What To Do In Madrid For 3 Days (First Time Visitor’s Guide)
Wondering what to do for 3 Days in Madrid? Read on to find out!
If you plan to visit Madrid for the first time, three days is the ideal length, provided you know beforehand what to do and where to visit to make the most of your trip.
With its world-class museums, bustling markets and lively plazas, you can have a seriously great time in the classy Spanish capital in just three days.
Having lived and worked in Madrid for eight months, I’m the perfect blogger to guide your first visit to the capital.
This guide is specifically for first-time visitors to the capital, focusing on the best things to do in Madrid over three days. It allows you to mix and match experiences based on your interests, pace, and travel style.
⌚ Short on Time? My Hotel Recommendations for Madrid:
Petit Hostel La Latina (Budget Recommendation)
Petit Palace Triball (Mid-Range Recommendation)
Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid (Luxury Recommendation)
Is 3 Days In Madrid Enough?
In short, yes, three days is, in my opinion, enough time to visit Madrid, especially if you’ve never been before.
Three days will allow you enough time to visit the major tourist attractions, food markets, museums, theatre shows, parks and more.
Madrid is an exciting capital with great energy; it’s impossible to have a bad time! I fell in love with the city so much that I ended up working there for eight months.
So let’s see what exactly you can do in just three days in this ultimate first-timer’s guide to Madrid.
The Absolute Must-See Sights In Madrid
Firstly, let’s take a look at what the absolute must-see sights you have to visit during three days in Madrid:
Royal Palace of Madrid
There’s no better place to begin your trip to Madrid than with a visit to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real).
It’s the largest royal palace in Europe, with over 3,000 rooms. Nowadays, it’s only used for state ceremonies.
Both the exterior and interior are a must-see, from the opulent architecture to the impressive Throne Room and Royal Armoury.
Right next door to the Palace is the equally impressive Almudena Cathedral, a perfect example of neo-Gothic and neo-Romanesque architecture.
The Royal Palace is open seven days a week from 10am to 6pm, and I recommend booking your ticket online in advance:
➡️ Take a Royal Palace Guided Tour with a Skip-the-Line Ticket
Book your ticket in advance here
The Prado Museum
Madrid has many contemporary and Renaissance art museums. The Prado Museum (or Museo Nacional del Prado) is Madrid’s most famous museum and was a place that I visited on several occasions during my stay in the capital.
Based close to the Retiro Park, the Prado makes up Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art (along with Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum).
It boasts the most comprehensive collection of Spanish painting in the world. The Prado currently holds an incredible 7,600 pieces of art ranging from the 12th century to the 20th, including work by Spanish painters Goya and Velazquez.
What’s great about this amazing museum is that it’s totally free from Monday to Friday, between 6pm and 8pm, and 5pm to 7pm on Sundays, but expect queues.
It’s recommended to spend around three hours on your visit to the Prado, as there’s just so much art to see!
➡️ Take a Prado Museum Guided Tour with a Skip-the-Line Ticket
Book your ticket without hassle here
👉 Read my Ultimate Guide to Spain here:
30 Bucket List Destinations In Spain That You Simply Must Visit
Retiro Park & Crystal Palace
Madrid may not have its own beach like Barcelona does, but it has the next best thing: the Retiro Park.
This place is highly regarded as one of the best city parks in the world, and is my favourite place in the whole city; I would make sure to visit it as often as possible.
Belonging to the Spanish monarchy until the 19th century, the Retiro covers over 125 hectares with over 15,000 trees, making it a luscious, calm oasis from the busy, crowded centre of Madrid.
In 2021, the park officially became a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s not difficult to see why.
The Palacio de Cristal (or the Glass Palace) in the heart of the park is the Retiro’s best sight, however. It’s a magnificent conservatory made entirely out of glass and an iron framework, and there’s usually an art exhibition taking place inside.
