Madrid, the capital of Spain and one of the most beautiful cities in Europe is the ideal place for a getaway. Why? Read on and learn what to see in 3 days in Madrid if you have already chosen if that’s how long you plan to spend there.
Madrid is an open, modern, welcoming city, full of magical corners, emblematic buildings, natural parks with amazing sunsets, atmospheric bars, exquisite gastronomy, typical streets, popular neighbourhoods, lots of culture, captivating people… a city that makes you love it, that awakens a thousand emotions and that forces you to immerse yourself in it. Madrid… is Madrid.
In this article, we tell you about some of the things you can do in the Spanish capital in three days, such as strolling through the Retiro, watching the sunset (or sunrise) at the Temple of Debod, visiting the Plaza Mayor, seeing the Puerta del Sol or having a chocolate with churros in the city’s most famous chocolate shop. Keep reading!
Places to see in Madrid in 3 days
Madrid is not the biggest city in Europe, but it is one of the cities with the most places to discover, in fact, not even the locals know all its corners. Madrid has so much…. Even so, we’ll tell you a small but essential part of the things you can do in Madrid in three days.
Puerta del Sol
We begin with the Plaza del Sol, as it is established as Spain’s kilometre zero and marks the point from which the kilometres of Spain’s radial roads begin to be counted. Exactly in front of the Puerta del Sol, this kilometre zero is marked by a tile on the ground. Believe it or not, it is one of the most touristy and most photographed places in the capital.
Puerta del Sol is located at the beginning of Calle Alcalá, the longest street in Madrid and one of the most famous. Puerta del Sol is well known because it is the site of the traditional Campanadas (New Year’s countdown celebration), where thousands and thousands of Spaniards and tourists have gathered to celebrate the New Year since 1892.
Puerta del Sol is also home to some of the most symbolic elements of the city, such as the aforementioned zero kilometre plaque, the Puerta del Sol clock, the statue of El Oso y el Madroño (the Bear and the Strawberry Tree), the Tío Pepe sign and the Mallorquina patisserie, one of the most famous patisseries in the city.
In short, you can’t leave Madrid without visiting this place.
Cibeles Square
If we continue along Calle Alcalá, we come to the Plaza de Cibeles, where we find the famous Fuente de Cibeles, designed in 1782, which represents the goddess Cybele on a chariot pulled by lions. It is one of the most symbolic monuments in the city, as well as being the chosen spot for the football celebrations of the Real Madrid team.
Puerta de Alcalá
The Puerta de Alcalá, located in the middle of the Plaza de la Independencia, is one of the five ancient royal gates that gave access to the city. It is located next to the Retiro Park, another of the most recommended sites on a route through the capital.
Retiro Park
The Retiro Park runs from Puerta de Alcalá to Atocha station. This large urban park of 118 hectares is perfect to spend the morning or afternoon enjoying its landscapes, its monuments, its atmosphere, etc. In it, you will find well-known elements such as the Fountain of the Galapagos, you can see the Music Pavilion or take the famous boat ride on the pond.
Plaza Mayor (Main Square)
From Puerta del Sol, if we continue along Calle Mayor, we will come across the well-known Plaza Mayor, located in the heart of Madrid, the old quarter of the city and one of the most attractive and busiest places in the capital. Under the arcades of this square there are still traditional and centenary shops that maintain their facades as if they were still 19th century establishments.
Almudena Cathedral
The Almudena Cathedral became the cathedral of Madrid during the reign of the Habsburg Dynasty. Its construction began in December 1868, when the Congregation of Slaves of the Virgin of the Almudena requested permission to build another church dedicated to the Virgin of the Almudena. The Congregation visited the Royal Household to ask for help to carry out this construction and the King and Queen gave part of the land in front of the Royal Palace for the creation of this new temple.
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace is the largest in Europe, containing more than 2000 rooms. It is one of the official residences of heads of state and is open to the public.
Sabatini Gardens
The Jardines de Sabatini are located in front of the north façade of the Royal Palace, between Calle Bailén and Cuesta de San Vicente, a famous street in Madrid that runs from Plaza de España to Paseo de la Florida. It is a neoclassical garden in keeping with the Royal Palace.
Plaza de España
It is one of the largest squares in the capital, and it is also home to one of the most touristic and photographed monuments with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza in honour of Miguel de Cervantes.
In the Plaza de España we find mythical buildings such as the Torre de Madrid, the Edificio España or the Casa Gallardo, among others.
Temple of Debod
From the Plaza de España, if we continue along Calle Bailén, we come across the Temple of Debod, the oldest monument in the city, dating back to ancient Egypt, built around 200 BC. There is a viewpoint from where you can enjoy the most beautiful views of the south-east of the capital.
Gran Vía
Madrid’s Gran Vía is one of the capital’s best-known streets. It was created between 1910 and 1931 and marked the beginning of the modernisation of the city with the construction of the first skyscrapers in Spain.
Madrid is a spectacle, wherever you go it surprises you and invites you to continue discovering all its corners, each with its own peculiarity, so visit our Booking Hotels in Madrid page and if you haven’t already done so, start planning your trip.