I really made three journeys to Spain earlier than ever visiting the capital metropolis of Madrid. For no matter purpose, different elements of Spain (like Barcelona and Seville and the Pyrenees) referred to as to me extra.
But after I lastly did make it to Madrid? I positively regretted not visiting sooner!
Madrid is a superb European capital metropolis. It’s crammed with good meals, fairly structure, and distinctive tradition, and is extraordinarily straightforward to get round. It’s straightforward to get *to* as properly, and is the right measurement for those who solely have a handful of days to discover.
I spent about 5 days in Madrid wandering via fairly plazas and parks, marveling at artwork in world-class museums, and occurring presumably the very best meals tour I’ve ever taken wherever on the earth.
And now I’m able to share my good Madrid itinerary with you!
When to go to Madrid
The “best” time to go to Madrid goes to be subjective. High season in Madrid is through the summer season months (particularly July and August), when each temperatures and customer numbers soar. However, these are horrible months to go to for those who, for instance, hate the warmth (like me), or wish to watch Real Madrid play, because the European soccer season normally runs from mid-August via May.
The most cost-effective time to go to Madrid is through the winter (November-February), however that is additionally when the climate tends to be chilly and wet.
In my opinion, the very best occasions to go to Madrid are within the shoulder seasons: March-May, and September-October, particularly. During these months, the climate can be gentle (presumably even a bit chilly in March!) however usually sunny.
All the pictures on this put up have been taken on a go to in late February, which was chilly however largely sunny! It was quiet in Madrid throughout this time, which means I had no hassle doing all of the issues I needed to do.
3 days in Madrid itinerary
This itinerary is written primarily based alone private experiences in Madrid. I’ve distilled it down to three days within the metropolis, as I believe 3 days in Madrid is the right size of time for a primary go to!
This 3-day Madrid itinerary goes to incorporate highlights like:
- The BEST Spanish meals tour
- Touring the Royal Palace
- Exploring Madrid’s nice artwork museums
- Going to a flamenco present
- Seeing a Crystal Palace and an Egyptian temple
- And extra!
So let’s go to Madrid!
Day 1: Let’s EAT
Madrid, like many cities in Spain, is a superb metropolis for those who love meals (and, I imply, who does not like meals once they journey?). So in the present day we’ll deal with among the wonderful meals experiences to have right here.
Morning: Food tour
Start your day with an actual spotlight: a Spanish meals tour round Madrid with Devour Tours. This firm by no means goes incorrect with its local-led meals excursions, and this particular one in Madrid is without doubt one of the greatest meals excursions I’ve ever been on!
The “Ultimate Spanish Cuisine Tour” covers a lot meals, historical past, and meals historical past about Madrid in roughly 3.5 hours. You’ll strive churros and chocolate, go to a neighborhood market, eat recent fried calamari sandwiches, and even study vermouth! This tour consists of 15+ completely different tastings at 6+ completely different native spots, and can simply cowl each breakfast and lunch for you.
(I will not give away all the things about this tour, however it’s critically nice. You can e-book it right here, and word that it does are likely to promote out!)
If you do not wish to spend cash on a meals tour, then listed below are some distinctive meals experiences you’ll be able to have by yourself this morning/afternoon which can be thought-about musts in Madrid:
- Get churros with chocolate – The most well-known spot is at Chocolatería San Ginés, which all the time has a line however is properly value it.
- Try vermouth – Vermouth is mostly a pre-lunch aperitif in Madrid, so give it a strive.
- Eat a Bocadillo de Calamares – Fried squid sandwiches are essentially the most well-known sandwiches to come back from Madrid! (I used to be stunned to study this, too.) Try a standard one at La Campana, on a aspect avenue close to Plaza Mayor.
- Try Gambas al Ajillo – Another must-try for seafood lovers is that this garlic shrimp dish. The hottest place to strive it’s at La Casa del Abuelo, which invented it!
