Madrid In 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary To Make Sure You Don’T Miss A Thing of Hotel Cortezo in Madrid. Official Website.
Madrid in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary to Make Sure You Don’t Miss a Thing
Three days in Madrid? That’s enough time to fall in love with the city
Madrid is a city that gives you everything without asking for anything in return. In three days, you can visit its most iconic museums, lose yourself in its traditional taverns, discover markets bursting with flavour and end the day bathed in that golden light that turns any terrace into the best plan in the world. But to make sure nothing is left to chance, here’s the perfect itinerary to make the most of every hour.
Day 1: Habsburg Madrid and the Rastro
Start your first day with a breakfast of hot chocolate and churros at Chocolatería San Ginés, just a stone’s throw from Puerta del Sol. Afterwards, delve into Habsburg Madrid: the Plaza Mayor, Cava Baja and the San Miguel Market are must-see stops. In the afternoon, head up to the Royal Palace and the Sabatini Gardens to enjoy the best views of the Sierra de Guadarrama at sunset. If it’s a Sunday, the Rastro de Cascorro awaits you from first thing in the morning: Spain’s most famous flea market, where you’ll find antiques, vintage clothes and the capital’s most authentic atmosphere.
Day 2: The Art Triangle and Retiro Park
The second day is set aside for culture. The Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza form the so-called ‘Art Triangle’, one of the world’s most important museum complexes. Spend the morning at the Prado — featuring Velázquez’s *Las Meninas* and Bosch’s *The Garden of Earthly Delights* — and the afternoon at the Reina Sofía, where Picasso’s *Guernica* will leave you speechless. Between museum visits, the Retiro Park offers the perfect breather: a boat ride on the lake, book stalls and locals enjoying their favourite park.
Day 3: Malasaña, Chueca and the trendiest parts of Madrid
The third day is for exploring the neighbourhoods that have made Madrid one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Malasaña, with its bohemian atmosphere and speciality coffee shops, and Chueca, lively and full of designer boutiques, are the perfect settings for a final day of shopping, tapas and discovery. Don’t leave without trying the patatas bravas on a sunny terrace or heading up to the Círculo de Bellas Artes to bid farewell to Madrid from above.
Why Hotel Cortezo is your best base
To follow this itinerary without wasting a single minute, location is everything. Hotel Cortezo, situated right in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras, puts you just a stone’s throw from the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the historic centre. Stepping out of the hotel and finding yourself in the heart of Madrid in a matter of minutes is priceless.
Ready to experience Madrid from the centre? Book now at Hotel Cortezo★★★ and enjoy a prime location in the Barrio de las Letras, just a stone’s throw from the Prado, the Retiro and the most authentic side of Madrid.