Madrid is one of those places you could spend three years in and still not have time to see everything this sophisticated city has to offer. Known around the world for its amazing art galleries, gourmet food markets, beautifully manicured parks, and dramatic landmarks, Madrid boasts plenty to keep you busy, no matter how long your visit.
Summer can be overwhelmingly hot when temperatures often soar up to 90°F. This definitely isn’t comfortable weather for sightseeing, so it’s best to avoid June-September if you plan on exploring.
Spring and fall are much better times to visit. Not only is the temperature much cooler (but not too cool!) at this time of year, but the parks are also filled with delicate blossoms or golden leaves, depending on the season.
Thankfully, because the city is rather compact and has an excellent public transport network, you can pack plenty of activities into just 3 days in Madrid. By grouping popular hotspots together and being smart about where you stop off for drinks and meals, you can make the absolute most of your time and see as much as possible in just a few days.
To help you get the most out of your 3-day trip to Madrid, we’ve put together a weekend itinerary for you. It covers the most efficient ways to get around the city to save you time, plus the must-visit attractions you can’t miss. We’ve also included some of the best places to eat and a handful of extra recommendations for if you’ve got some spare time. Enjoy!
If you’re still deciding where to stay then make sure to check out our article on the best boutique hotels in Madrid!
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How to Spend a Weekend in Madrid, Spain
Getting Around Madrid
Madrid only has one airport – Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. There are four separate terminals at the airport, but there’s a free shuttle bus that connects them all. Whichever terminal you arrive at, you can easily reach your accommodation by train, metro, or bus. If you’ve got a lot of luggage and you don’t want any hassle, you’ll find plenty of taxis outside all the airport terminals.
You don’t need to worry about renting a car for your weekend in Madrid. The best way to get around is to make use of the tram and bus service. You can buy a single travel card that works for the metro, tram, and bus service for a very reasonable price.
Plan your journeys in advance and work out whether you’re best off-loading the card with single journeys or a group of 10 journeys. The card can be used by multiple people, so you don’t need to buy one for each person.
Ridesharing services Uber, Lyft, Ola, and DiDi are available throughout Madrid, and you can even request rides to and from the airport. An electric scooter is a fun, cheap, and eco-friendly way of getting around. There are loads of electric scooter companies throughout the city, including Lime, Voi, Bird, and Movo.
Madrid Weekend Itinerary – Day 1
Matilda
Day 1 of your Madrid itinerary begins with breakfast at Matilda. This rustic, welcoming cafe dishes up all kinds of delicious sweet and savory breakfasts, from warm stuffed croissants and yogurt parfaits to toasts topped with all sorts of yummy things and Spanish omelets.
Here you can choose from a wide variety of diet-specific options, too, such as gluten-free, lactose-free, plant-based, and healthy dishes. There’s also a superb range of Spanish coffees and fresh juices available. Matilda looks more like a living room than a cafe. It’s a great place for you to feel cozy and comfortable in the city before you start exploring.
Museo Nacional del Prado
Next up, it’s one of the most iconic attractions in Madrid – Museo Nacional del Prado. This world-famous art gallery is where you’ll find the amazing creations of the Spanish masters. The most impressive work of art is Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez. It’s thought to be one of the most important pieces in Western art and is fascinating to see in person.
You’re free to wander around the art gallery on your own. But if you want to find out more about the works of art and the geniuses behind them, we suggest signing up for a guided tour.
Parque El Retiro
After a culture-filled morning, it’s time to chill out at Parque El Retiro. This stunning park is free to enjoy and is the perfect place to unwind. Take a walk around, and you’ll find wide-open spaces, lush green lawns, plenty of walking trails, charming gazebos, and eye-catching statues.
One of the most fun things to do here is to rent a little wooden boat and row across the pond. Depending on the time of year you visit, you may find your boat surrounded by friendly ducks and beautiful swans!
Just a short walk away, you’ll find Osadía Azotea Sky Bar. This excellent rooftop bar boasts some amazing views. Peer over the edge, and you’ll be able to spot everywhere you’ve visited so far!
If you’re feeling hungry, there’s a great menu loaded with tapas and salads, as well as a few meat and fish options. Regardless of your hunger levels, you’ve got to try one of the cocktails. There’s only a small selection of the classics, but they’re executed perfectly and taste divine.
Gran Vía
A walk along Gran Vía is next up on your weekend trip to Madrid. This part of the city is always buzzing with a dynamic vibe and has loads going on.
The bustling street stretches on for a mile and is lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants you can pop into if your legs get a little tired. You’ll also spot all kinds of stores, from huge shops run by big-name brands to tiny boutiques where you can find one-of-a-kind goodies.