Afternoon: Plaza Mayor
After your meals tour, chances are you’ll really feel the urge to stroll off a few of these energy! You’ll go to Plaza Mayor in your meals tour, however you may prefer to return by yourself time to admire the structure, or maybe seize a drink at one of many cafes and do some folks watching (simply make sure to control your personal belongings!).
Optional: Buy nun cookies
A enjoyable additional aspect quest you’ll be able to go on not removed from Plaza Mayor is to purchase some cookies from the cloistered nuns on the Monastery of Corpus Christi las Carboneras. The nuns bake recent conventional cookies right here each week, and you may enter and purchase some from them – if you already know the place to seek out them!
You’ll search for the massive brown doorways on Calle de Puñonrostro, about half a block down from the doorway to the Corpus Christi Church. There’s normally an indication on or close to these doorways today that claims “Venta de Dulces,” together with a the buzzer close to the signal. You’ll ring the highest buzzer button, and the doorways will open.
Once contained in the convent, comply with the arrows and indicators to a tiny, darkish room with a Lazy Susan-style flip desk and a cookie menu taped to the wall. The nuns who stay listed below are cloistered, which means they will not present themselves to strangers. But a nun is behind the flip desk and you may simply order verbally from her (I do not imagine they converse a lot English, however simply say the title of the cookies you need, or have Google Translate assist you!).
This is a cash-only transaction. You’ll put your cash on the flip desk, after which a nun will bag up your cookies first, and offer you any change you are owed second. It’s a enjoyable Madrid expertise!
Evening: Mercado de San Miguel
IF you might be hungry in any respect for dinner (you actually won’t be after all of the meals you’ve got had in the present day), I like to recommend heading over to Mercado de San Miguel. This lined market is crammed with stylish recent meals stands, the place you’ll be able to eat as a lot or as little as you would like.
Day 2: Get historic
Today we’ll deal with among the wealthy and fascinating historical past in and round Madrid, which incorporates visits to palaces, temples, parks, and extra.
Morning: Royal Palace
Start off in the present day with a go to to Madrid’s unbelievable Palacio Real de Madrid (Royal Palace), which is the most important royal palace in Europe! The palace remains to be an official residence of the Spanish royal household, although in the present day it is largely solely used for ceremonial occasions – which means you’ll be able to tour elements of it!
You can go to the Royal Palace by yourself with an audioguide, however I actually do suggest a guided tour right here, as there’s simply a lot to see and study. I booked this tour of the palace, which additionally consists of entry to gardens (and you may improve to additionally embody the Royal Collections if you would like).
A tour of the Royal Palace consists of greater than 1,000 years of historical past, from when the Alcázar of Madrid was constructed right here within the ninth century, to the 1700s when the present palace was constructed, right through to present-day. You’ll study Spanish royalty, and go to the throne room, banquet halls, personal royal residences, and extra. Just a tiny proportion of the 3400+ rooms right here!
Afterwards, you’ll be able to discover the Sabatini Gardens hooked up to the palace, or the 20 acres of the Campo del Moro gardens.
(Book a skip the road ticket right here | Book a guided tour right here)
Late morning: Almudena Cathedral
After your go to to the Royal Palace, cross the Plaza de la Armería to go to the Catedral de Santa María la Real de la Almudena. The Almudena Cathedral took over 100 years to construct (from 1883-1993), and was the primary cathedral exterior of Rome to be consecrated by a pope (Pope John Paul II consecrated this one in 1993).
You can enter the Cathedral totally free, however there’s a small price if you wish to go to the museum and crypts inside.
Before leaving, make sure to additionally cross the road and stroll as much as the Mirador de la Catedral for a wonderful view of the Cathedral from exterior.
Early afternoon: Temple of Debod
After your go to to the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, make your means on foot to Parque de la Montaña, up on a hill overlooking the Royal Palace and far of Madrid. (The stroll takes about quarter-hour with out stops.)
