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Bucket list trip:

Madrid 3-day Itinerary

  • Spain

Last updated: 06 June, 2024

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.

Editor note – Dana has not included specific recommendations of where to stay each day unless it’s necessary. Instead, see the ‘Where to stay’ section in our Madrid destination guide.

Day 1

3

Spend your first morning on a walking tour of historic Madrid, then stop for lunch on the panoramic rooftop of the ornate Palacio de Cibeles.

Afterwards, it’s time for the masterpieces by Velasquez, Goya, Titian, and Bosch at the world-famous Prado.

Afterwards, head for cocktails at Pictura, the beautiful bar at the Hotel Ritz. Then hop in a taxi for an unforgettable dinner at Diver XO (booking essential).

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

The grand exterior of the Prado Museum. Made of white stone with multiple pillars, and a carved stone mural set at the top of the entrance building, there is a flag flying atop it. A large statue of a figure cast in dark metal sits in front of the entrance.

Bucket List Experience

Prado Museum

One of the finest museums in the world, the Prado was originally meant to be a museum of natural science. However, by the time it was completed in 1819, its purpose had shifted to that of a grand art exhibition space. Today, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, it is the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collection of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.

Its vast galleries are packed with household-name masterpieces and heavyweight artists – the stars of the show being Velazquez, El Greco and Goya. The hugely impressive permanent collection comprises around 8,000+ drawings, 7,600+ paintings, 4,800+ prints, and 1,000+ sculptures – though at any one time, only 1,300 works are displayed in the main building due to capacity constraints.

There are usually also several world-class temporary exhibitions running alongside the permanent collection.

Adult price: £13

Good for age: 18+

DiverXO

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Staircase into the restaurant entrance

Experience

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.

Adult price: £70

Min age 10

Good for age: 18+

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

  • Official star rating:

Originally built as a lodging place for the aristocratic guests of King Alfonso XIII, the Ritz has been the place to stay in Madrid since it opened more than a century ago.

Located next door to the Prado, recent renovations have seen the 167 rooms upgraded with modern facilities, without this grand old dame losing any of her opulent old-school charm and aristocratic flair.

You have five restaurants and bars overseen by top chef Chef Quique Dacosta, and the lovely outdoor terrace for lunch and dinner, and the fitness and wellness facilities are exceptional. The antique furniture, deep hand-woven carpets and first-class service combine for a sense of privileged luxury the moment you walk through the door.

Average £785

Extra beds

Pool

2+ bedrooms

Beach

Kids menu

Fitness center

Kids club

Day 2

7

Rise early to beat the queues on a visit to the Royal Palace, then cross the Calle de Bailen to the Mirador de la Catedral for the lovely view.

After, wander the city streets to the landmark Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s beating heart. Book in for lunch at nearby Botin – the oldest restaurant in the world.

In the afternoon, take the Bernabeu Stadium tour, or if football is not your thing, stop into nearby Casa Diego to buy a traditional fan, then walk 15 minutes to the Costume & Fashion Museum.

For dinner, book onto a tapas tour and sample some of Madrid cuisine’s enticing tastes and flavours.

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

The exterior of the Royal Palace of Madrid. It is a grand building made of pale grey stone, with a Spanish flag flying atop it. The courtyard in front is made of dark and light grey stone, and the sky is blue with wispy clouds.

Bucket List Experience

Royal Palace of Madrid

The House of Borbon-Anjou, led by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, is the reigning royal house in Spain. Although not as globally renowned as their UK counterparts, the Spanish Monarchy remains high profile and (mostly) revered in Spain, and an integral part of the country’s culture and history.

This lavish 18th-century royal palace is their official residence (though they actually live at the Zarzuela Palace, also in Madrid). It’s an example of Neoclassical grandeur on an epic scale, with some 2,000 rooms.

Although only part of the palace is open to the public, ornate decorations bombard your senses at every turn – most opulent of all is the scarlet and gold Throne Room, with a ceiling painted by Tiepolo.

Adult price: £8

Good for age: 18+

Almudena Cathedral

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Almudena Cathedral. A cathedral, with a central dome, pillars, and decorative elements. Pedestrians walk in the square in front of it.

Experience

Opposite the Royal Palace and the seat of Madrid’s Catholic Archbishop. Building started in 1880 and only officially finished in 1993, when it was subsequently consecrated by Pope John Paul II. Inside, it surprises with contemporary chapels, cupolas, statues and décor. Worth a stop if churches are your thing.

