Breakfast8:00 AM
Chocolatería San Ginés · Centro
Effectively always open, including through the night
€4–7
Plan your trip · Madrid
3 perfect days in Madrid
Nearby sights each day, timed and walkable — with what to wear for the photos and where to eat every signature dish. Tap any stop for angles, hours & tips.
SeasonBest time to visit →
Day 1
Gran Vía & Plaza Mayor
6 stops8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Morning9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Best light: Just after sunrise, when the square is empty and the frescoed north façade catches first light
Lunch12:30 PM
Lunch and dinner daily, in the Spanish sittings
€10–18
- 3:00 – 4:30 PMExplore Gran Vía's own flagship stores
~3 min
Evening8:30 PM · after dark
Best light: Dusk into the blue hour, when the Schweppes sign and the cinema marquees light up while the sky is still blue rather than black
What to wear
Day 2
Mercado de San Miguel & Palacio Real
6 stops8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Morning9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Best light: Late afternoon from the Plaza de Oriente, with the west light full on the façade
Typically 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM, shorter in winter; closes for state events at short notice
Lunch12:30 PM
Lunch and dinner daily, in the Spanish sittings
€10–18
- 3:00 – 4:30 PMExplore Plaza Mayor
~3 min
Evening8:30 PM · after dark
Best light: Late morning, soon after it opens, before the evening crush fills the hall and the ironwork disappears behind the crowd
Typically late morning until past midnight, later at weekends
What to wear
Day 3
Templo de Debod & Azotea del Círculo de Bellas Artes
4 stops8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Breakfast8:00 AM
Chocolatería San Ginés · Centro
Effectively always open, including through the night
€4–7
Lunch12:30 PM
Lunch and dinner daily, in the Spanish sittings
€10–18
Afternoon2:00 – 4:30 PM
Best light: The hour before sunset, when the light turns gold on the Metrópolis dome and runs the length of Gran Vía below
The rooftop keeps daily terrace hours into the evening, later on summer nights; the café and galleries below keep their own hours
~6 min
Evening8:30 PM · after dark
Best light: Sunset — this is the city's sunset spot, with the temple and its reflecting pool against the sky over the Casa de Campo
The grounds are open daily; the interior keeps shorter museum hours and closes Mondays
What to wear
3-days trip · €49 – €88