What to do in Madrid (Spain) with little time? Let’s say you have one (1), 2 or just 3 days in the Spanish capital. Here are some suggestions that could be useful for the business or leisure traveler who finds himself with a little free time, and doesn’t know where to go, or what to do in Madrid, you can enjoy even with very little free time. From 1 visit Flash or go to some of the must-see cities near Madrid. See.

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One day in Madrid

1. Time: 10:00. The day begins. You can go on your own or in a guided way. Given the short time you have, I recommend Plan A.
   1. Plan A. A walk along the Madrid City Bus is a good alternative. With stops at multiple sites in the city, this tour takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. There are 2 routes: Historic Madrid or Modern Madrid. No waste of time and no getting too tired. Access to the bus varies in price according to the seasons, in winter it is usually cheaper. However, the uphill ticket doesn’t cost much. One option is to purchase the MadridCard which gives you access to the Tourist Bus, the entrance to the main museums of Madrid, the Tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Field), discounts in shops, restaurants, and more things. It’s a quick alternative.
   1. Plan B. Go out on your own. The best option is to purchase a Tourist Transport Pass, sold in the Metro and tourist centers, there are 1-2-3—– days. For example, the 1-day pass costs €5.20. You can access the Metro and Buses without any problem and in an unlimited way during the day.
   1. Plan C. Going out to “kick” Madrid, with no fixed destination. Walk with map in hand through the main streets of Madrid. Getting lost and finding Madrid again, this option, a little more adventurous, will surely have greater anecdotes. Of course, always try to TAKE CARE and LOOK at your belongings well. And be sure to visit the places in Madrid that catch your attention the most.
2. Time: 11:00. Tour buses usually stop at the city’s main attractions. Or on the Metro you can get to them without any problem. Depending on your preferences and the short time, you must decide which attraction you will dedicate more time to, some ideas, based on our Top 10+2 are: The Royal Palace, The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia Museum, The Temple of Debod, The Retiro Park, Walking through the Center of Madrid, etc. Select the most interest and go for it.
3. Time 14:00 – Time to recharge your batteries. Eat something light to continue the task. You can try the Tapas of Madrid, with a Caña (Beer) or a Tinto de Verano (red wine with soda). There are hundreds of them all over the city, depending on where you are, there are sure to be bars nearby for “Tapaar” and a “Caña” (Beer). Favorite places. La Latina (Calle La Cava Baja – Metro Latina), Plaza Mayor and surroundings, Calle Huertas, Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía, among others. The bars in the center are usually very touristy, and therefore more expensive.
4. Time: 16:00 . A walk through the centre of Madrid. Browse, shop, look, and experience Madrid. I recommend the Callao area, Gran Vía, Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Calle Arenal. Be sure to enter the Fnac store (Calle Preciados).
5. Time: 18:00. Snack. Regain your strength with a small snack, 2 options: Churros with Chocolate in San Gines (Calle Arenal) or La Mallorquina in Puerta del Sol. Keep walking and enjoying Madrid.
6. Time: 5:30 p.m. Back to the hotel and take a little break.
7. Time: 19:00. Go out to dinner and enjoy some activity (again tastes prevail). A dinner with a flamenco tablao, a musical in Gran Vía, a quiet dinner, a dinner with a walk, tapas again with a walk, in short, the alternatives can be varied.
8. Time: xx:00. End of the day. Let’s rest.

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2 days in Madrid

With 2 days there is more room to know more things and with more time, always from the perspective that tastes are different. A few ideas.