Neighbourhoods Worth Exploring Over 3 Days
Madrid has several lively and charming neighbourhoods, each one different to the next. Here are (in my opinion) the three best neighbourhoods to visit in Madrid:
La Latina
The best neighbourhood in Madrid with the liveliest atmosphere is La Latina. Here you’ll find alleyways and narrow lanes full of tapas bars, cocktail bars and nightclubs.
Be warned, however: Madrid locals party into the early hours, so the area can be noisy and overcrowded, especially on a weekend or a Friday night.
Lavapies
There are many neighbourhoods in the capital that have a great social scene and are worth checking out, such as Lavapies in the southern part of the city.
This is a vibrant, multicultural district with several excellent Indian restaurants if you want a change from the usual tapas.
Lavapies is my favourite Madrid neighbourhood. I love the diverse community and how unique it feels from the main city centre, which is just a short walk away.
Barrio de las Letras
Wander through the Barrio de las Letras, known as the Literary Quarter. This area was once home to famous writers such as Cervantes and Lope de Vega.
Here you can admire the quotes etched into the streets and explore the numerous boutiques and bookshops.
👉 Read my Travel Itinerary for Southern Spain here:
The Best Andalusia Itinerary: A 12-Day Guide To Southern Spain
Food Experiences You Shouldn’t Miss In Madrid
Madrid is an absolute dream city for any foodie to visit. Whether you want to visit a classic tapas bar, a high-end fine dining restaurant or a busy food market, Madrid has got you covered.
Here are my top food experiences recommendations to consider during your three-day visit:
Mercado de San Miguel
This historic indoor market is a foodie’s heaven and a celebration of Spanish culinary delights. You can try a little bit of everything here, from tapas to fresh seafood, Iberian ham, and plenty of alcoholic beverages.
The impressive iron building itself is a work of art, and it is the oldest market in Madrid, having opened in 1916. It has over thirty stalls selling every type of Spanish food you can imagine, so you definitely won’t go hungry!
Be warned that the prices are higher than what you would pay at other, lesser-known markets, so it’s easy to spend too much in a short amount of time.
I’ve visited the market several times, and it is always one of the first places I visit when in Madrid – the food and the atmosphere make it so special.
The market is a major tourist attraction, pulling in over 10 million people every year. So it’s always going to be busy, especially on weekends.
👉 Pro Tip: If you want to visit Mercado de San Miguel when it’s less busy, then I suggest heading there on a weekday, especially during the afternoon between the busy lunchtime and dinner periods, or even later in the evening.
Try some Churros at San Ginés
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a classic Madrid treat – churros with thick hot chocolate – at the historic Chocolatería San Ginés.
Churros are similar to donuts but instead of being round, they are straight in shape, and equally delicious and filling.
It’s a delightful treat and a somewhat indulgent experience, but enjoying local delicacies is a must, so force yourself to try some!
Join a Madrid Cooking Class
If you want to learn how to cook some authentic, classic Spanish dishes, such as tortilla or paella, then a good idea is to join a cooking class while visiting Madrid.
There are many different types of cooking classes for English speakers available in Madrid, most of which last for 3 to 4 hours. The best part of participating in a cooking class is that you get to sample your delicious creations afterwards!
➡️ Join a 4-hour Spanish Cooking Class in Madrid
Book your ticket easily by clicking here
Unique Things To Do In Madrid
There are plenty of interesting activities to do and places to visit in Madrid that are unique to the Spanish capital. Here are three of the best to consider:
See the amazing Temple of DeBod
Situated in the Parque de la Montana lies one of Madrid’s best kept secrets; the Temple of Debod.
This is an amazing ancient Egyptian temple that was dismantled and given to Spain by the Egyptian government to save it from being destroyed by floods.
Built at the beginning of the 2nd century for the God Amun and the Goddess Isis, the temple was rebuilt and opened to the public in 1972.