Take time to appreciate the architecture during your stroll. Most of the shops and restaurants may look pretty modern, but the buildings they’re in are 100+ years old.
End your first day in the best way possible – with a guided food and wine tour in the old part of Madrid. On this exciting evening out, you’ll be accompanied by a local foodie who will take you to the most popular tapas bars in Madrid so you can get a true taste of the city.
You’ll stop by 3-4 tapas bars and go past some of the most important landmarks in the city. You’ll get one drink and a couple of things to eat at each stop. If you upgrade, you’ll also get to savor churros and chocolate.
Madrid Weekend Itinerary – Day 2
Chocolatería San Ginés
Start Day 2 with a visit to one of the most famous foodie spots in Madrid – Chocolatería San Ginés. This spot is so popular that it’s open 24 hours a day, so it doesn’t matter how early or how late you arrive.
It was founded in 1894 and is known for serving the very best churros in not just Madrid but the country. The place looks like nothing more than a tiny cafe on a side street, but when you notice the line to be served is dozens of people long, you’ll know there’s something special about it.
The simple menu features just two things – churros and porras. Porras are slightly larger and airier than churros. Whichever one you choose, they’ll be served with thick, rich melted chocolate for dipping.
Royal Palace of Madrid
Next up on your 3-day Madrid vacation is the Royal Palace of Madrid. While you can hop on the metro to get there, we suggest walking. Without going too far out of your way, you can pass by Plaza Mayor (one of the most important squares in Madrid) and admire the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena from the outside.
Carry on just a little further, and you’ll find yourself outside the magnificent Royal Palace of Madrid. Built in the mid-1700s, this gorgeous structure is the largest royal palace in Western Europe. Step inside, and you’ll discover a phenomenal collection of artwork, as well as spellbinding frescoes, ornate watches, delicate tapestries, sparkling silverware, and hand-decorated porcelain.
Mercado de San Miguel
Even if you’re not feeling that hungry, a trip to Mercado de San Miguel is bound to get your stomach rumbling. This hectic indoor food market is brimming with stalls selling all kinds of food and drinks from around the world.
Take a walk around, and you’ll see Spanish omelet tasting plates, top-notch Iberian ham, and every kind of paella you can imagine as well as innovative tacos, drool-worthy burgers, and artisan ice creams in all sorts of cool shapes. There’s a bar in the center of the market that serves a great selection of beers, wines, and cavas, too.
Telefèrico de Madrid
For a bird’s-eye view of the city, ride the Telefèrico (cable car) from Parque del Oeste to Casa de Campo. While you can walk this route, it’s a pretty strenuous trek, and you don’t get the same views as you do from the cable car.
The journey takes around 11 minutes to travel 1.5 miles and rewards you with spectacular vistas that seem to stretch on forever. You can see the compact city in the distance, but the environment that directly surrounds you is surprisingly green for such a cosmopolitan place.
Templo de Debod
When you exit the cable car, you’re just a short walk away from one of Madrid’s most beautiful and unusual landmarks. Templo de Debod was given as a gift to the city from Egypt as part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia. Because it looks so out of place, it really stands out.
The best time to get here is just before sunset, and the best place to stand is at the end of the temple closest to the city. Turn around so you’re looking through the temple into the far distance, and you won’t believe your eyes.
The golden hues of the setting sun, the magnificent reflections in the water, and the magical atmosphere that fills the place will stay with you forever.
Madrid Weekend Itinerary – Day 3
Ikono
Start the final day of your 3-day Madrid itinerary with a morning at Ikono. This unique gallery invites you to unleash your inner art lover by engaging all your senses. Unlike most art galleries that have very strict rules, Ikono wants you to see, touch, smell, taste, and hear your way around the exhibits!
Ikono is a great place to visit if you’ve always wanted to get into art but have found typical galleries a bit stuffy. You can take all the pictures you like, and there’s also a photographer on-site who will take professional shots of you for free.
Just a few steps away, you’ll find Sukaldea Atotxa. An excellent place for lunch, this casual restaurant dishes up a huge variety of delicious tapas. Browse the menu, and you’ll find loads of classic tapas dishes, such as papas bravas, Spanish omelet, and garlic squid.
If you want to try something new, the menu also features small plates of dishes from around the world. Oxtail gyozas, tempura cod, and candied artichokes are just some of the things that are definitely worth ordering. The prices may seem a bit on the steep side, but they’re worth it for the top quality of the food and the gorgeous presentation.
