Spain · 3 days · 16 stops
3 days in Madrid – a ready-made itinerary
Madrid is a city of squares, museums and late evenings. Day one covers the old centre around Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, day two the museums on the Paseo del Prado with Retiro Park, and day three the old town of Toledo. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 16 stops
- Highlights
- Puerta del Sol, Museo del Prado, Alcázar of Toledo, Plaza Mayor, Almudena Cathedral
- Day trips
- Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace; Prado, Retiro and Reina Sofía; Day trip to Toledo
- Where to stay
- Barrio de las Letras, Malasaña
- Getting around
- Explore the centre between Sol, the palace and the Prado on foot.
- Best time to go
- April to June and September and October are the nicest months.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Day 1
Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace
Puerta del Sol
The central square with the bear and strawberry tree statue and Spain's kilometre zero.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Puerta del Solabout 5 min on foot
Plaza Mayor
The big 17th-century square, lined with arcades all round. It is still empty in the morning.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Plaza Mayorright next door
Mercado de San Miguel
An iron-and-glass market hall with tapas stalls. Good for a snack, rather pricey for a full meal.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mercado de San Miguelabout 10 min on foot
Almudena Cathedral
The cathedral opposite the palace, only consecrated in 1993. Brightly painted ceilings inside.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Almudena Cathedralabout 5 min on foot
Royal Palace
One of Europe's largest palaces, with a throne room and armoury. Book tickets online in advance.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Royal Palaceabout 10 min on foot
Temple of Debod
A real Egyptian temple in a park. The city's favourite spot at sunset.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Temple of Debod
Day 2
Prado, Retiro and Reina Sofía
Museo del Prado
Velázquez, Goya, Bosch – one of the world's great art museums. Buy a ticket in advance and allow about 3 hours for the main rooms.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Museo del Pradoabout 10 min on foot
Retiro Park
The big city park with a lake where you can hire rowing boats. Good for a break in the shade.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Retiro Parkabout 5 min on foot
Palacio de Cristal
An 1887 glass pavilion beside a small lake, now used for art exhibitions.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palacio de Cristalabout 20 min on foot
Museo Reina Sofía
Modern art in a former hospital. Picasso's Guernica hangs here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Museo Reina Sofíaabout 15 min on foot
Barrio de las Letras
The literary quarter with quotations set into the pavement and lots of tapas bars. Madrid eats late – it fills up from 9 pm.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Barrio de las Letras
Day 3
Day trip to Toledo
High-speed train from Atocha station to Toledo, about 35 minutes. Book tickets in advance. From Toledo station take a bus into the old town or walk uphill, about 20 minutes.
Alcázar of Toledo
The fortress on the highest point of the city, now an army museum. You can see it from everywhere.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Alcázar of Toledoabout 5 min on foot
Toledo Cathedral
Gothic cathedral with paintings by El Greco and Goya in the sacristy. Allow about 1.5 hours.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Toledo Cathedralabout 10 min on foot
Santa María la Blanca Synagogue
White medieval horseshoe arches – a reminder of Toledo's Jewish history.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Santa María la Blanca Synagogueright next door
San Juan de los Reyes
Monastery of the Catholic Monarchs with a Gothic cloister full of stone carving.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): San Juan de los Reyesabout 5 min on foot
San Martín Bridge
Medieval bridge over the Tagus with a view of the old town. Then back to the station.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): San Martín Bridge
Good to know
Best time to go
April to June and September and October are the nicest months. July and August are often hot, well above 30 °C, and many locals are away. Winter is sunny but cold.
Getting around
Explore the centre between Sol, the palace and the Prado on foot. For longer distances take the metro – it is dense and fast. Buy tickets at the machines or via the app. The metro and an express bus run from the airport into the centre.
Where to stay
Barrio de las Letras
Between Sol and the Prado, everything within walking distance. Lots of bars – lively at night.
Malasaña
A young district with cafés, vintage shops and squares. Good if you want to go out in the evening.
Your plan
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Madrid: frequently asked questions
Are 3 days enough for Madrid?
For the centre, the big museums and a day in Toledo, yes. With more time, add Segovia, El Escorial or the Chueca district.
Is the day trip to Toledo worth it?
Yes. The high-speed train gets you there in just over half an hour, and the old town is compact enough for one day.
When is the Prado free?
The Prado and the Reina Sofía have free entry at certain times, and the queues are long then. Check the current times on the museums' websites.
When do people eat in Madrid?
Lunch is usually from 2 pm, dinner rarely before 9 pm. Tapas bridge the gap.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Tim Adams, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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