Free to enter, the inside walls of the temple are decorated with hieroglyphics; you’ll feel like you’re in Cairo, never mind Madrid.
It’s quite an unusual sight to see this in Madrid, but it is really worth checking out, especially at night-time when the temple is lit up quite spectacularly.
Party like a local at a nightclub
Madrid is full of nightclubs, and the city has a thriving social scene that rivals any other popular European city.
If visiting a nightclub is definitely your cup of tea, then I recommend visiting Madrid’s biggest and most popular nightclub, Teatro Kapital.
This is one of the most famous clubs in Europe; it has a total of seven huge floors and is easily the largest nightclub I’ve ever visited. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday nights (apart from Saturday) from 11pm to late.
Here are some other unique things to do in Madrid:
- Go to an unforgettable Flamenco show.
- Visit Real Madrid’s home on a tour of the Bernabéu stadium.
- Enjoy Madrid’s beautiful skyline from one of the city’s many rooftop bars.
How To Prioritise What To Do In Madrid Over 3 Days
With Madrid having so many attractions and things to do, you may be struggling to prioritise what activities to do during your three days in Madrid. If that’s the case, then here’s a simple guide to this problem:
- Art enthusiast? – Visit the Prado Museum and the Golden Triangle of Art.
- Food Lover? – Definitely head to Mercado de San Miguel and perhaps book a cooking class.
- Want a relaxed pace? – Chill out at Retiro Park and perhaps catch a theatre show.
- If none of the above applies to you, then I suggest doing a bit of everything!
Best Day Trips From Madrid
One of the great advantages of Madrid is its location. Because it is based very centrally in Spain, it makes it easy to catch a train to any major city such as Seville, Valencia, Barcelona or a city in lesser-visited northern Spain.
There are fascinating places located even closer to Madrid that are worth a visit, especially if you fancy escaping the busy capital during your three-day trip.
If you just want to visit Madrid and nowhere else, then feel free to skip this section, but here are a couple of the best places that I suggest visiting:
Toledo
Toledo is an ancient city well known for its sword-making and is full of historic buildings. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage city and is a fascinating place to wander around and take in its many beautiful sites.
Toledo is around 45 miles outside of Madrid, and it’s easy to reach via high-speed train, which takes roughly 35 minutes, making for a perfect day trip. I took a day trip from Madrid to Toledo and absolutely loved this hidden gem of a city.
Segovia
Segovia is another impressive ancient city based just outside of Madrid. It’s famous for its incredible Roman Aqueduct, which dates back to the 1st century AD.
This is really one of the most impressive sights you’ll see anywhere and is worth the trip alone. It’s easy to reach Segovia from Madrid via high-speed train. It’s relatively cheap and takes less than 30 minutes.
I have also taken a day trip from Madrid to Segovia and fell in love with the place. I highly recommend a visit.
Some other excellent day trips from Madrid worth considering include: Ávila, Cuenca and Cordoba.
Where to Stay in Madrid
Madrid can be a pricey place to stay, especially in the central neighbourhoods like Malasaña, but there is a wide range of choices available depending on your budget.
Here are three accommodation recommendations at three different price categories:
Budget Recommendation: Petit Hostel La Latina
This hostel has very affordable dormitories and private rooms available at a good value for money.
It’s located centrally within walking distance of most of the city’s top attractions. The staff are considered very friendly and helpful, and the rooms are clean and spacious.
➡️ Check for Availability at Petit Hostel La Latina here
Mid-Range Recommendation: Petit Palace Triball
This 3-star hotel is in a beautiful 19th-century building on Gran Via, Madrid’s famous shopping high street, making it a perfect location.
The hotel has very good facilities, including a 24-hour front desk, an airport shuttle and a highly rated breakfast buffet. Pets are also allowed.
➡️ Check for Availability at Petit Palace Triball here
Luxury Recommendation: Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid
This 4-star luxurious hotel is situated in Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s most famous plaza, making it an ideal stay if you fancy a high-end stay in the capital.