Along the best way, you’ll be able to stroll via Plaza de Oriente to see the Teatro Real opera home, and the gorgeous Plaza de España with its big column and statues.
In Parque de la Montaña, there are a number of viewpoints or miradouros providing up wonderful views of Madrid. But the primary attraction right here is the Temple of Debod, an historic Egyptian temple that was transported to Madrid all the best way from Aswan, Egypt.
The temple itself dates all the best way again to the 2nd century, when it was constructed to the Egyptian god Amun and the goddess Isis. In the Nineteen Sixties, when Egypt was getting ready to construct the High Dam in Aswan, the nation requested for worldwide assist to save lots of a lot of its historic temples just like the grand Abu Simbel. Spain was one among many international locations that supplied financial support.
To thank the nation, Egypt gifted the entire Temple of Debod to town of Madrid.
They dismantled and moved all the Temple of Debod from Egypt to Madrid within the Seventies, and in the present day you’ll be able to go inside it and see the traditional reliefs and different structure. It’s one of many solely still-standing historic Egyptian monuments that may be seen exterior of Egypt, so it is actually distinctive!
Visiting is free, however you may wish to reserve a time to go to on-line upfront so you’ll be able to keep away from lengthy strains.
Late afternoon: Cerralbo Museum or Liria Palace
After visiting a little bit of historic Egypt in Spain, you may wish to go to a historic Spanish constructing subsequent. Not removed from the park that homes the Temple of Debod you could find two wonderful choices:
- Cerralbo Museum – Connected to the Ministry of Culture, the Cerralbo Museum homes the gathering of Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, Marquis of Cerralbo. The assortment is inside a historic mansion which in itself is gorgeous, and consists of 50,000 objects on show, together with work, sculptures, tapestry, furnishings, clocks, armor, and extra.
- Liria Palace – This neoclassical palace is the Madrid residence of the Dukes of Alba, and homes their massive (and invaluable) assortment of artwork and historic objects.
Evening: Explore the Literary Quarter
Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras, or Literary Quarter, is one among my favorites, and is properly value a little bit of exploring in night. This neighborhood was as soon as dwelling to a few of Spain’s best writers like Lope de Vega and Cervantes, and in the present day is understood for its cobbled lanes, cafes, tapas bars, boutiques, and its total vibe.
Stroll down Calle Huertas (a pedestrian-only avenue), order a beer and tapas at Cervecería Alemana (visited by Hemingway), and do some people-watching on Plaza de Santa Ana.
Day 3: Embrace the humanities
You’ve eaten your means round Madrid and gotten a style of its historical past – so in the present day it is time to get extra of a style of this metropolis’s wealthy arts and tradition scene.
Morning: Museo Nacional del Prado
The Museo del Prado is the most important nationwide artwork museum in Spain, being dwelling to tens of hundreds of items of European artwork, together with what’s extensively considered the very best assortment of Spanish artwork on the earth. Here you could find works by the likes of Goya, Velázquez, Bosch, El Greco, Titian, Rubens, and extra.
Famous works you may discover right here embody the Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch, Las meninas by Diego Velázquez, Goya’s Black Paintings (together with Saturn Devouring His Son), and The Cardinal by Raphael.
And whereas this artwork museum is not an awesome measurement, I’d nonetheless suggest reserving a guided tour as a way to get essentially the most out of it. This skip-the-line ticket features a guided tour (go for the small-group choice!), whereas this morning tour will get you into the museum early earlier than it will get crowded.
In Madrid, I really did this tour, which features a guided morning tour of the Prado Museum, adopted by an VIP tour and lunch at Botin, an iconic Madrid restaurant that dates again to 1725!! Botin is known for its roast suckling pig, and was even talked about in a Hemingway novel. I’d extremely suggest it for those who simply wish to do one museum and have an epic, memorable lunch.