Adult price: £1

Good for age: 18+

Plaza Mayor

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

A view from the side of Plaza Mayor. Tables and chairs from cafes sit the the sun, people walk around on the cobblestone plaza.

Experience

Madrid’s big, Baroque main square, completed in 1619, is enclosed by stately symmetrical buildings and porticoed walks. For centuries it was the theatre of city life – witnessing coronations, bullfights, jousts, football matches, beatifications, and executions. Today, it’s Madrid’s beating heart, packed with cafés and restaurants.

Good for age: 4+

Casa de Diego

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

A traditional Spanish hand fan - black lace on top of the fan fabric which shows a pastoral scene.

Experience

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.

Good for age: 13+

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

If you have even a passing interest in fashion, then it’s definitely worth seeking out Madrid’s brilliant costume museum, with over 150,000 garments illustrating the evolution of fashion through history, from the Middle Ages until today.

Permanent displays range from Hispano-Muslim designs to stunning pieces by the likes of Balenciaga, Paco Rabanne and Mariano Fortuny. Temporary exhibitions showcase a mix of contemporary designers and historical trends. The gift shop is a great place to pick up unusual presents, with a wide selection of contemporary jewellery and accessories.

This museum is the embodiment of Madrid’s reputation as a style capital.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 8+

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Aerial view of the empty blue and white Real Madrid stadium.

Bucket List Experience

Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium

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.

Adult price: £10

Good for age: 6+

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Seafood paella in a large frying pan at a street food festival. Whole shrimps and mussels are arranged in a circle on top of the rice dish.

Bucket List Experience

Madrid’s best food & drink

With over 6,000 restaurants serving dishes from all around Spain (and the world), Madrid is a funfair for foodies,. Join the locals at traditional restaurants, informal tapas bars, gourmet food markets, and the new Michelin restaurants setting off gastronomic fireworks.

As the capital city, Madrid has sucked up influences and talented chefs from all across Spain. There is a vast range of fresh seafood, fabulous tapas (patatas bravas were invented here), side by side with the hearty dishes of the interior – roast lamb, suckling pig and stews.

Alongside all these old favourites, a new breed of chef, each with their own personality and style of cooking, have made eating out in Madrid an adventure.

Good for age: 18+

Duration: Any

Day 3

5

Spend the morning with the masterpieces in the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum and/or the contemporary art at the Reina Sofia.

Follow the art fest with an atmospheric lunch in the 17th-century cellars at Bodega de los Secretos, then relax at the Hammam Al Andalus.

In the evening, book in for a Michelin-starred dinner and flamenco show at the Corral de la Moreria (bookings essential).

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

This outstanding art collection – accumulated by Swiss industrialist Baron Hans-Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza – tells the story of 800 years of art history, from 13th-century Italian Gothic paintings all the way up to 20th-century Pop Art. One of the world’s largest private collections, this treasure trove of nearly a thousand paintings is housed in a grand 18th-century neoclassical palace

Major highlights include paintings by Ghirlandaio, Durer, Titian, Raphael, Degas and Kandinsky. There’s usually at least one temporary exhibition on, too, and a lovely terrace bar on the rooftop.

Adult price: £10

Good for age: 18+

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Exterior facade looking at the front. a plain stone building with twin glass elevator towers on either side

Bucket List Experience

Reina Sofia National Museum

Madrid’s world-class modern art museum, housed in a vast 18th-century former hospital with an extension by Jean Nouvel, has a collection encompassing art from the beginning of the 20th century onwards. The museum is mainly dedicated to Spanish art, and is home to outstanding collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.

Works by other Spanish artists such as Miro, Chillida and Tapies sit alongside international names such as Francis Bacon, Donald Judd and Gerhard Richter, and there are always a few worthwhile temporary exhibitions. No wonder it ranks 6th on the list of the world’s most visited art museums.

Adult price: £8

Good for age: 18+

Hammam at Al Andalus Madrid

  • Madrid, Spain

Hammam at Al Andalus Madrid

Experience

If you need some time out from the hectic delights of this vibrant city, head to this excellent hammam, a modern-day version of the traditional Andalusian bathhouse experience, to soak in the hot spa baths. Traditional treatments include steamy massage, hot stones and kessa gloves.

Adult price: £60

Min age 25

Good for age: 13+

Duration: 2+ hours

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

A flamenco dancer wearing a black flamenco dress poses with her arms above her head at the top of a series of steps. She is wearing a red flower in her hair.

