summer there are also numerous shows at the Teatro de Titeres, or Marionette Theatre, perfect if you are travelling with children!
SEE ALSO: Visit the Retiro Park: how to get there, prices and tips
Discover it by Segway: the park is really extensive, you could spend a whole day in it! Discover it by Segway, to get around it easily and to rest your legs after walking around the museum. Info and costs here
4 - Plaza de Cibeles
Finally, end the day by arriving at Plaza de Cibeles, one of the symbols of Madrid! Head to the northernmost part of the park, where you will find the famous Puerta de Alcalá (a must to take a souvenir photo) and from here it is only a 5-minute walk to the famous square.
Plaza de CIbeles is completely surrounded by imposing buildings: it is impossible not to mention the Palacio de Comunicaciones, now housing the offices of the City Council, the Palacio de Buenavista with the headquarters of the Army Headquarters, and the Banco de España, the headquarters of the Bank of Spain. The central point of the square is occupied by the wonderful Fuente de Cibeles, the fountain depicting the goddess Cibeles on a chariot pulled by lions.
Spend the evening in the Barrio de Salamanca: Plaza de Cibeles is also the gateway to the Salamanca district, Madrid's most elegant neighbourhood, ideal for spending a fashionable evening in some of the city's most exclusive clubs!
Day 3
Distance travelled: 7.8 km
Places visited: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium(tour with entrance ticket €15.00), Puerta del Sol, Casa de Campo (free / Cable car a/r €6.00)
Where to eat: Lunch at Rosi La Loca(Get directions), Dinner at Casa Lucio(Get directions)
1 - Santiago Bernabeu or other museum visit
You could start your last day in Madrid by visiting a true temple of football: the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (guided tours Mon-Sat 9:30am-7pm, Sun and holidays 10am-6:30pm; from €25.00). It is located in the northern part of the city, easily accessible by metro thanks to the Santiago Bernabéu stop (metro line 10). Alternatively, the stadium is also one of the tourist bus stops.
The stadium is the place where the important victories of Real Madrid, one of the most successful and famous teams of all time, were celebrated. It is possible to visit the interior via a guided tour(info and costs here), discovering the dressing rooms, the presidential box, reaching the pitch and sitting on the bench. Don't miss the museum, which traces the history of the team and the stadium.
Alternative activity: If you are not particularly interested in visiting the stadium, then we recommend catching up with one of the museums at Paseo del Arte that you didn't get a chance to visit the previous morning.
SEE ALSO: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium visit: how to get there, prices and tips
Plan your visit: tour times vary according to the team's matches. Mornings are the best option because the timetable varies less than in the afternoons. Book your guided tour as early as possible to guarantee you a place at a time that suits you, they sell out quickly.
2 - Casa de Campo Park
Photo by Diario de Madrid. In the afternoon head to Casa de Campo, the largest public park in Madrid! It is located in the western part of the city, behind the Royal Palace. From Puerta del Sol you can get around easily by public transport: take metro line 2 or 3 and get off at Plaza de Espana, here change to line 10 to Lago station.
The Casa de Campo park extends over more than 15,000 hectares and is the place of escape for the citizens of Madrid, who come here to relax and spend some time in the midst of nature. There are so many activities you can do! Let's see them in detail, so you can choose the one that suits you and the time of year you are travelling:
Visit the Lago de la Casa de Campo: the park's lake, with an extension of 8 hectares. Here you can enjoy a walk around it and relax in one of the many places on its shores;
Take the Teleferico Madrid: the park's funicular railway, which takes you to the top, offering spectacular views over the whole city. Open from 12:00 noon, closing time varies between 6:00 and 8:00 pm. Full price €6.00 per person, reduced price €5.00 per person;
Visitto the Zoo Aquarium de Madrid: located in the south-western part of the park, ideal to visit if you are travelling with your family. Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. Full price €24.00, concessions €19.50;
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid: Historical amusement park located next to the zoo. Ideal for an adrenaline-filled afternoon or for those travelling with the family. Open from 12:00 noon, closing time between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Admission from €22.90;
El Lago swimming pool: large public pool next to the lake, with outdoor and indoor pools, ideal for those hot summer days in Madrid! Every day 9am-9pm. Full price €4.50, reduced €3.60.
Short stop in the centre: 
Before heading to Casa de Campo Park, you could make a short stop around Puerta del Sol to have lunch in one of the many cafés and perhaps treat yourself to a delicious chocolate with churros at Chocolatería San Ginés(Get directions).
How much does a weekend in Madrid cost
Madrid, despite being a capital city, is not a particularly expensive city: it has activities and costs within everyone's reach. It is connected to Italy by numerous low-cost flights, which will allow you to save money. For accommodation, the best area to stay in is the Centro, a central district close to the main attractions. Here you can find numerous hostels and accommodation at very affordable prices.
You can also get around on foot most of the time. The main attractions are all in the centre and close to each other. Following our itinerary, you will only need transport on the third day. Alternatively, you can use the convenient tourist bus. It is also not difficult to save money when it comes to eating: you can stop at the numerous markets, where prices are really good, or go tapear.
Let's look in detail at the costs for a weekend in Madrid:
Costsfor eating: approx. €40.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Costs formuseums and attractions: average price €15.00 per day per person following our suggested itinerary
Transport: average price €5.00 per person per day (indicates costs for public transport, possible taxis and transfers to and from the airport)
Hotels, accommodation and B&Bs: from €35.00 per room - see offers
Entertainment: from €15.00 per person per day (including snacks, coffee, aperitifs, drinks, ...)
Total cost of a weekend in Madrid: from €260.00 per person (excluding flights and/or transfers)
Before you go: useful tips
When to visit Madrid: Spring and late summer. Avoid July and August, which are very hot. Months such as January and February are instead cold and without any particular events. May is perhaps the best month of the year - find out more here;
Where to stay: the Centro district is the most central and hosts the main attractions. For families Retiro, Salamanca, Cortes and Madrid de las Austrias districts. For young people and nightlife Malasaña, Chueca and Argüelles - see the neighbourhood map here;
Getaround on foot or by public transport: part of the historical centre can be visited on foot, while you will need public transport mainly for the proposed itinerary on the third day (single trip €1.50) - find out more;
Eat in the markets: these are the best places to sample Madrid street food and also traditional dishes, at great prices. So ideal if you are travelling cheap - find out more here;
Plan your visit to the museums: the large Prado Museums require at least 2 hours each to visit, better 3 hours. Dedicate the right amount of time to each museum and buy your entrance ticket online to avoid queues at the ticket offices;
Go atapear: this refers to going from place to place eating small portions of Spanish specialities (called tapas) as an accompaniment to mugs of cerveza or alcohol in general. It is a bit like 'going per bàcari' in Venice.