Optional late morning: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
If one artwork museum is not sufficient, you would additionally go to the Reina Sofia Museum in the present day, which is near the Prado. While the Prado showcases the works of Spanish and different European masters, the Reina Sofia focuses on extra modern artwork from the twentieth century onwards.
The most well-known work housed within the Reina Sofia is Picasso’s Guernica, alongside different works by Picasso, Dalí, Gris, Miró, and extra. This museum is barely barely smaller than the Prado, so once more you may wish to go for a guided go to right here.
Want to go to each the Prado and Reina Sofia in a single morning? This combo guided tour is superb worth.
Afternoon: Parque de El Retiro
This afternoon, let’s head open air to Madrid’s massive metropolis park, El Retiro. El Retiro Park is a big city park relationship again to the nineteenth century, when it was authentic constructed by the Spanish royal household. It’s now a public park protecting 350 acres, and has options like a boating lake, gardens, sculptures, and the gorgeous Palacio de Cristal, or Crystal Palace.
The Crystal Palace is a part of the Reina Sofía Museum in the present day, and is free to go to. (There’s typically a line to get inside, however it’s value it to attend and see the just about all-glass construction from each inside and outdoors.)
Bonus: You can stroll via the Real Jardín Botánico, a stunning botanical backyard with strolling trails and greater than 5000 forms of stay crops, in your strategy to El Retiro.
Evening: Flamenco present
This night, you’ll be able to expertise the artwork of flamenco music and dancing. Flamenco originated in southern Spain, however for those who’re not heading there on this journey, then Madrid is a superb spot to get a style of this passionate model of music and dance, as there have been flamenco venues working right here for greater than 100 years.
Flamenco options passionate (and typically unhappy) songs accompanied by guitar and a dance model punctuated by stomping, clapping, and whirling skirts. It’s breathtaking to look at!
There are a number of locations to see flamenco in Madrid, with among the greatest being Corral de la Moreria, Tablao las Carboneras, Cardomomo, Teatro Flamenco Madrid, and Tablao Flamenco 1911.
You’ll positively wish to e-book forward for this:
If you’ve extra time…
If you are in Madrid for longer than simply 3 days (or for those who do not like a few of my ideas), listed below are a pair different issues I’d additionally suggest:
- Tapas & Wine Tour – In case one meals tour is not sufficient, you’ll be able to take this night meals tour to get a way of Madrid’s tapas and wine tradition. (This is one other tour by Devour, and you may’t go incorrect with any of their excursions!)
- Real Madrid – If you are a soccer (soccer) fan, then you definitely’ve most likely heard of Spain’s most well-known soccer staff, Real Madrid. They play in La Liga, and play 38 video games (half at dwelling) from August to May. So for those who occur to be visiting throughout a house match, you may wish to get tickets! Otherwise, you may also go to/tour Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (get a ticket right here).
Where to remain in Madrid
Any resorts in central Madrid are a very good choice location-wise. But listed below are my picks:
Gran Hotel Inglés
The Gran Hotel Ingles is situated in Madrid’s stylish and historic Literary Quarter. It’s an opulent boutique resort with lovely rooms and wonderful service. It’s the top-rated resort in Madrid on TripAdvisor, and that is the place I stayed – and I beloved it! I might stroll to in every single place I wanted to get in Madrid, and my room was tremendous comfy.
Other Madrid resorts
If the Gran Hotel Ingles is not fairly best for you, listed below are another Madrid choices I might fortunately keep at:
How to get round in Madrid
Madrid is a really flat and pretty compact metropolis; I bought across the metropolis heart simply on foot, and by no means walked greater than perhaps 20 minutes at a time.
However, there are many different methods to get round, too, together with by utilizing the metro system or rideshare packages like Uber. If you suppose you may use plenty of public transit whereas on the town, you should purchase a vacationer journey cross at any metro machine.
Who’s able to plan a visit to Madrid?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her dwelling base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey via the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions primarily based on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!