Madrid in 3 Days

Everyone wants to take a weekend getaway to the heart of the capital. But what’s worth seeing in Madrid in 3 days?

We’ll show you what to see and do during your visit to the capital in just 3 days. Keep reading and discover the highlights of Madrid in no time!

Explore Madrid in Three Days: Day by Day

Here’s what you shouldn’t miss during your three-day visit to Madrid—essential restaurants, places of interest, and must-see landmarks.

Let’s get started!

First Day in Madrid

The most important thing to do as soon as you arrive in the capital is to head to our Woohoo accommodations and drop off your luggage so you can explore the city without carrying bags.

If you arrive in the morning, your first stop should be to have breakfast at one of the most famous churro places, La Chocolatería de San Ginés, near Calle Mayor; it’s the best option. After breakfast, you can walk to Sol.

At Puerta del Sol, you can see the famous square where every December 31st, people gather to eat 12 grapes to bring in the new year with luck, next to the clock that sets the pace on all Spanish television.

After visiting Sol, head up Calle de Preciados towards one of Madrid’s most iconic buildings, the Schweppes Tower in Callao.

To get a closer look at the tower, head to the top floor of the building where Woohoo Rooms Boutique Gran Vía is located and enjoy the views while having a mid-morning snack. Who wouldn’t like a tapa and a drink next to Madrid’s most emblematic tower?

Later, after your “tapas,” it’s time to go down Gran Vía towards Plaza España. Gran Vía is full of restaurants of all kinds. After lunch, from Plaza España, take a stroll to the Royal Palace and wander through the surrounding gardens.

To end the day, from there, head towards the Mercado de San Miguel and savor the gastronomy of this market. If you’re on a budget, you can skip the market and head towards Plaza Mayor and try the famous calamari sandwich. What better way to end the day than with a full stomach!

Second Day in Madrid

We’ll start the day at any café because a good coffee wakes everyone up. Although the capital is a bit hectic, and everyone is in a rush, on the second day, we’ll take it easy to fully enjoy Madrid.

The second stop, after breakfast, will be Spain’s busiest street, Gran Vía, as on the previous day. But this time, we’ll walk down the street in the opposite direction towards Cibeles Fountain. During this walk, you can enjoy a relaxing morning of shopping.

After shopping to your heart’s content, when you reach the end of Gran Vía, you’ll find the Cibeles Fountain. One of the most important monuments for Real Madrid’s football team.

If you continue straight on Calle de Alcalá, as the song warned you, you’ll find:

“I lift my eyes and I see her,

And there it is, there it is, there it is,

Watching time go by, the Puerta de Alcalá.”

For lunch, you can either find a nearby restaurant or grab some fast food to take away and head for a picnic in one of the largest parks in the city, El Retiro. After filling your stomach, you can lie down in the gardens and rest. Who wouldn’t want an outdoor nap after so much walking?

After a short break, continue walking through the park, enjoying each magical corner and the various monuments it contains. If you like, you can row in the little boats on the pond next to the Alfonso XII monument.

Later, when you leave the park through the southern gate, you can head towards the Reina Sofía Museum. Starting at 19:00hrs every day of the week, except Sundays starting at 13:3hrs, admission is free. So, you can enjoy wandering through the museum’s halls while admiring the various works it contains.

After leaving the museum, if it’s getting late, you can look for a restaurant to have dinner in the area.

Anything you choose will be delicious; Madrid’s gastronomy is amazing! Then, you can leisurely walk back to your accommodation to end your long day.

Third Day in Madrid

For the third day, you can have breakfast at the café of your choice and start your day after breakfast.

This day will be about exploring the streets of Madrid’s different neighborhoods. Begin your journey in the Chueca neighborhood. Known for its history and art, you’ll find various museums here, such as the History Museum and the Romanticism Museum, along with a cultural emblem, the Casa de las Siete Chimeneas.

Another characteristic of this neighborhood is that, at the beginning of summer, Chueca becomes the center of one of the most anticipated events in the capital, the LGTBI Pride Festival, hosting numerous activities.

Afterward, around lunchtime, head to La Latina neighborhood. In this case, this neighborhood is known for its many bars and “tapeo” areas. So, it’s a perfect place to hop from bar to bar, eat, and enjoy its magnificent streets.

To end the day, take a stroll to the Toledo Bridge. From there, you can descend to Madrid Río Park.

To end the day, you can take a stroll to the Toledo Bridge, where you’ll descend to Madrid Río Park. Here, you can watch the sunset by the river. What better way to bid farewell to Madrid than by enjoying a beautiful sunset?

Madrid is ours, and we are the perfect travel companion for your next visit to Madrid. Experience the Woohoo experience!