Looking to visit Madrid for a few days? Even though Barcelona gets a lot of attention, I have to say I enjoyed Madrid far more. I spent some time in Madrid, Barcelona, and Ibiza a few Septembers ago and it was the perfect time to visit. Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and Retiro Park are magical. You can also take a day trip to the incredible town of Toledo, and I highly recommend you do! Keep reading for your perfect 3 day Madrid itinerary, especially if it’s your first visit!

3 Day Madrid Itinerary

Day 1: Explore the Centro District of Madrid and the Royal Palace

What to see in the Centro District

If you’re looking for what to see in the Centro District, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor were some of my favorite places we visited in Madrid. When planning your 3 day Madrid itinerary, make sure to spend an entire day in this area.

Stroll La Gran Via

La Gran Via is Madrid’s famous street that hosts the Spanish Broadway and lots of shops and restaurants. It reminded me of the theater district in New York City.

Where to Eat in the Centro District

Over a hundred years old, Mercado de San Miguel is one of the most beautiful food markets with its 20th-century glass windows and ornate architecture. It also offers the most delicious options breakfast, lunch, or dinner. My favorite was the el panet from Rocambolesc, a spin on an ice cream sandwich.

Insider tip: Some of my favorite restaurants in Madrid were located in the Centro district. Here are a few of the best restaurants in Madrid.

3 Day Madrid Itinerary

Visit the Spanish Royal Palace and more

Visit Palacio Real

Day 2 will be spent visiting the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and the nearby Almudena Cathedral. The Royal Palace is a historic gem, operated by the Spanish royal family and the largest functioning palace in all of Europe. It is only used for matters of state as the royal family technically resides elsewhere. You can take an official tour inside the building, but make sure to book a tour in advance.

As equally as beautiful is Almudena Cathedral located directly across from the palace. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdioceses in Madrid. Take a stroll around this area at dusk, the view with the sun setting on the horizon is stunning.

Wander through Plaza de Espana

At some point during your day, make sure to walk through Plaza de Espana and the Egyptian Temple of Debod. This temple was built in Egypt around the 2nd century BC and was given to Spain as a gift. This temple is located in the famous Parque del Oeste. Admission to the temple is free, but you may need to queue to enter. Keep in mind you may want to visit earlier in the day to catch a glimpse of the sun setting from the park, with the views of the Royal Palace in the distance.

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Best Places to Stay in Madrid

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay during your Madrid itinerary, here are a few ideas to get you started. I would highly recommend staying in the El Centro district of Madrid, it is an easy walk or metro ride to any of the best locations during your 3 day Madrid itinerary.

A Rooftop Pool in incredible City Views

This hotel is located in the El Centro district which is one of the best areas to stay in Madrid. This hotel would be perfect for your 3-day Madrid itinerary and features a rooftop pool with incredible city views.

A charming Historic Hotel in Alonso Martinez Square

Located a bit out of the El Centro district, this historic and charming hotel is in the heart of Alonso Martinez Square.

Madrid’s most Luxurious Hotel

This luxurious hotel is one of the best places to stay in Madrid as it’s located in a former palace. This hotel is considered one of the small luxury hotels in the world and will not disappoint!

Day 2: Day Trip to Toledo from Madrid

Toledo is the perfect destination if you’re looking for ideas for Madrid day trips. We planned a day trip to Toledo from Madrid a day or two before we ended up visiting, so it didn’t require much planning. Toledo is considered a UNESCO world heritage site, and it’s easy to see why. Here’s all the information you need to include this day trip in your 3-day Madrid itinerary.

Day 3: Spend the day in Madrid’s Retiro Park

Even though you can rearrange any of these days for your 3-day Madrid itinerary, on your ‘must do’ list should be a visit to Retiro Park. This was one of my favorite places we visited in Madrid. One of the largest parks in the city and a third of the size of Central Park in NYC, Palacio Cristal and La Rosaleda are stunning. The best time to visit the park to see the flowers in full bloom is May or June. You could honestly spend the entire day in this park, or at least a few hours.

Find the instagrammable Caixa Forum

Another popular, Instagram-able spot nearby is the Caixa Forum. My husband enjoyed the architecture while I enjoyed the vertical garden. The surrounding neighborhood is also quite picturesque, we enjoyed taking a romantic walk through the narrow, picturesque streets.