The perfect 3 days In Madrid (without the burnout)
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I didn’t know much about Madrid when I found out I’d be traveling there in May for business. Yes, I had spent three days in Barcelona last year, but that was the entire sum of my Spanish experience so far.
In planning my trip, I quickly discovered that Madrid has been the capital city of Spain since 1561 and, as a result, has a lot of history to share. The architecture is something to behold and the city layout and old buildings reveals a lot about its past. There’s a new story around almost every corner but with only three days to explore, I’d have to choose selectively from those stories.
So what did I choose to see during my 3 days in Madrid?
Here are the tours and stops I chose. I’ve laid out the details of my experience, the ratings, and practical tips so you can decide if they’re right for you. I’ve also included a few alternative suggestions in case you want to plan your own spin on my itinerary.
Day 1: Getting oriented with the city
Arriving and getting around for 3 days in Madrid
As is normal for transatlantic flight, my plane arrived in the morning after an overnight flight. We touched down just before 5 am at Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, (often referred to as Barajas).
It’s a beautiful airport, but if you’re planning anything for your arrival day, give yourself some breathing room. Depending on your arrival time, the customs line can be very long.
Between customs, baggage, and navigating the metro, it took three hours from landing to get to my hotel. It may go faster than that for you, but just be sure that you’re not dependent on getting out of the airport quickly.
From the airport, you can take a rental car, Uber or taxi (economical in Madrid), bus or Metro (AKA the subway), or private luxury transportation to your accommodations.
I chose the Metro and bought a multi-journey ticket that gives you 10 journeys for just €6.10 (US$6.85). A single journey gives you access to a Metro station and includes any metro connections you need to get to your destination. It’s a great deal and you get this great little plastic access card that you can recharge when you’ve used up your 10 trips!
Just like in Barcelona, Madrid has a €3.00 (US$3.37) charge to get in and out of the airport. If you’re taking the Metro, just use the ticket machines to pay the fee. Just make sure to tell the machine your favorite language and it’ll guide you through the process pretty well.
The Madrid metro, by the way, is pretty solid. Although it doesn’t appear as new as the Barcelona subway, it’s clean and well signposted. If you’re using Apple Maps or Google Maps, it’s easy enough to figure out where to go. I took a couple wrong turns in the stations, but I could easily backtrack and figure it out — and the trains run every few minutes, so no big deal.
Pro tip: buy the 10-journey ticket for €6.10—it’s economical for the number of trips you get and it saves time and money buying new tickets each time.
See the city on an open-top bus!
Those of you who follow my travels know that I like these bus tours when I first arrive. They give me a quick overview of what’s in the city, which allows me to choose where I want to spend the rest of my vacation time.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2 stars – 10,500+ reviews)
Duration: 80-90 minutes
Start/End Point: Calie de Felipe IV (near the Neptune Fountain traffic circle and the Museo Nacional del Prado)
Language: English and Spanish
I paid: US$28.12
Pro tip: keep your arms in the bus and keep your eyes out for foliage that grows close to the route in spots—we even had to duck to avoid a few branches brushing over the bus roof.
After a quick buffet breakfast and zero sleep on the plane, I rested for an hour and then headed out for the hop-on, hop-off bus tour. In Madrid, there are two open-top bus tour routes: one covers modern Madrid, the other historic.
I chose Route 1, the historic tour.
The company running the tour was Madrid City Tour—different from the one I’ve used previously. Once aboard, I scored a good top-side seat next to the railing—perfect for photos.
The tour itself focused mostly on architecture and city landmarks. Madrid’s buildings are a blend of everything from 18th-century to early 20th-century, with plenty of American-influenced facades in the historic core. If you’re an architecture buff, it’s a feast.
Like most open-top bus tours, you get ear buds to hear the recorded commentary about the museums, theaters, and historic buildings you’re seeing. But the tour doesn’t recommend experiences or places to get off and explore — you have to determine that based on what you hear. It’s more of an orientation loop than an activity planner.
Still, it did the job. I ended up riding the full route twice—once on the right side, once on the left—just to make sure I got the photos I wanted.
Afterward, I metro’d back to the hotel, grabbed dinner, and collapsed. I’d been up for over 33 hours at that point, so sleep came easy.