Day 1

1. Time: 10:00. The day begins. You can go on your own or in a guided way. Given the short time you have, I recommend Plan A.
   1. Plan A. A walk on the “Madrid” Tourist Bus is a good alternative. With stops at multiple sites in the city, this tour takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. There are 2 routes: Historic Madrid and Modern Madrid. No waste of time and no getting too tired. Access to the bus varies in price according to the seasons, in winter it is usually cheaper. However, the uphill ticket doesn’t cost much. One option is to purchase the MadridCard which gives you access to the Tourist Bus, the entrance to the main museums of Madrid, the Tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Field), discounts in shops, restaurants, and more things. It’s a quick alternative.
   1. Plan B. Go out on your own. The best option is to purchase a Tourist Transport Pass, sold in the Metro and tourist centers, there are 1-2-3—– days. For example, the 1-day pass costs €5.20. You can access the Metro and Buses without any problem and in an unlimited way during the day.
   1. Plan C. Going out to “kick” Madrid, with no fixed destination. Walk with map in hand through the main streets of Madrid. Getting lost and finding Madrid again, this option, a little more adventurous, will surely have more anecdotes. Of course, always try to TAKE CARE and LOOK at your belongings well. And be sure to visit the places in Madrid that catch your attention the most.
2. Time: 11:00. Tour buses usually stop at the city’s main attractions. Or on the Metro you can get to them without any problem. Depending on your preferences and the short time, you must decide which attraction you will dedicate more time to, some ideas, based on our Top 10+2 are: The Royal Palace, The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia Museum, The Temple of Debod, El Retiro Park, Walking through the Center of Madrid, etc.
3. Time 14:00 – Time to recharge your batteries. Eat something light to continue the task. You can try the Tapas of Madrid. There are hundreds of them all over the city, depending on where you are, there are sure to be bars nearby for “Tapaar” and a “Caña” (Beer). Favorite places. La Latina, Plaza Mayor and surroundings, Calle Huertas, Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía, among others. The bars in the center are usually very touristy, and therefore more expensive.
4. Time: 16:00 . A walk through the centre of Madrid. Browse, shop, look, and experience Madrid. I recommend the Callao area, Gran Vía, Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Calle Arenal.
5. Time: 18:00. Snack. Recharge your batteries with a small snack, 2 options: Churros with Chocolate in San Gines (Calle Arenal) or Mallorquina and Puerta del Sol. Keep walking and enjoying Madrid.
6. Time: 5:30 p.m. Back to the hotel and take a little break.
7. Time: 19:00. Go out to dinner and enjoy some activity (again tastes prevail). A dinner with a flamenco tablao, a Musical in Gran Vía, a quiet dinner, a dinner with a walk, tapas again with a walk, in short, the alternatives can be varied.
8. Time: xx:00. End of the day. Let’s rest.