Bucket List Experience

Flamenco in Madrid

Madrid is the capital of flamenco, in the same way that Hollywood is the capital of film. All the stars head to the capital’s famous tablao, or flamenco clubs – the singers to perform the emotion-packed cante jondo (‘deep song’); the dancers to stamp their heels fast and hard in a taconeo, to the percussive strumming of the guitar players.

The combination of the music, dancing and powerful rhythms are irresistible – on the best evenings, you will feel the duende, the ‘demon’ spirit of emotional catharsis, and find yourself shouting Olé!

Adult price: £10

Good for age: 13+

Duration: 90+ minutes

When: All year round

Freq: daily

Corral de la Moreria

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Sexy flamenco dancer performing her dance in a red long dress.

Experience

In a historic setting by the Royal Palace, this superb, award-winning club was founded in 1956, making it the oldest in Madrid.

Adult price: £12

Good for age: 13+

Day 4

3

In the morning, book onto a guided tour of El Escorial Palace, one hour outside of the city, and the spooky Valley of the Fallen.

Back in Madrid, re-energize with hot chocolate and churros at the Chocolateria San Gines, then make your way north, poking around the little shops and sidewalk cafes of the lively Chueca quarter before an informal dinner at the San Ildefonso Market.

  • San Lorenzo del Escorial , Community of Madrid, Spain

El Escorial Palace seen from a distance. Foliage sits in the foreground, while mountains rise in the background.

Bucket List Experience

El Escorial Palace

This vast royal palace and monastery, 40km outside of Madrid in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, was commissioned as a royal residence by King Philip II during the 16th century.

A rich collection of art includes works by Titian, El Greco, Velazquez and Bosch; the library is 55m long and contains more than 40,000 books and documents, while the octagonal pantheon contains the tombs of nearly every Spanish monarch.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, for many the highlight of this vast complex is the lavish library, with ceiling frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi, Michelangelo’s disciple. Its collection of ancient and rare books includes the famous ‘Golden Gospel’, the Codex Aureus.

Adult price: £13

Good for age: 18+

Chocolateria San Gines

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

An overhead photo of churros on a white plate. One churro has been half dipped into a mug of hot chocolate.

Experience

Founded in 1894, unchanged with its mirrors and marble tables, this is the place to try Madrid’s favourite snack, churros – long doughnuts dipped in thick hot chocolate – available nightly until 11.30pm.

Good for age: 4+

San Ildefonso Market

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

San Ildefonso Market

Experience

Away from the tourist crowds between the Chueca and Malasana districts, this street market is designed for socialising. It covers three floors, with two terraces and 20 wildly diverse stands and bars; it frequently hosts events.

Min age 18

Good for age: 18+

Sunday only

5

If it’s a Sunday, start the day at the Rastro Flea Market before moving on to a lively Sunday brunch at Museo Chicote. Otherwise, visit one of Spain’s top private art collections in the Lazaro Galdino Museum.

After lunch (or brunch) visit Goya’s delightful masterpiece, the St. Antonio de la Florida and enjoy the Sunday afternoon atmosphere in the Parque del Oeste before taking a sunset ride on the cable car.

Reserve an informal dinner at colourful Rosi La Loca – one of the few restaurants open on Sunday evenings.

El Rastro Flea Market

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Busy market stalls with many people looking around and shopping.

Experience

Madrid’s lively Sunday morning flea market sells everything from ceramics to fabrics, handmade shoes and antiques. It has been held in the La Latina district for over 400 years.

Good for age: 13+

Museo Chicote

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

External facade of a street bar

Experience

Spain’s oldest cocktail bar, founded in 1931; along with bucketloads of atmosphere is a wall of photos of the movie stars (Sinatra, Grace Kelley etc.) who once sipped drinks here. Go for Sunday afternoon brunch with a DJ.

Min age 18

Good for age: 18+

Lazaro Galdiano Museum

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Display artworks and large glass casing inside the Lazaro Galdiano Museum

Experience

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.

Adult price: £6

Good for age: 18+

Royal Chapel of St Anthony of La Florida

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

View of the domed roof with exquisite Goya frescoes

Experience

Goya devotees should see his work at its most delightful in this chapel (now a museum), that’s also the artist’s final resting place.

Good for age: 18+

Madrid Cable Car

  • Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Cable car over casa de campo park in Madrid, Spain. The blue cable cars are above the trees in the park, with the city visible in the background.

Experience

Grab the best views of the city from this cable car, which runs from Paseo del Pintor Rosales to the Casa de Campo park and zoo. It’s a 2.5km ride and takes around 11 minutes.

Adult price: £3

Good for age: 6+

Duration: 11 minutes