Madrid in 3 Days: tips, what to see, and much more

Three days are hardly enough time to get to know Madrid in depth. However, you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the soul of the second largest city in the European Union and enjoy first-hand its artistic, gastronomic and cultural tradition. Whether in winter or summer, Spain's capital has a lot to offer.

There's nothing better for this first day than booking a seat on the Madrid sightseeing bus to get a glimpse of what the city has to offer and decide which activities best suit your personality. Take note!

Get a good first look at the city

Taking a sightseeing bus tour around Madrid can be an excellent option for you to get your bearings in the city and, why not, decide which places you will visit later on. You can also use it as a means of transport, as you can get on and off at the designated stops as many times as you like.

Depending on the option you choose, you can do a one or two-day tour , with two different routes:

Route 1, Historical Madrid:

• Prado Museum
• Puerta de Alcalá
• Gran Vía
• Plaza de España
• Plaza de Colón
• Debod Temple
• Puerta de Toledo
• Reina Sofía Museum
• Botanical Garden
• Cibeles Square

Route 2 of Modern Madrid:

• Plaza de Neptuno
• Santiago Bernabéu Stadium
• Archaeological Museum
• Natural Science Museum
• Plaza de las Cortes
• Puerta de Alcalá
• Serrano 61, 66
• Nuevos Ministerios

Useful information

• Frequency: every 30 or 40 minutes.
• Price: from 25 € for adults. From 11 € for children. Children under 6 years old travel free.
• What else is included: map of the tour, on-board wifi and audio guide.

Get to know its legacy and history at the Royal Palace

All the wonder of a city torn between history and modernity is told through its architecture: a glimpse of Moorish Madrid, passing through its Castilian period and a guided tour of the Royal Palace reveals the intricate historical legacy of this city to humanity.

A place to understand the context in which today's Spain arose and marvel at the official rooms, the repertoire of paintings by renowned artists such as Goya, among others, and to see one of the most important collections of royal coats of arms and armour in the world.

Without a doubt, the inside of the Royal Palace of Madrid will take you to explore the living past of a city, for many, unknown.

Explore the Almudena Cathedral

The history of the Almudena Cathedral dates back to December 1868, when the Congregation of Slaves of the Virgin of Almudena requested permission from the Archbishop of Toledo to build this church which is dedicated to the Virgin of Almudena, as the first one was demolished during the revolution of the same year.

This Cathedral is located within walking distance of the Royal Palace so it is ideal to include it in your first day in Madrid. The entrance fee to the Cathedral is only 1 euro, money that goes to the maintenance of the temple.

But if you are interested in the history and heritage of this cathedral, my advice is to book a guided tour of the Almudena Cathedral, which also includes a visit to the Royal Palace.

Walk around the Plaza de España

Just a 10-minute walk down Calle Bailén will take you to Plaza de España, a garden area in the city, located in the Argüelles neighbourhood, where you will find a fountain dedicated to the writer Miguel de Cervantes.

Nearby places to visit include:

• The Tower of Madrid
• The España Building
• The headquarters of the Regional Ministry of Culture

Without a doubt a place to breathe fresh air and explore one of the most popular areas of the Spanish capital.

Take a look at the Temple of Debod

Continuing along Calle de Juan Álvarez Mendizábal, on a route that won't take you more than 10 minutes from Plaza de España, you'll reach the Temple of Debod, another must-see on your first day in the city.

This 2nd century BC Egyptian temple is located in the Cuzco Park. It was donated to Spain by the Egyptian government to thank Spain for its help in relocating Abu Simbel for the construction of the great dam of Aswan.

Admission is free and you can enjoy a botanical trail that will be the icing on the cake of this day out in the open air in Madrid.

Take a bite of Madrid

They say that the soul of a city begins to show through its own smells and colours, so taking a gastronomic tour of the flavours of Madrid will be the perfect itinerary for you to take a bit of its essence in your heart.

Its calamari sandwiches and the rest of traditional tapas and wines will show you not only the best of Madrid, but of Spain as a whole.

This tour will take you deep into the local gastronomy and the friendliness of its people, as these types of experiences are renowned for having very friendly guides who know the best flavours of the city.

At first glance, you can already say that you have had an honourable stroll through this magnificent city. On the second day, the recommendation is to ask yourself what has caught your attention and what you would like to see, in order to put together a tailor-made plan. However, here are some attractive options.

Visit a must-see: the Prado Museum

The Prado Museum is one of those places that can be categorized as a jewel in history and where you can appreciate the splendour of European art in all its expression.

Being one of the most appreciated wonders of the world by locals and tourists, I recommend you to buy your tickets to the Prado Museum in advance to make your experience more productive.

However, if you are really interested in the museum, my advice is to book a guided tour of the Prado Museum because it gives you preferential access and, in just 2 hours, you will be able to see and learn about the history of the most important works of artists such as:

• Velázquez
• El Greco
• Rafael
• Goya
• Rubens
• Bosch

Get to know the Golden Age in the Las Letras neighbourhood

To close your day and enter for at least two hours into the time tunnel of Madrid's history, a visit to the district of Las Letras will be the perfect window to get to know one of the most iconic cultural spaces, where monuments, squares and locals will give us an idea of the city's bohemian life,

This neighbourhood is renowned for being one of the oldest and most famous due to the long list of writers, artists and characters that formed part of the Castilian Golden Age, where the arts and literature enjoyed the peak of the political and military development of the Spanish Empire.

