3-Day Itinerary for Exploring
Madrid

The Royal Palace is the official residence of the Spanish monarchy and is used for state ceremonies, though the royal family lives at the Zarzuela Palace outside the city.

Don’t miss the Royal Armoury, which reopened in April 2026.

Good to know: open Monday to Saturday 10:00–18:00 from October to March (19:00 from April to September) and Sundays 10:00–16:00, with last entry one hour before closing. A standard adult ticket is €18. The palace can close for official events.

Museo del Jamón is a Madrid ham-bar chain founded in 1978, with several central branches. The Gran Vía 72 branch is about an 11-minute walk from the palace.

Good to know: it is known for simple ham sandwiches and combination plates, and it is a budget stop.

Spend your afternoon at Plaza Mayor, one of Madrid’s most famous squares.

Surrounded by stunning architecture, this vibrant plaza is the perfect place to relax, people-watch, and soak in the atmosphere.

Explore the nearby shops and cafés, or simply enjoy the lively ambiance.

El Tigre is a loud, crowded cider and tapas bar in Chueca, where a drink traditionally comes with a free plate of tapas. Expect to stand at the bar rather than book a table.

The Prado holds one of the world’s great collections of European art, including major works by Velázquez, Goya and Bosch.

Good to know: open Monday to Saturday 10:00–20:00 and Sundays and holidays 10:00–19:00. General admission is €15, and tickets are for a set time slot. Entry is free Monday to Saturday 18:00–20:00 and Sundays 17:00–19:00.

Casa Labra is a historic tavern by Puerta del Sol, dating from 1860 and famous for fried salt-cod slices and cod croquettes. It is about an 18-minute walk from the Prado.

Spend the afternoon at the home of Real Madrid. The stadium is around 5 km from Sol, so take the metro or a taxi rather than walking.

Good to know: the standard Classic ticket is a self-guided visit that includes the museum and costs about €37 online. A separate guided ticket is available. Book a time slot, and check the calendar first, as the stadium closes early on match days.

Taberna Malaspina is a simple tapas taberna near Sol, known in reviews for huevos rotos and tortilla. The average bill is under €20. It is around 5 km from the Bernabéu, so take the metro or a taxi back.

Start your final day in Retiro Park, Madrid’s best-known green space, with gardens, a boating lake and monuments.

Good to know: the park is free and opens at 06:00. Rowing boats cost €6 on weekdays and €8 on weekends and holidays, for up to four people for 45 minutes, and the box office closes as early as 17:15 in late autumn.

La Pizzateca is a pizzeria in Barrio de las Letras with vegan and vegetarian options. Its average bill is around €20–30.

Finish at Casa Mingo, a traditional Asturian cider house near Príncipe Pío, known for roast chicken and house ciders. Expect about €16–30 per person.

These attractions are the ones most worth reserving before you travel. We may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.