Madrid 3-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Madrid to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Bucket list experience:
Football is a great Madrileno passion, and football in Madrid means either Atletico Madrid (red) or Real Madrid (blue). For an insight into just what football means to the city, head to Real’s 85,000-seater Bernabéu Stadium. Guided tours allow visitors to walk down the players’ tunnel, sit in the presidential box, and marvel at the silverware accumulated during the club’s illustrious 110-year history.
Even if you don’t like football, this is a fascinating insight into one of Madrid’s greatest sporting and cultural institutions.
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Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Madrid to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Madrid to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
The closest metro is Santiago Bernabeu. Official tour tickets are sold online, but also on-site. They start from Torre B (Tower B) on Avenida de Concha Espina. The tour takes about an hour, but you’ll probably spend another hour in the museum and store.
If you want to catch a live match while you’re in town, visit the ticket sales section of the website. Seat prices usually start at £30.
If you happen to be there for the ‘Derby’ – when local teams Atletico and Real play each other, be warned: all hell breaks loose on the streets before, during and after the match.
The stadium is open for tours all year round, seven days a week. Tour times vary, so check the website and book your tickets online in advance.
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[2.7 miles]
An intimate, expensively furnished townhouse in Madrid’s most upmarket neighbourhood, with boutiques and galleries nearby.
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Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[3 miles]
This sophisticated design hotel with great service and a genteel location in Madrid’s upmarket Salamanca district.
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Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[3.8 miles]
Colour-drenched boutique hotel, centrally located on Madrid’s main street – just steps away from the buzzing, bar-filled district of Chueca. A great base for a first visit.
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Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4 miles]
A comfortable, well-equipped and reasonably stylish boutique hotel – superbly located close to the big art museums and great shopping.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Madrid Region, Spain
Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.
Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.6 miles]
Young chef David Munoz is at the helm of Madrid’s acclaimed three Michelin-starred restaurant, creating unique food ‘pictures’ in a Cirque du Soleil ‘Dream World’ atmosphere: there’s nothing quite like it.
Best for ages: 18+ | £70
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[3.8 miles]
A beguiling costume museum, with over 150,000 garments, illustrating the evolution of fashion through history, from the Middle Ages until today.
Best for ages: 10+ | £3
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4.1 miles]
One of the world’s greatest art museums, home to an outstanding collection of art, from 13th-century Italian Gothic paintings to 20th-century Pop Art.
Best for ages: 18+ | £10
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4.4 miles]
Madrid’s most renowned museum, home to the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.
Best for ages: 18+ | £13
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[1.8 miles]
A fantastic private collection of over 12,000 ceramics, jewellery, small bonzes, coins, carvings, manuscripts and other fascinating artefacts from the nineteenth century back to the prehistoric period. It’s housed in a historic Madrid, with original baroque painted ceilings.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[3.3 miles]
This established, grand museum features the beautiful prehistoric bust of the Lady of Elche, as well as Roman weapons and glittering Visigothic gold.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4 miles]
See incredible views over Madrid from this cable car, which runs from Paseo del Pintor Rosales to the Casa de Campo park and zoo.
Best for ages: 6+ | £3 | 11 minutes
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4.2 miles]
Founded in 1858. Spain has long been one of the greatest producers of abanicos – traditional hand fans. This small studio upholds that tradition. The highest quality hand-made fans – with handles made from wood, ebony or bone – are made on site. Each one is a unique, gorgeous work of art.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free