Enjoy some tapas at the San Miguel Market

Full belly, happy heart. So goes an old Spanish saying that has become popular in all Spanish-speaking countries and refers to the importance of good food in Spanish culture, as well as the wonderful and varied gastronomy that can be enjoyed in Madrid.

A good place to eat in Madrid is the Mercado de San Miguel, a picturesque space that is more than 100 years old and has become one of the favourite places for locals and visitors alike, with more than 20 restaurant options, dedicated to the motto of offering "quality tapas".

Don't forget to check out the market's website and if you're lucky, experience other activities that take place here throughout the year.

Open the doors of Madrid

This is an inexpensive, open-air tour, exploring those emblematic spaces of the Spanish capital that have been the inspiration of many: Puerta del Sol, Puerta de Alcalá, Puerta de España or Puerta de Toledo.

This tour also gives you the opportunity to appreciate other wonders of the city such as the Gran Vía or the Cibeles Fountain, spaces that define the personality of this cosmopolitan and modern city. Along this spatial line you will be able to enjoy restaurants, cafés and markets where you can buy curiosities and typical souvenirs.

Dark Madrid

But not everything has been said in the city of Doors: we must not forget that Madrid lived with intensity one of the darkest stages of humanity: the so-called Holy Inquisition.

This is an experience that also allows us to know that ghostly and dark side through the oral stories and legends that survive from those times until today and that encompass a complete experience of the city.

One of the most interesting night walks is a tour about the Inquisition, ghosts and legends. Terrifying!

Useful Information

• Duration: 2 hours.
• Price: from 23 €.

You are not an expert on the city, but you can already say that you have seen a good part of the second capital of the European Union. This third day must be enjoyed to the fullest to close this adventure on a high note.

Visit the Reina Sofía Museum

The Reina Sofía Museum is a meeting place for lovers of contemporary art and will present you with some of its best works, including paintings by Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Juan Gris and Francis Bacon, among others.

As with El Prado, I recommend booking tickets to the Reina Sofia museum in advance to save queues and time, but if modern art is your thing, I recommend booking a guided tour of the Reina Sofia which lasts an hour and a quarter.

Visit La Casa Encendida

Just 5 minutes walk from the Reina Sofía Museum, you can visit a fascinating place like La Casa Encendida, a modern and alternative centre for contemporary art exhibitions, where you can also find workshops, cultural meetings, and events for children.

In addition, in this place you will also find a fair trade shop, where you can find works by independent artists that you can support. I like this option because it is a unique opportunity to get closer to local art and learn more about the cultural scene in a city like Madrid that never stops.

Discover Las Ventas Bullring

Although a bit far from La Casa Encendida, a worthwhile stop on your tour of Madrid is the Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas. Tour Spain's bullfighting headquarters, visit the bullfighting museum and step into the ring as the great masters of this traditional Spanish fiesta do.

With your audio-guided ticket for this bullring tour you can also book the option of having a tapa and a drink.

Visit the museum of tomorrow: Ikono Madrid

For those attracted to experiential spaces and sensory experiences,:visiting Ikono Madrid may be a tempting option. This is a space of about 600 metres, located in the heart of Madrid, which has been gaining fame among locals and foreigners for the different installations it exhibits inside.

From ball pools to walks through magical forests, it is designed to enjoy an expedition that mixes the best of the digital world, the multimedia universe and the interactive experience, making ita space conducive to disconnect from the outside, let your imagination fly and immerse yourself in a unique experience.

It is worth saying that if you want to visit this place it is advisable to book in advance, as it has gained fame as one of the most successful futuristic museums in Europe. Ahh! And it is a place that can also provide children with a unique experience.

Close in style with a flamenco show

To close as it should be, nothing better than a good musical journey and what better way to do it than to the rhythm of sevillanas and flamenco.

Considered one of the most profound expressions of Spanish culture, Madrid also offers the possibility of evenings to the sound of flamenco singers and tablaos, enjoying a good wine and tapas in the best style, and at any time of the year.

In case you want to have an even more intense and personal experience, it is worth mentioning that many of these tablaos offer locals and visitors the option to learn some fundamental flamenco dance moves or even receive a flamenco lesson with your ticket for a flamenco show in Madrid with specialists about the history of this cultural expression, its origins and diversities.

• Remember to always check availability for each place you plan to visit.
• Booking in advance is a good way to ensure a smooth entry to the city's main tourist attractions.
• It's also worth checking flight arrivals and departures, as well as the different transport options from the airport to the city. This will save you unnecessary running around and give you peace of mind on arrival and departure.
• From Madrid it is relatively easy to embark on expeditions to nearby towns where you can find a variety of cultural, gastronomic and architectural options, etc. and even visits to beautiful places such as Toledo or Segovia.

Enjoy Madrid!