Travel & transfer: Arrival at Madrid-Barajas Airport
After landing, head to the metro or the Airport Express. As your place of origin is not known, no flight is planned.
3 days · 28 stops
Madrid in 3 days
Three relaxed days in Madrid focused on food, history and architecture: arrival in the centre, the Royal Quarter and museums, finishing with markets and the Retiro.
- Pace
- Balanced
- Budget
- Mid-range
- Season
- May
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Plan with your own wishesDay 1 · Madrid
Arrival and Old Town Tapas
Arrival in Madrid, check-in near Sol and an afternoon and evening around Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel and the tapas bars of Cava Baja.
11:00
12:00
50 min by public transport
12:50
13:40
Travel & transfer: Transfer by Cercanías or metro to Sol
With metro line 8 and a change, or by Cercanías train, you get to the centre easily. A fixed-price taxi would be the faster alternative.
Bahnhof Atocha / Solapprox. 5–€8 pp8 min on foot
13:48
14:18
Stay: Drop off luggage at Hotel Preciados
You drop off your luggage; the room is only ready from about 15:00. Alternatively, Hotel Catalonia Atocha would be possible.
6 min on foot
14:24
15:39
Lunch: Salt cod croquettes at Casa Labra
Known since 1860 for fried cod and croquetas eaten standing at the bar. A true Madrid classic, quick and inexpensive.
Casa Labraapprox. 10–€16 ppOrder the Soldaditos de Pavía and croquetas directly at the counter on the left; it's faster than at a table.
7 min on foot
15:46
16:56
Sightseeing: Plaza Mayor and arcades
4 min on foot
17:00
17:45
Café: Coffee and pastries at El Riojano
The pastry shop from 1855 with wood panelling is a quiet, traditional place for a break. Try the mantecadas or bartolillos.
Pastelería El Riojanoapprox. 6–€12 pp5 min on foot
17:50
18:35
Sightseeing: Art Nouveau iron hall Mercado de San Miguel
The iron and glass market hall from 1916 shows off beautiful architecture. Treat yourself to just a small taster; dinner comes later.
Mercado de San Miguelapprox. 4–€10 pp3 min on foot
18:45
19:45
Hidden gem: Baroque Basílica de San Miguel
The small Baroque church from the 18th century is only a few steps away and rarely visited. It is a quiet contrast to the bustle.
8 min on foot
20:15
21:00
Drinks: Vermouth at Taberna La Concha
A small vermouth as an aperitif on Cava Baja gets you in the mood for the tapas round. The bar is popular with locals.
Taberna La Conchaapprox. 5–€10 pp4 min on foot
21:15
22:45
Dinner: Tapas dinner at Tempranillo
The wine bar on Cava Baja offers many wines by the glass and good tapas such as ham and cheese. Casa Lucas, right nearby, is an alternative.
Taberna Tempranilloapprox. 25–€38 pp
Day 2 · Madrid
Royal City and Art Mile
A day between the Royal Quarter, the cathedral and the Prado: first churros and the palace, then Gran Vía and the art mile, and in the evening tapas in the Barrio de las Letras.
09:00
10:00
Breakfast: Churros con chocolate at Chocolatería San Ginés
The classic since 1894: thick hot chocolate with fresh churros, a true Madrid start to the day. Alternative: Pastelería Mallorca nearby.
Chocolatería San Ginésapprox. 6–€10 pp8 min on foot
10:15
12:15
Sightseeing: Royal Palace of Madrid
Magnificent halls, the throne room and the armoury in one of the largest palaces in Europe.
Palacio Realapprox. 13–€14 ppBook tickets online in advance to skip the queue at the entrance.
15 min on foot
12:30
13:00
Sightseeing: Templo de Debod and Parque del Oeste
A genuine Egyptian temple from the 2nd century BC in the middle of Madrid, with wide views over the city. Quieter than the major sights.
20 min by public transport
13:20
14:35
Lunch: Lunch at Casa Mundial
A long-established bar in Malasaña, known for squid and tapas, full of locals. Backup: Bodega de la Ardosa.
