Madrid in 3 days

Trip at a glance

Your first day

Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.

Day 1: The Prado, the Retiro and the Reina Sofía

Masterpieces at the Prado, lunch in the Barrio de las Letras, the Retiro and the botanical garden, Guernica, then dinner in Lavapiés.

Check the weekday. Reina Sofía Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

1
10:00 AMPrado MuseumFocus on Velázquez and Goya, and allow about 3 hours. Entry is free in the last two hours of the day.About 2 hours 45 min here
Entry: €15 (about $17) · Free in the last two hours
Official fees: Museo Nacional del PradoLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 15 min
2
1:00 PMBarrio de las LetrasLunch in the tapas bars on Calle de las Huertas or around Plaza de Santa Ana.About 1 hour 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 20 min
3
2:45 PMRetiro ParkRow a boat on the lake, then see the Crystal Palace.About 1 hour 30 min here
Free to visit
Walk about 15 min
4
4:30 PMOptionalRoyal Botanical GardenWander the terraces and the glasshouses, a quiet break between the two museums.About 1 hour 15 min here
Entry: €4 (about $4)
Official fees: Real Jardín Botánico (CSIC)Last verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 10 min
5
6:00 PMReina Sofía MuseumSee Guernica. Closed on Tuesdays; free entry on some evenings.About 2 hours 15 min here
Entry: €12 (about $13) · Free entry in the last hours of the day
Official fees: Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina SofíaLast verified Nov 3, 2026
Walk about 10 min
6
8:30 PMLavapiésDinner on the terraces of Calle Argumosa, or at the Indian and African restaurants nearby.
Free to visit

Before you go

Get a Multi cardBuy a reusable Multi card at a metro machine and load it with a ten-trip ticket for the metro and buses.
Eat on local timeLunch is usually around 2 PM and dinner from 9 PM, and many kitchens close between the two.
Use the free museum hoursThe Prado and the Reina Sofía are free in their last hours on most days; the lines are long, so pay for a morning visit if you can.
Mind the closing daysThe Reina Sofía closes on Tuesdays and the Sephardic Museum in Toledo on Mondays; on Sundays, Toledo Cathedral opens only in the afternoon.
Book the Toledo trainBuy return tickets to Toledo ahead on the Renfe site or app, since the fast trains can sell out.

Where to stay for this plan

Stay near Sol or in the Barrio de las Letras: days 1 and 2 are on foot, and Atocha station for Toledo is close.

Hotels in Madrid

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