It has two swimming pools, two restaurants, a spa and wellness centre, a fitness centre and of course, amazing views of the city.
➡️ Check for Availability at Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid here
Map of Madrid
Check out this interactive map of Madrid, featuring pins of all the locations mentioned in this blog post:
Useful Links For Your Trip
Here are some helpful links to help plan your trip to Madrid:
🚄 Book trains, buses, ferries in Spain – find trains from Madrid to Barcelona, ferries to the Canary Islands and more.
🏨 Find hotels in Spain – from budget stays in Seoul to beach resorts in Andalusia and more.
🍜 Join a food tour in Spain – try tapas in Seville, taste wine in Madrid and more.
🌅 Book a day trip in Spain – take a trip from Barcelona to Montserrat, go on a bike ride in Valencia and more.
What To Do In Madrid For 3 Days FAQs
Still not sure about what to do in Madrid for three days? Let’s answer some commonly asked questions about the Spanish capital:
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
There is never really a bad time to visit Madrid, but for the most enjoyable experience, head to the capital any time during the spring or autumn months.
May is a good month, to visit as it’s when the famous festival, Fiesta de San Isidro, occurs. There are many famous festivals in Spain throughout the year, and this is arguably the best one.
Madrid is known to have several heatwaves during the summer months, making for hot and humid conditions, which I can confirm having spent a couple of muggy summers in the Spanish capital.
Winter time is also a good option, with Madrid often experiences above-average temperatures during the cold winter months.
Madrid vs Barcelona: which is better?
Most people say that Barcelona is better as it has everything Madrid has to offer, plus a beach! And for sure, if you fancy some relaxing time soaking up the rays on a beach, then Barcelona is a good choice.
But keep in mind that Barcelona is Spain’s tourist capital and attracts a huge number of travellers throughout the year.
While Madrid is still popular with tourists, it does feel more authentically Spanish compared to Barcelona, in my opinion. Read more about why Madrid is worth visiting here.
Is it easy to travel around Madrid?
Yes, Madrid has a very reliable metro system, which is the fastest and easiest way to travel around the city.
The Madrid Metro has a total of 14 lines, which may be confusing at first, but it’s a great option to get from one side of the city to the other.
Madrid also has a good bus system, and of course, taxis are everywhere. It’s best to avoid renting a car in Madrid as it’s really not necessary.
Madrid is a very easy-to-navigate city, and everyone uses the metro to commute without much hassle. I used to do the daily commute to my workplace in Madrid via metro everyday, and I quite enjoyed the experience overall.
Conclusion: What To Do In Madrid In 3 Days
Madrid’s unique blend of history, art, culture, and culinary delights ensures an unforgettable visit. In my opinion, it is the best city in all of Europe, offering more diversity than Paris or Rome, for example.
While three days is enough time to see the main tourist attractions and do plenty of activities, as outlined in this post, Madrid’s charm is bound to leave you yearning for more.
If you’re wondering what to do in Madrid for 3 days as a first-time visitor, this guide gives you everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip.
I hope you’ve found this blog post useful and now have plenty of ideas about what to do in Madrid for three days, so that you’ll be coming back time and time again.
You may also enjoy reading these blog posts about Spain:
➡️ How To Spend 72 Hours In Seville: A Complete Itinerary For 2026
➡️ Is Alicante Worth Visiting? 10 Reasons Why You Should Go
➡️ Best Time To Walk Camino de Santiago (& The Worst!)
➡️ What I Learned From Walking The Camino de Santiago Alone
➡️ Planning your trip? Here are my favourite resources:
🏨 Accommodation: I recommend using Booking.com
🚙 Rental Car: Use Discover Cars for the best car rental prices
❤️ Travel Insurance: I recommend using Visitors Coverage
✈️ Flights: Use Kiwi.com for the best prices on flights