Atlantic Destinations verdict:
I wanted a low-effort way to get a feel for Madrid’s layout and energy on my first afternoon in the city. This open-top bus tour drove past major making it a great way to get started. It gives you a mental map of the city, hits all the visual highlights, and lets you relax while the city rolls by.
What I liked about this tour
- Covered the main attractions in the city.
- I could just sit and listen; no effort to see the city.
- The tour recording is available in many languages including English.
- Buses every 15 minutes. Last bus at 8pm
- Take the tours as many times as you want in 24 hours.
What I didn’t like about this tour
- Many of the sites whiz by making photos difficult.
- Watch out for low-hanging tree branches.
- Not many hop-off hop-off stops.
- Rain will affect the open-top part of the tour.
What other guests have said:
“Would highly recommend. Tour was great value for money and provided a great insight into Madrid and the sights to see.”
— Siobhan (see more reviews)
Day 2: Kings, E-bikes, and ghosts
I packed my first full day of tours while, at the same time, trying to move from the hotel where the business presentations has been held to an AirBnB in a different part of the city. It made the time tight to get from one tour to the next — I think next time I’d book into the AirBnB (or a hotel) the night before to give me the maximum time for enjoyment.
Walk in royal footsteps!
As the capital city for several centuries, Madrid has had its share of royal excesses. Take a tour through the Royal Palace and you’ll know what I mean!
You can also visit the Almudena Cathedral, which is right next door to the palace. Allocate an additional hour and the additional entrance fee (about €7.00) to see the cathedral as well (pictured in the main photograph above).
Rating: ★★★★★ (4.9 stars based on 1690+ reviews)
Duration: 2 hours
Start Point: At the souvenir shop at the corner of Calie de la Union & Calie de Carlos III
I paid: US$39.00
Pro tip: One note: although Almudena Cathedral is right next door, it’s a separate attraction with its own admission. I had planned to visit it after the palace, but time got tight. If you’re planning both, make sure you budget the extra hour or so.
Getting to the Royal Palace was easy. I hopped off the Metro at Opera Station and followed the GetYourGuide instructions to rendezvous with the tour guide inside a nearby souvenir shop at the appointed time — 15 minutes prior to the tour.
But when I got there, the shop was closed and there was no tour guide in sight. I had to wonder if I was in the right place! But I was soon confident when other guests started to arrive too. The guide arrived eventually, handed out wireless earpieces, and got us sorted.
The tour says “skip-the-line” in the title; that means you and your fellow guests enter through the group queue instead of the regular queue for individuals. The group line WAS faster than the crowded regular line—we waited maybe ten minutes max to get in. Security was smooth, and soon we were walking into a massive stone courtyard between the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral and the guide took us directly into the palace.
From there, we climbed the grand staircase and started touring the palace rooms.
And I do mean rooms—dozens of them. The king had a room for dressing, a room for breakfast, a room for conversations, a room for sleeping, a room for praying, and on it went. The high ceilings were covered in detailed frescoes, and at least one room even had wallpaper made of silk. If you like ornate interiors and royal extravagance, this would bowl you over!
The guide was full of information and stories about the history of the royal families and the palace. She didn’t shy away from the heavier stuff and gave a frank account of Spain’s 20th-century dictatorship and the royal family’s role during that time. It added depth to what could have been just a parade of chandeliers and gold leaf.
The wireless earpieces connecting us to the guide were a lifesaver—I could still hear her above the noise around me and even if I fell behind.
Sometimes I’d wander too far from the guide (to take pictures) and lost the signal through the thick stone walls. But it was easy to catch up to her because the increasing strength of the headset signal told me when I was getting closer.
That said, it was crowded. Even at 10 a.m., we were shoulder-to-shoulder in some sections.
Atlantic Destinations verdict:
A must-see in Madrid, and I wasn’t willing to wait in line. This tour gave me fast-track access and a guide to give real context.
What I liked about this tour
- A knowledgeable, entertaining, and informative guide.
- Wireless earpieces that made sure I could hear the commentary in a crowded tour space.
- Direct entry into the palace at the appointed time – no long waits.
- The palace itself – amazing and eye-popping opulence.
What I didn’t like about this tour
- Even at 10 am on a Friday the crowds in the palace rooms were almost suffocating and continual movement was necessary.
- Meeting instructions were confusing – the shop at the meeting point was not open and the guide was not there. (I could have slept for 15 minutes more!)
