3 days in Madrid

Spain

This is the free preview of the Wayfinder guide to Madrid: a realistic three-day plan with a morning sight, a specific lunch spot, an afternoon walk or museum, dinner before drinks, plus hotels for every budget, how local tickets work and the best day trips nearby.

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Day-by-day plan

Day 1 — City Essentials

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Museo del Prado
Velázquez and Goya, first rooms at opening.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Velázquez and Goya, first rooms at opening.
Getting there: Metro Local network · Museo del Prado from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Mercado de la Cebada
Neighborhood market, tourist-free.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Neighborhood market, tourist-free.
Other great options nearby
Casa Dani · €€ · The city's best tortilla.Map
Bodega de la Ardosa · €€ · Classic vermouth and tapas.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · Mercado de la Cebada from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Toma Café
Specialty coffee in Malasaña.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Specialty coffee in Malasaña.
Getting there: Metro Local network · Toma Café from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
La Latina tapas route
Cava Baja, bar after bar.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Cava Baja, bar after bar.
Other great options nearby
Mercado de la Cebada · €€ · Neighborhood market, tourist-free.Map
Casa Dani · €€ · The city's best tortilla.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · La Latina tapas route from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Salmon Guru
World-ranked cocktail bar.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · World-ranked cocktail bar.
Other great options nearby
Villa Rosa flamenco tablao · €€ · Authentic show.Map
Toma Café · €€ · Specialty coffee in Malasaña.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · Salmon Guru from Sol · 10 min · €1.50

Day 2 — Neighborhoods & Local Flavor

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Retiro & Palacio de Cristal
Rowing boat on the lake and rose garden.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Rowing boat on the lake and rose garden.
Getting there: Metro Local network · Retiro & Palacio de Cristal from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Casa Dani
The city's best tortilla.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · The city's best tortilla.
Other great options nearby
Bodega de la Ardosa · €€ · Classic vermouth and tapas.Map
Mercado de la Cebada · €€ · Neighborhood market, tourist-free.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · Casa Dani from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Reina Sofía
Guernica and the Spanish avant-garde.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Guernica and the Spanish avant-garde.
Getting there: Metro Local network · Reina Sofía from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
La Latina tapas route
Cava Baja, bar after bar.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Cava Baja, bar after bar.
Other great options nearby
Casa Dani · €€ · The city's best tortilla.Map
Bodega de la Ardosa · €€ · Classic vermouth and tapas.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · La Latina tapas route from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Villa Rosa flamenco tablao
Authentic show.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Authentic show.
Other great options nearby
Toma Café · €€ · Specialty coffee in Malasaña.Map
Temple of Debod · €€ · Sunset over an Egyptian temple.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · Villa Rosa flamenco tablao from Sol · 10 min · €1.50

Day 3 — Art, Coffee & Hidden Gems

☀️ Morning · 09:00 – 12:00
Royal Palace
Europe's largest royal residence.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Europe's largest royal residence.
Getting there: Metro Local network · Royal Palace from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍕 Lunch · 12:30 – 14:00
Bodega de la Ardosa
Classic vermouth and tapas.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Classic vermouth and tapas.
Other great options nearby
Mercado de la Cebada · €€ · Neighborhood market, tourist-free.Map
Casa Dani · €€ · The city's best tortilla.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · Bodega de la Ardosa from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30 – 18:30
Temple of Debod
Sunset over an Egyptian temple.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Sunset over an Egyptian temple.
Getting there: Metro Local network · Temple of Debod from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍷 Dinner · 19:30 – 21:30
La Latina tapas route
Cava Baja, bar after bar.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · Cava Baja, bar after bar.
Other great options nearby
Bodega de la Ardosa · €€ · Classic vermouth and tapas.Map
Mercado de la Cebada · €€ · Neighborhood market, tourist-free.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · La Latina tapas route from Sol · 10 min · €1.50
🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+
Salmon Guru
World-ranked cocktail bar.
⭐ 4.5 · €€ · World-ranked cocktail bar.
Other great options nearby
Temple of Debod · €€ · Sunset over an Egyptian temple.Map
Villa Rosa flamenco tablao · €€ · Authentic show.Map
Getting there: Metro Local network · Salmon Guru from Sol · 10 min · €1.50

Day trip idea: Toledo · 33 min by AVANT from Atocha → Toledo · ≈ €14

Where to stay in Madrid

Budget / boutique

Room Mate Alicia

Madrid · Plaza Santa Ana · ⭐ 8.6 · €€ · ≈ €100–135 / night

Check availability

Mid-range

Only YOU Boutique Hotel

Madrid · Chueca · ⭐ 9 · €€€ · ≈ €190–240 / night

Check availability

Luxury

Rosewood Villa Magna

Madrid · Paseo de la Castellana · ⭐ 9.4 · €€€€ · €700+ / night

Check availability

Flying in from overseas

What travelers from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia need to sort out before a long-haul trip to Madrid.

Flight time & jet lag: Most long-haul flights land in Europe early morning. Plan a light first day — a walk and an outdoor lunch beat a museum. This 3-day plan keeps day 1 gentle so you can push through to a local bedtime.
Entry requirements: US, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Korean and Singaporean passport holders enter the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180, but must register for ETIAS online before departure. Passport should be valid 3+ months past your return date.
Phone & data (eSIM): Skip roaming charges: install a Europe-wide eSIM (Airalo, Holafly or your carrier's international day pass) before you leave home. One eSIM covers the whole trip, including day trips across borders.
Power adapters: Type C/F outlets at 230V. US and Canadian travelers need a plug adapter; check that hair tools are dual-voltage.
Money & cards: Tap-to-pay works nearly everywhere in Madrid. Use a card with no foreign transaction fee, always choose to be charged in the local currency, and carry about 20 in small bills for markets and restrooms.
Airport to city: Book nothing in advance for the airport run — Madrid has a train or express bus that beats a taxi on both price and time. The transport section below has the official operator and ticket app.

Full long-haul planning guide

Practical tips for Spain

Transport & tickets: Renfe for trains · TMB app (Barcelona) and Metro de Madrid app · multi-ride cards (T-Casual) beat singles
Tipping & payments: Rarely expected · leave small change at restaurants · Tap & Go with a contactless card or Apple Pay directly at the validators in Madrid.
Emergency numbers: 112 · Police 091
Power sockets: Type C / F · 230V

When to go: events in Madrid

Mercado de Navidad Plaza Mayor
Dec – Jan · Christmas market
A traditional market with nativity figurines.
San Isidro
May 15 · Festival
Chulapos, chotis and tapas across the city.
Reyes Magos
Jan 5 · Carnival
The Three Kings parade with sweets thrown into the crowd.

Day trips from Madrid

Toledo
33 min by AVANT · from Atocha → Toledo · ≈ €14
Gothic cathedral · El Greco · Marzipan
Segovia
27 min by AVE · from Chamartín → Segovia · ≈ €13
Roman aqueduct · Alcázar · Cochinillo

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3 days in Madrid, Spain — an hour-by-hour plan with real restaurants, hotels at every budget and local transit tickets. Built for travelers flying in from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

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