Casa Mundialapprox. 18–€28 pp12 min on foot
14:47
15:32
Sightseeing: Gran Vía and Edificio Metrópolis
A stroll along the Gran Vía with Art Deco and Beaux-Arts façades; the highlight is the Edificio Metrópolis on Calle de Alcalá.
4 min on foot
15:45
16:30
Café: Coffee break at the Círculo de Bellas Artes
A large historic café in an Art Nouveau hall with murals, ideal for a break. If you like, go up to the rooftop terrace.
Café del Círculo de Bellas Artesapprox. 4–€8 pp15 min on foot
17:00
19:00
Sightseeing: Museo del Prado
Velázquez, Goya and El Greco in one of the best art museums in the world. Concentrate on Las Meninas and Goya's Black Paintings.
Museo Nacional del Pradoapprox. €15 ppFrom 18:00 admission is free Mon-Sat, but with a long queue. A pre-booked ticket is more relaxed.
20 min by public transport
19:20
20:15
Drinks: Vermouth at Taberna Antonio Sánchez
The taberna from 1830 in Lavapiés with a zinc counter and bullfighting decor is a Madrid original. Backup: La Venencia.
Taberna Antonio Sánchezapprox. 6–€12 pp12 min on foot
21:00
22:30
Dinner: Dinner at Casa Alberto
Casa Albertoapprox. 30–€45 ppOrder the rabo de toro, the house speciality.
Day 3 · Madrid
Retiro, Salamanca and Farewell
Your farewell day takes you through the Retiro and the elegant Barrio de Salamanca, with a market hall and local favourites, before heading to the airport with a relaxed time buffer.
08:30
09:30
Breakfast: Breakfast at Hotel Preciados
A relaxed start with breakfast at the hotel, then check out and leave your luggage at reception.
Hotel Preciadosapprox. 0–€15 pp20 min by public transport
09:50
10:20
Café: Coffee and pastries at Pastelería Hojaldre
Pastelería Hojaldreapprox. 4–€8 pp10 min on foot
10:35
12:30
Sightseeing: Walk through the Retiro with the Palacio de Cristal
10 min on foot
12:40
13:10
Sightseeing: Photo stop at the Puerta de Alcalá
The neoclassical triumphal arch stands right by the park exit and is a lovely architectural finish to your visit to the park.
15 min on foot
13:25
14:50
Lunch: Lunch at the Mercado de la Paz
Mercado de la Pazapprox. 15–€25 pp10 min on foot
15:00
16:00
Sightseeing: Neo-Byzantine church in Salamanca
A little-visited church with Moorish-Byzantine architecture, a quiet architectural tip away from the tourist trails.
15 min on foot
16:15
17:00
Café: Farewell coffee at Café Gijón
A traditional literary café from 1888 on the Paseo de Recoletos, steeped in history. A classic finish with coffee and pastries.
Café Gijónapprox. 6–€12 pp20 min by public transport
17:20
17:50
Stay: Pick up your luggage at Hotel Preciados
Head back to the hotel, collect your luggage and get ready to depart.
10 min by public transport
18:00
19:00
Travel & transfer: Transfer to Madrid-Barajas Airport
Take Metro Line 10 and Line 8 to the terminal, or take a taxi at a fixed fare. Allow plenty of buffer time before your flight.
Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajasapprox. 5–€33 pp
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FAQ
How many days do you need for Madrid?
2 to 3 days are enough for the main sights. With 4 days there is time for another museum or a day trip to Toledo or Segovia.
Where is the best place to stay in Madrid?
For short trips, the centre around Sol, La Latina and Huertas is ideal, because you can reach almost everything on foot. Malasaña and Chueca offer more nightlife, Salamanca more peace and quiet.
Is Madrid expensive?
Compared with Germany, Austria or Switzerland, Madrid is usually cheaper for food and public transport. Accommodation in the centre and museum admissions add up the most.