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Day 2

1. Time: 10:00. The day begins. You can go on your own or in a guided way. Given the short time you have, I recommend Plan A. If on the 1st day you took the ride on the busMadridOn the 2nd day it would be convenient to walk on your own. Buy your Metro pass and get around Madrid.
   1. Plan A. A ride on the Tourist Bus is a good alternative. With stops at multiple sites in the city, this tour takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. There are 2 routes: Historic Madrid and Modern Madrid. No waste of time and no getting too tired. Access to the bus varies in price according to the seasons, in winter it is usually cheaper. However, the uphill ticket doesn’t cost much. One option is to purchase the MadridCard which gives you access to the Tourist Bus, the entrance to the main museums of Madrid, the Tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Field), discounts in shops, restaurants, and more things. It’s a quick alternative.
   1. Plan B. Go out on your own. The best option is to purchase a Tourist Transport Pass, sold in the Metro and tourist centers, there are 1-2-3—– days. For example, the 1-day pass costs €5.20. You can access the Metro and Buses without any problem and in an unlimited way during the day.
   1. Plan C. Going out to “kick” Madrid, with no fixed destination. Walk with map in hand through the main streets of Madrid. Getting lost and finding Madrid again, this option, a little more adventurous, will surely have greater anecdotes. Of course, always try to TAKE CARE and LOOK at your belongings well. And be sure to visit the places in Madrid that catch your attention the most.
2. Time: 11:00. Tour buses usually stop at the city’s main attractions. Or on the Metro you can get to them without any problem. Depending on your preferences and the short time, you must decide which attraction you will dedicate more time to, some ideas, based on our Top 10+2 are: The Royal Palace, The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia Museum, The Temple of Debod, The Retiro Park, Walking through the Center of Madrid, etc.
3. Time 14:00 – Time to recharge your batteries. Eat something light to continue the task. You can try the Tapas of Madrid. There are hundreds of them all over the city, depending on where you are, there are sure to be bars nearby for “Tapaar” and a “Caña” (Beer). Favorite places. La Latina, Plaza Mayor and surroundings, Calle Huertas, Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía, among others. The bars in the center are usually very touristy, and therefore more expensive.
4. Time: 16:00 . A walk through the centre of Madrid. Browse, shop, look, and experience Madrid. I recommend the Callao area, Gran Vía, Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Calle Arenal.
5. Time: 18:00. Snack. Recharge your batteries with a small snack, 2 options: Churros with Chocolate in San Gines (Calle Arenal) or Mallorquina and Puerta del Sol. Keep walking and enjoying Madrid.
6. Time: 5:30 p.m. Back to the hotel and take a little break.
7. Time: 19:00. Go out to dinner and enjoy some activity (again tastes prevail). A dinner with a flamenco tablao, a musical in Gran Vía, a quiet dinner, a dinner with a walk, tapas again with a walk, in short, the alternatives can be varied.
8. Time: xx:00. End of the day. Let’s rest.

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3 days in Madrid

With 3 days we are already more relaxed, being able to even make an excursion around Madrid.

Day 1

1. Time: 10:00. The day begins. You can go on your own or in a guided way. Given the short time you have, I recommend Plan A.
   1. Plan A. A walk along the “Madrid Tourist Bus” is a good alternative. With stops at multiple sites in the city, this tour takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. There are 2 routes: Historic Madrid and Modern Madrid. No waste of time and no getting too tired. Access to the bus varies in price according to the seasons, in winter it is usually cheaper. However, the uphill ticket doesn’t cost much. One option is to purchase the MadridCard which gives you access to the Tourist Bus, the entrance to the main museums of Madrid, the Tour of the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid Field), discounts in shops, restaurants, and more things. It’s a quick alternative.
   1. Plan B. Go out on your own. The best option is to purchase a Tourist Transport Pass, sold in the Metro and tourist centers, there are 1-2-3—– days. For example, the 1-day pass costs €5.20. You can access the Metro and Buses without any problem and in an unlimited way during the day.
   1. Plan C. Going out to “kick” Madrid, with no fixed destination. Walk with map in hand through the main streets of Madrid. Getting lost and finding Madrid again, this option, a little more adventurous, will surely have more anecdotes. Of course, always try to TAKE CARE and LOOK at your belongings well. And be sure to visit the places in Madrid that catch your attention the most.
2. Time: 11:00. Tour buses usually stop at the city’s main attractions. Or on the Metro you can get to them without any problem. Depending on your preferences and the short time, you must decide which attraction you will dedicate more time to, some ideas, based on our Top 10+2 are: The Royal Palace, The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia Museum, The Temple of Debod, El Retiro Park, Walking through the Center of Madrid, etc.
3. Time 14:00 – Time to recharge your batteries. Eat something light to continue the task. You can try the Tapas of Madrid. There are hundreds of them all over the city, depending on where you are, there are sure to be bars nearby for “Tapaar” and a “Caña” (Beer). Favorite places. La Latina, Plaza Mayor and surroundings, Calle Huertas, Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía, among others. The bars in the center are usually very touristy, and therefore more expensive.
4. Time: 16:00 . A walk through the centre of Madrid. Browse, shop, look, and experience Madrid. I recommend the Callao area, Gran Vía, Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Calle Arenal.
5. Time: 18:00. Snack. Recharge your batteries with a small snack, 2 options: Churros with Chocolate in San Gines (Calle Arenal) or Mallorquina and Puerta del Sol. Keep walking and enjoying Madrid.
6. Time: 5:30 p.m. Back to the hotel and take a little break.
7. Time: 19:00. Go out to dinner and enjoy some activity (again tastes prevail). A dinner with a flamenco tablao, a Musical in Gran Vía, a quiet dinner, a dinner with a walk, tapas again with a walk, in short, the alternatives can be varied.
8. Time: xx:00. End of the day. Let’s rest.