What other guests have said:
“Loved the tour of the Beautiful Royal Palace. Lei was so nice and a great sense of humor. She was very knowledgeable, we learned a lot about the history of the palace and the royal family. The best part was how she talked about the “Frog King”. She was informative and very humorous.”
— Christina (see more reviews)
Madrid city tour with little pedaling effort!
As someone who is solidly in the autumn years of life, the notion of pedaling around a major city for three hours is, shall we say, daunting. I’d worry that I wouldn’t be able to keep up or finish the ride.
But when I saw the “E-bike” part of this tour, that opened up new and hopeful possibilities! This, I think I can do!
Rating: ★★★★★ (4.9 stars based on 120+ reviews)
Duration: 2.5–3 hours
I paid: US$48.66
Pro tip: The sun in Madrid is bright enough that I’d recommend sunglasses when you ride. I’d also recommend shorts — I had full-length jeans on and shorts would have been cooler and easier to manage the bike with.
After a quick trip back to my Airbnb to drop off my luggage, I made it just in time for my first-ever e-bike tour. Our guide, Rémy (he joked, “Just think of Rémy Martin cognac”), took me and a friendly couple from Australia on a (very) small-group ride through central Madrid.
I haven’t been on a bike in a long time, and never on an electric one. But after a quick tutorial, I was off and riding. The e-bike made hills a breeze. You can adjust how much motor assist you get—so when my knee started complaining halfway through, I bumped the assist up a notch and kept going with no issue.
Remy took us all over—squares, landmarks, narrow alleys, and even past Mercado de San Miguel, a beautiful old market now filled with gourmet food stalls. Madrid has a lot of pedestrian traffic, so we had to weave carefully around people, pets, and the occasional toddler. One narrow street was so tight—wedged between bollards and parked cars—I eventually dismounted and walked the bike. The group kindly waited and then we rolled on together.
Highlights included a stop in the botanical gardens (a riot of colour), and a quirky local tradition: rubbing the back leg of the bear statue in Puerta del Sol for good luck. Naturally, I gave it a go.
If you’ve got some balance and don’t mind city traffic, the e-bike tour is a great way to see more of Madrid than you’d manage on foot.
Atlantic Destinations verdict:
I wanted to see more of the city without the physical stress. E-bikes definitely made that possible.
What I liked about this tour
- Pedaling with little or no effort!
- Biking means you can get to those interesting parts of the city that tour buses can’t get to.
- The tour actually stops at key places along the route to allow you time to rest, take pictures, ask questions, etc.
- An excellent guide able to answer many off-the-cuff questions.
- A real sense of personal accomplishment when I finished the ride.
What I didn’t like about this tour
- Some tight street situations where there was only a bike width between pedestrian bollards and slow moving cars. I hadn’t ridden in a while and my balance wasn’t up to that. I got off and walked the bike – the group was great and waited for me.
What other guests have said:
“This was our first time booking an electric bike tour and usually take a hop on/ hop off bus. We enjoyed the E-bike tour at the street level and the tour guide giving us so much tour history information with only two other people on the tour.”
— Steven_S (see more reviews)
What’s Madrid REALLY like?
As I said at the outset, Madrid is an old city with centuries of history — and not all of it civilized. This tour took us through some of the seedier side of Madrid’s past.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 stars-1080+ reviews)
Duration: 2.5 hours
I paid: US$3.43
(but expect to tip the guide at the end of the tour)
Pro tip: I almost missed this tour. I thought the tour started at 7:30, but it had already begun at 7:00. (I’d been looking at the wrong tour ticket on my phone!) I managed to track down the guide through WhatsApp and joined about 40 minutes after the start. (Tip: double-check your booking times.)
I have two other ghost tours to compare this one to: Edinburgh and New Bern. In Madrid, our guide, Rambo (yes, really) was energetic and welcoming.
He was quite theatrical in how he presented the stories and came armed with photos of people and details. The tour was in English; Rambo’s English was good even if some of the phrasing was tricky to follow at times.
There’s much fodder for this tour in Madrid: medieval executions, the Spanish inquisition, Franco’s dictatorship and all that went with that, and more. The stories were dark and dramatic: public executions, political assassinations, torture devices.
