3 Days in Madrid
🎭 Complete Itinerary & Cost Guide
3 days is the sweet spot for Madrid — enough to see the major sights, eat well, and have one unscheduled day. Here's a realistic day-by-day plan plus what it costs.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
This plan covers the essentials without burnout. Adjust based on opening hours, weather, and your stamina. Most days are 4–6 hours of activity with long meals and downtime built in.
Settle into your hotel, grab a light lunch, then ease into Madrid with Prado Museum (free 6–8pm). Don't overbook day one — jet lag is real.
Retiro Park crystal palace. Pair it with a sit-down lunch nearby and an evening walk through a different neighbourhood.
Hit one final must-see (Retiro Park crystal palace), pick up souvenirs, and leave time for a relaxed lunch before your flight or onward train.
What does 3 days in Madrid cost?
Estimates below are per person, including accommodation, food, local transport, and ~1 paid activity per day. Flights to Madrid are not included — they vary wildly by origin.
Madrid survival tips
Metro is fast and cheap (€1.50 ride, €12.20 for 10 trips). Avoid taxis at rush hour.
Eat dinner after 9pm like locals. Tapas don't come free with drinks here (unlike Granada).
Three-card monte scams near Puerta del Sol. Don't even watch — operators pickpocket onlookers.
When to go
April, May, October, November are the best months for Madrid — the climate is at its best and crowds haven't peaked. Avoid July–August (heatwaves + closures).