Day 2

This day can be spent on an excursion around Madrid, combining it with a good dinner and a more accentuated rest. Some excursion alternatives are, in order of my preferences:

1. Toledo. The city of 3 cultures — Christian, Arab and Jewish — is a UNESCO World Heritage City. It’s a real trip to the past. A city that is easy to navigate, and envelops you in its history. Visiting Toledo is always a pleasure, you can go on a guided tour (hired bus), the High Speed Train (AVE) which, I recommend, by public bus, etc. 70 kms from Madrid, in less than an hour, you can get there by a modern motorway. If you opt for the AVE train, the time is reduced to about 35″.
2. San Lorenzo de El Escorial . Visiting the El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the Fallen is quite an experience. The majesty of the Monastery is to be applauded. In a natural enclave, surrounded by mountains, a visit to El Escorial becomes an experience. Its picturesque streets contrast with the Monastery and the friendliness of its people. About 50 kms from Madrid, you can also opt for the contracted excursion, the train, the public bus, among others.
3. Segovia – Visiting the Segovia aqueduct and El Alcázar is quite an experience. Tasting the Roast Suckling Pig and walking through historic alleys make Segovia a popular destination for tourists and citizens of Madrid. On weekends it is usually crowded. Don’t stop buying souvenirs, a good souvenir is always good.
4. Aranjuez . With its Royal Palace, going to Aranjuez is also a tour full of good experiences. The Strawberry Train usually runs in Spring, when it is the season for Strawberries. Be sure to try the traditional Strawberries with Cream of the area. You can go by bus or train. Also if you prefer you can rent a car and walk around Aranjuez.
5. Chinchón. It is a picturesque village about 45″ from Madrid. It is located to the south-east of the city and is usually reached by the A3. Its Plaza Mayor is one of the most popular in Spain, there is a tourist Parador (hotel), where you can enter to have a snack. Shopping and handicraft items are recommended.
6. Sierra de Guadarrama (Winter Only).  If you like the snow and visit Madrid in winter, it is a GREAT alternative to visit the mountains of Madrid. They are easily accessible by train from Atocha, and you can visit the Cotos Station or Navacerrada. You can rent sleds, skis, and enjoy a hot chocolate. Ideal with children and the whole family
7. Salamanca. Full of history and great beauty. Salamanca, about 2 hours from Madrid, is another option for those who want to see one of Spain’s jewels. It is a very student and jovial city, its university is among the first universities in the world. You can get there by train or bus. Another option is to rent a car.
8. Siguenza (Only on the Medieval Train). A journey (literally) to the Middle Ages. Sigüenza is a beautiful town to the north-east of Madrid, about 2 hours by train. I recommend that you do it on the Medieval Train that leaves from the Chamartin station in Madrid, and that usually happens in spring once the intense cold has gone.
9. Time xx:00. End of the day. Depending on your strength, I recommend dinner and rest.