In one plaza, we stood where prisoners were once executed by a screw driven into the back of their neck—not always successfully. Haunting stuff, literally.
Overall, it was entertaining and a good nighttime walk through the city with some eerie local lore to spice it up.
Atlantic Destinations verdict:
Something different for the evening. Storytelling, atmosphere, and a little chill without the gore.
What I liked about this tour
- A good introduction to the less-talked about side of the city and Madrid society.
- A good variety of stories between political and religious torture, social crimes, and just unexplainable events.
- Good preparation by our guide and supporting materials to help illustrate the stories.
What I didn’t like about this tour
- I arrived late (but that’s on me).
- Some difficulty with language.
- I’d forgotten there’d be a tip needed at the end of the tour, but then the tour fee itself was so cheap that I should have known…
What other guests have said:
“Very cool tour with our guide Adria. Its a combination of history and spooky stories about inquisition and ghosts”
— Aleksandr_R (see more reviews)
Day 3: relaxing exploration of the countryside around Madrid
After several days in the hustle and bustle of the city, it was helpful to explore the countryside around the city to get a better understanding of rural Spain.
Relax, taste a little wine, let someone else do the hard work…
I saved the most relaxing day for last—a guided wine tour through the Madrid countryside. The tour promised three wineries and plenty of tastings. It delivered.
Rating: ★★★★★ (4.9 stars based on 600+ reviews)
Duration: 6 hours
I paid: US$167.99
Pro tip: the tour recommends having a good breakfast before you go, and they’re not kidding. You’ll be tasting wine before noon, so having something solid in your stomach is smart. I found a hotel buffet near the pickup point—not cheap, but convenient.
The group was small (maybe 20 of us), and our driver, Marco, kept things rolling. First stop was a small, family-run winery in the countryside. They showed us around, explained their process, and poured three reds for us to sample—one straight from the barrel. The snacks were humble but tasty: chips and a surprisingly good hummus.
The second stop took us to a more traditional winery in Chinchón, a charming old town known for preserving historic winemaking methods. The highlight here was the underground caves, where massive clay fermentation pots kept things cool. These pots are no joke—so important that you can’t sell them individually. If you want one, you have to buy the whole winery. That’s Spanish heritage for you.
The third winery was a short walk away and even older—five generations and counting. Their original clay pots had been damaged in a storm years ago, so part of their operation now uses concrete tanks (and in newer setups, they’d use stainless steel). But they still produce and store wines the old way in the surviving clay vessels.
Here’s the fun part: they had a stash of forgotten wines, dating back to the late 1970s, stored in a back room. We chipped in to open four dusty bottles and taste them—one of them fizzed impressively when uncorked, like it had been waiting for this moment. They poured in order from lightest to sweetest, and though not all were to my taste, it was a fascinating experience.
By late afternoon, we were back in the city with a pleasant buzz, a few stories, and maybe a little regret that I couldn’t carry a clay pot home in my luggage.
Atlantic Destinations verdict:
A nice relaxing all-day tour during which you’re driven around the countryside, educated, wined, dined, and you get to meet lovely people from all over — and no metro transfers!
What I liked about this tour
- Both modern and traditional wineries and processes.
- Meeting other fun people on the bus.
- A guide with in-depth knowledge of what we were seeing and tasting.
- Lots of great tapas/food to keep us going.
What I didn’t like about this tour
- Found I couldn’t drink like I used to!
What other guests have said:
“A must when visiting Madrid! My favorite wine tasting I have ever done! I went solo and by the end of it I made three new friends. I didn’t know the deep history Madrid had with wine. Tapas were great all the wine was great, they didn’t skimp out on the wine you definitely get your moneys worth. The wines are so reasonably priced I had some shipped back home.”
— Jessica (see more reviews)
Other top-rated things to do in Madrid
Madrid is full of top-rated activities and if you wanted to add or substitute other things into your 3 days in Madrid itinerary, there are literally hundreds of choices. It can be bewildering, but we’ve done some homework for you to help.
How we scored for this list: All activities on the list are rated at 5.0 stars out of 5 on the customer satisfaction scale — ratings supplied by people who have taken these tours. Those that made the list either had the most reviews or offered something unique compared to similar tours. So no matter which event you choose you can’t go wrong!
