Madrid in 3 days: the perfect first-time itinerary

Three days are enough to fall for Madrid. This itinerary keeps the walking reasonable, groups the sights by area and leaves room for what Madrileños do best: long lunches, evening strolls and tapas until late.

Before you go

Book the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum online: both have timed tickets. Remember that the Reina Sofía is closed on Tuesdays.

Day 1: Habsburg Madrid and the Royal Palace

• Morning: start at Puerta del Sol, then walk to the Plaza Mayor and through the lanes of Habsburg Madrid to the Plaza de la Villa.
• Midday: visit the Royal Palace and its Royal Armoury, then step into the Almudena Cathedral next door.
• Afternoon: relax in the Sabatini Gardens, then walk to the Templo de Debod for the sunset.
• Evening: tapas around the Mercado de San Miguel and the Cava Baja.

Day 2: the Prado and the Retiro

• Morning: the Prado at opening time – Velázquez, Goya and Bosch.
• Midday: lunch in the Barrio de las Letras, around Calle de las Huertas.
• Afternoon: the Retiro Park: a rowing boat on the Great Pond and the Crystal Palace.
• Evening: a drink on Plaza de Santa Ana and dinner nearby.

Day 3: modern art, the Gran Vía and the sunset

• Morning: the Reina Sofía and Picasso’s Guernica (or the Thyssen if it is a Tuesday).
• Midday: lunch near Atocha station, with its tropical garden.
• Afternoon: stroll up the Gran Vía, with its theatres and early 20th-century façades, to the Plaza de España.
• Evening: watch the city light up from a rooftop terrace, then dinner in Malasaña.

Tips

• Eat late: lunch is around 2 pm and dinner from 9 pm.
• Walk in the morning, rest at midday in July and August, when it is very hot.
• Keep your bag closed in Sol, on the metro and in crowded markets.

Still choosing a base? Read where to stay in Madrid and our picks of the 5 best hotels in Madrid.