Day 3

1. Time: 10:00. The day begins. You can go on your own or in a guided way. Opt for a plan you didn’t make on day 1.
   1. Plan A. A walk on the “Madrid Tourist Bus” is a good alternative. With stops at multiple sites in the city, this tour takes you through the city’s most iconic landmarks. There are 2 routes: Historic Madrid and Modern Madrid. No waste of time and no getting too tired. Access to the bus varies in price according to the seasons, in winter it is usually cheaper. However, the upload ticket does not cost much. One option is to purchase the MadridCard which gives you access to the Tourist Bus, the entrance to the main museums of Madrid, the Tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Field), discounts in shops, restaurants, and more things. It’s a quick alternative.
   1. Plan B. Go out on your own. The best option is to purchase a Tourist Transport Pass, sold in the Metro and tourist centers, there are 1-2-3—– days. For example, the 1-day pass costs €5.20. You can access the Metro and Buses without any problem and in an unlimited way during the day.
   1. Plan C. Going out to “kick” Madrid, with no fixed destination. Walk with map in hand through the main streets of Madrid. Getting lost and finding Madrid again, this option, a little more adventurous, will surely have greater anecdotes. Of course, always try to TAKE CARE and LOOK at your belongings well. And be sure to visit the places in Madrid that catch your attention the most.
2. Time: 11:00. Tour buses usually stop at the city’s main attractions. Or on the Metro you can get to them without any problem. Depending on your preferences and the short time, you must decide which attraction you will dedicate more time to, some ideas, based on our Top 10+2 are: The Royal Palace, The Prado Museum, The Reina Sofia Museum, The Temple of Debod, The Retiro Park, Walking through the Center of Madrid, visit to the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid),  etc.
3. Time 14:00 – Time to recharge your batteries. Eat something light to continue the task. You can try the Tapas of Madrid. There are hundreds of them all over the city, depending on where you are, there are sure to be bars nearby for “Tapaar” and a “Caña” (Beer). Favorite places. La Latina, Plaza Mayor and surroundings, Calle Huertas, Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía, among others. The bars in the center are usually very touristy, and therefore more expensive.
4. Time: 16:00 . A walk through the centre of Madrid. Browse, shop, look, and experience Madrid. I recommend the Callao area, Gran Vía, Calle Preciados, Puerta del Sol and Calle Arenal.
5. Time: 18:00. Snack. Recharge your batteries with a small snack, 2 options: Churros with Chocolate in San Gines (Calle Arenal) or Mallorquina and Puerta del Sol. Keep walking and enjoying Madrid.
6. Time: 5:30 p.m. Back to the hotel and take a little break.
7. Time: 19:00. Go out to dinner and enjoy some activity (again tastes prevail). A dinner with a flamenco tablao, a musical in Gran Vía, a quiet dinner, a dinner with a walk, tapas again with a walk, in short, the alternatives can be varied.
8. Time: xx:00. End of the day. Let’s rest.

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And please, don’t leave Madrid without:

1. Eat the Calamari Sandwich from El Brillante (Atocha) with a Caña (Beer). Plaza del Museo Reina Sofía.
2. Try the churros with chocolate from San Gines (Calle El Arenal).
3. Take the tour of the Santiago Bernabéu (Real Madrid Stadium). And buy something from your store. If you’re lucky, attend a football game.
4. Travel by Metro, any station, even though I recommend the stations of Goya, El Retiro, etc.
5. Visit the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.
6. Visit El Rastro on a Sunday morning (that’s if you’re in Madrid on a Sunday).
7. Leave Tapas through La Latina (Calle la Cava Baja). Metro: La Latina.
8. Visit the Corte Inglés on Calle Preciados, very close to Callao.
9. Visit the Royal Palace.
10. Go shopping at Las Rozas Villaje (although far away it is worth it).
11. Go to HardRock Cafe in Madrid, on Plaza Colón with Paseo La Castellana.
12. Take the photo at Cibeles and the Palacio de Telecomunicaciones.
13. Visit a Zara store.
14. Walk around the Chuecas (Gay) neighborhood and have a bite to eat in one of its bars.
15. Walk along Madrid’s Gran Vía, from Calle Alcalá to Plaza de España.
16. Visit Toledo on the High Speed Train (AVE). Departs from Atocha.
17. Visit a flamenco tablao.
18. Go to a Bullfight (if it’s bullfighting season).