Real Jardín Botánico
A wonderful place to go when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Real Jardín Botánico is a beautiful park that makes you feel content and relaxed as soon as you step through the entrance.
This public green space was declared an artistic garden in 1942 and is brimming with things to see. There’s a huge herbarium with more than one million herbs, a library home to almost 10,000 drawings, and the main botanical garden, which boasts over 5,000 species of plants.
You’re free to wander around on your own. But if you want to see the parts that most visitors miss out on, sign up for one of the guided tours.
Atocha Station
It sounds a little strange to add a train station to your itinerary, but Atocha station isn’t any old station. The spectacular building dates back to 1892 and is filled with cute cafes, tapas bars, and an indoor tropical garden! It looks more like a shopping mall or fancy hotel reception than a train station.
Exit the train station and pop into the nearby metro station to get to your next destination.
End your speedy Madrid visit with an authentic flamenco show. Cardamomo Tablao Flamenco is a cozy, intimate flamenco bar with great drinks, excellent food, and even better flamenco performances. It’s the oldest flamenco bar in the world, so you just know expectations are going to be exceedingly high.
This place is full almost every evening, so make sure you buy your ticket well in advance. You can make a reservation for just the show. But we recommend you make a whole night of it and reserve either an a la carte dinner or a tapas dinner, too.
More Places to Eat & Drink in Madrid
For the ultimate romantic evening, make a reservation at Bodega de los Secretos:
This gorgeous restaurant is set inside original stone alcoves which date back to the 17th century. There are small tables and booths tucked into individual alcoves for complete privacy. Take a look at the menu, and you’ll find classic Spanish cuisine made from the best possible ingredients. The wine menu is also superb and features excellent bottles from all over the country.
Whatever you’re in the mood for, the best place for a lazy brunch is EatMyTrip:
This hugely popular restaurant has locations all over Spain, including two in Madrid. Both venues are really small, making reservations an absolute must. The menu is filled with classic brunch dishes (such as eggs benedict) livened up with delicious ingredients and intriguing cooking techniques from all around the world. There’s also a top selection of coffees, smoothies, and juices to complete your meal.
You’ll find the most spectacular views in Madrid from the Rooftop Bar Riu Plaza España:
This incredible bar has a clear glass panel that juts out into the air, so you can stand on it and feel like you’re floating above the city! There’s a tempting selection of bar-style eats (think pizzas and tapas) to choose from, as well as gorgeous cocktails you won’t be able to say no to. It can get really busy up here, so consider making a reservation to guarantee your space.
What to do if you have more than 3 days in Madrid
Parque Warner
If you’ve got one or two days spare in Madrid, buy a ticket for Parque Warner. Easily one of the best theme parks in Spain, this popular attraction is bursting with exhilarating rides that guarantee high-speed thrills. There are more chilled-out family-friendly rides and special zones for the little ones, as well as loads of great shows.
For a unique experience, buy one of the night tickets. If you’ve got the patience to wait in line for the front seats of rollercoasters, you can go hurtling into the darkness at incredible speeds with absolutely nothing in front of you!
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Museo National del Prado is widely regarded as being the best art gallery in Madrid. But if you’ve got some extra time, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is also worthy of a visit. This beautiful building boasts a considerable collection of 775 paintings.
Here you’ll find works of art from some of the best 20th-century American artists and European painters. Take a look around, and you’ll spot pieces by Hopper, Caravaggio, Van Gogh, and more.
Museum of Illusions
For some cool selfies to upload to your Instagram account, spend some time at the Museum of Illusions. This unusual attraction is filled with quirky backdrops, mind-bending props, and weird setups that play with your mind.
After you’ve snapped all your pictures, move on to the playroom. Designed for both adults and children, the playroom invites you to unleash your inner Einstein through all kinds of toys and puzzles.
CaixaForum
CaixaForum is one of the most fascinating places to visit in the city. Once a power plant, today, this cultural center is bursting with exhibitions and workshops designed to teach you all sorts of things. Even if you haven’t got time to go inside, it’s still worth a visit. Outside the building, you can see a 78-foot-high vertical garden made up of more than 15,000 plants.
Cerro del Tío Pío
Cerro del Tío Pío is one of the best places in Madrid to watch the sunset. This park is hidden away on the outskirts of the city in Puente de Vallecas and has loads of grassy, undulating hills. Pack yourself a picnic, grab a blanket, and get cozy on top of one of the mounds and watch as the sun dips behind the hectic skyline in front of you.
We hope you enjoy your weekend trip to Madrid! Should we add something else to our 3-day Madrid itinerary? Let us know in the comments.
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