First Time in Madrid Things to Do: 3 Day Itinerary
Madrid is the capital of Spain that is a modern mix of culture and food entwined with history. It makes for a beautiful city to explore!
Day 1: Madrid: Walking Tour, Market, and Gran Via
Walking Tour Madrid
The best way to capture the city’s hidden historical stories and orient yourself is a walking tour! WE love doing these, at least one in every city and if possible we highly recommend doing it on the first day!
We love doing free walking tours with the concept being you pay at the end of the tour. These tours are done by locals so you get a glimpse of everyday life in addition to the historical backdrop. Usually range from 1.5-2 hours. We have no affiliation with them, but absolutely love the options here.
San Miguel Market
The market was first opened in 1916 and now showcases Madrid’s first gourmet market with local vendors. It is a bit on the pricey side compared to the local food, but definitely worth a visit and has delicious food!
We highly recommend the stall La Hora del Vermut. Vermouth is a type of wine with herbs and is engrained in the Spanish culture more so in Madrid.
If you haven’t had it Madrid- you have to try it!
Technically you are supposed to drink this before lunch but go check it out anytime of the day!
Gran Via
This is a very lively long main street famous for its nightlife! Also offers tons of shopping and dining experiences!
Day 2: Churros, Museums, and Buen Retiro Park
Churros Con Chocolate
AKA Churros with Chocolate. Did you know that churros are traditionally eaten for breakfast?! The churros are served with a cup of liquidy chocolate and are fried dough (no extra sugary coatings) that you dip in chocolate right before eating. It is absolutely brilliant!
Chocolateria San Gines
This is an institution founded in 1894 that you have to try when in Madrid. It is open 24 hours a day and is famous for churros con chocolate. This is the most famous, but after this, please do try the tons of other places you see!
Golden Triangle of Art
If you are into European art you have to visit at least one of the famous museums of Madrid. The famous ones that make up the Golden Triangle include Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Reina Sofía Art Centre, and the Museo del Prado (Prado Museum).
Pick one or check out all of them!
We choose the Prado Museum which was founded in 1819 and today houses artwork from 12th century onwards and has the single largest collection of Spanish art. It makes the list of one of the greatest museums in the world.
It’s about a five minute walk to the next stop. Think about lunch/snacks that you may want in the area.
Puerta de Alcalá
This is one of the famous five ancient gates that welcomed people to Madrid and is now located in the Plaza de la Independencia. It was initially built in the 16th century and is located on the oldest street in Spain. Makes for a beautiful photo op and it is located right next to the park.
Parque del Buen Retiro (Buen Retiro Park)
Until the 19th century this park belonged to the Spanish Monarchy when at that time it became a public park. The architecture and green space is beautiful making for a great place to stroll, take a break and chill, and explore.
Some things to see/do:
Rowboats
Cecilio Rodriguez Gardens
Palacio Cristal
Statue Walk
Dinner/Tapas
Can consider Plaza Espana 9 entry points, lively in the evening with restaurants and bars!
Day 3: Royal Palace, Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor
Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace of Madrid)
The palace was built in 1735 and is the official residence of the Spanish royal family and is used now for state ceremonies. The palace has over 3000 rooms! It is a must see as the interiors are quite beautiful with its own collection of art and wealth!
We recommend taking an audio guide tour at the very least to explore the palace. The entrance ticket also comes with access to the Sabatini Gardens. We would allot about 1.5 to 2.5 hours total to this activity.
Almudena Cathedral
It is located within 5 minutes of the Palace, making for a quick stop if interested. The cathedral was built between 1883-1993. May require a small fee to enter.
Only a 10 min walk to Plaza Mayor.
Plaza Mayor
This is a large grand central square that was once the city center of Old Madrid. It was completed in 1619! The architecture is beautiful and it holds so much historical significance.
Once was home to public executions, bullfights, soccer/football games, and carnivals. Today some cultural events take place here and make a great tourist stop.
Just a five minute walk away, is another square filled with history and sights to see!
La Puerta del Sol
This is another one of Madrid’s famous squares meaning the Sun’s Gate. It’s a common meeting point for tourists and locals alike.
Some highlights include:
Kilometer Zero
This marks the geographic center of Spain and is where distances are measured for roads and railways!
Famous Clock
The Twelve Grapes Spanish tradition is eating a grape as the clock strikes midnight on NYE, one grape for every bell striking here.
Flight out or train to next city!
Check out our Spain page for inspiration posts that include how to spend time in Barcelona, Seville with day trips, and our top 10 list for Tapas to try in Spain! Don’t forget our Q and A Spain filled with tips!
Modifications
If you have more time, consider spacing out some activities above or adding day trips.
Two popular day trips from Madrid include Segovia and Toledo via train. Segovia offers rich culture and history from medieval times, Roman influence,and Gothic design. It is only about 1 hour away. Toledo is a medieval town only 30 minutes train ride from Spain filled with picturesque streets and history. It is also where once Mulisms, Jews, and Christians lived with clear influences seen in food and architecture here.
If you have fewer days, pick your favorites above. Definitely include our top three things: San Miguel Mercado (and get the vermouth!), try churros the Spanish way, and visit Plaza Mayor!
Gracias (Thank you) for spending time with us and reading!!
Pin for later!