(All ratings are accurate at the time of writing. Click any of these links to check prices and availability):
🏛️ Cultural & Historical Tours
- Prado Museum Masterpieces Tour with Entry Ticket
Delve into masterpieces by Goya, Velázquez, and more in Spain’s premier art museum. - Madrid Old City Small Group Tour
Stroll through historic neighborhoods and gain insights into Madrid’s rich past.
🚗 Unique City Tours
- Tuk Tuk Private Guided Tour of Madrid from the Centre
Experience Madrid’s highlights in an eco-friendly tuk tuk, covering major landmarks comfortably.
🍷 Food & Wine Experiences
- Madrid Old Town Tapas and Wine Small Group Tour
Savor traditional Spanish tapas paired with local wines while exploring vibrant neighborhoods. - Tapas & Paella Cooking Class with Expert Chef
Learn to cook authentic paella and sangria, complemented by delicious tapas.
💃 Entertainment & Shows
- Madrid: Tapas Tour & Authentic Flamenco Experience
Immerse yourself in the passion of flamenco at a live performance, with optional dining.
🚴 Active Exploration
- Madrid Segway Tour. Center and Retiro Park
Glide through the city’s scenic spots on a guided Segway tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 3 days enough to enjoy Madrid?
Madrid is a major cosmopolitan city and there’s enough things to see to keep you busy for a while. But spending 3 days will allow you to experience the city’s main attractions, such as the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, and world-class museums like the Prado.
You can make good use of the time you have by taking guided tours and the open-top buses, as you see sights quickly and get good information about them at the same time.
And with a little planning, you might also be able to enjoy local cuisine and even take a day trip to nearby towns like Toledo or Segovia.
What is the best way to get around Madrid in a short time?
The variety of transport is endless: you can take a rental car, Uber or taxi (economical in Madrid), bus or Metro (AKA the subway), or even private luxury transportation. The Madrid metro is fast, clean, and affordable. For sightseeing, e-bike tours and hop-on hop-off buses are great for covering ground efficiently.
Is Madrid a walkable city for older travelers?
Yes, Madrid’s central areas are walkable, though hilly in parts. Many major sites are located close together and thus easy to walk to. E-bike tours and guided walks offer low-strain options for older visitors. When you’re tired of walking, just hop on the metro — a very efficient mode of Madrid transport.
What’s the best area to stay in Madrid for a short visit?
Stay near the city center—areas like Sol, Opera, or La Latina offer easy access to top sights, restaurants, and public transit.
Are Madrid’s guided tours worth it for a short trip?
Absolutely. Skip-the-line and small-group tours save time and offer valuable context, especially for cultural sites like the Royal Palace.
What should I book ahead for a weekend trip to Madrid?
Book popular guided tours (like the Royal Palace or winery visits), restaurants with views, and transportation if arriving during peak times.
What is the best time of year to visit Madrid?
The ideal times are spring (April to June) and fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and tourist crowds are thinner.
What are some must-try foods in Madrid?
Don’t miss out on local specialties like bocadillo de calamares (fried squid sandwich), churros with chocolate, and tapas dishes such as patatas bravas and tortilla española.
Are there any cultural tips I should be aware of?
In Spain, people typically dine later than in some other countries, taking lunch around 2 PM and dinner after 9 PM. (Some restaurants don’t even open for dinner till 9 PM)
Also, while many locals speak English, learning a few basic Spanish phrases can enhance your experience. I found that, unlike Barcelona, having very little Spanish at your command can be limiting.
Conclusion: If You’re Thinking About Madrid…
If you’ve only got three days to see Madrid, I can say from experience: it’s enough to leave you inspired and full of new stories.
From the grandeur of the Royal Palace to touring on electric bike rides; from 18th-century architecture to 1970s white wine pulled from underground caves—it was a whirlwind in the best sense.
Madrid isn’t a city you can fully “do” in just a few days, but that’s not really the point. The real value of a short stay is what it gives back: a new rhythm, a shift in perspective, a few unexpected moments that stay with you.
So if you’ve got a business trip here, or you’re passing through on your way somewhere else, don’t skip it. Slow down, pick a few good experiences, and let Madrid come to you.
Happy Travels.
Plan your trip with our favorite resources
- #1 online accommodations booking platform. Booking.com
- Global guided tours with reviews: Viator
- Find, compare, and rent cars: DiscoverCars
- Buy travel insurance: SafetyWing
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