My husband and I are planning a 3 night 2 full days in Madrid in August on the way home from the Amalfi coast. We are also thinking of doing a half day tour to Segovia or Toledo, any suggestions on the best to do in the 2 days?

If you like art, Madrid has two very good museums, the Prado and the Thyssen.

We'll definitely got to the Prado, I thought a half day then half day maybe old city? Next day 1/2 day tour outside City? Then..? Any ideas?

What days of the week will you be there? That's important because some Museums are closed Mondays.

If you just want to say you've been there, one of the Tour Bus Companies used to do a Toledo and Segovia 1-day Tour from Madrid. Your Hotel should be able to arrange one for you.

Normally I would recommend dining (midday meal) in Segovia, but August is just too hot.

With only 2 days in Madrid, I'd recommend staying there. The Thyssen is amazing, and the Prado and Reina Sofia are also great. Add in the castle, cathedral and some parks and squares, and you have a very full up 2 days.

I also recommend staying in Madrid and finding someplace cool to enjoy the city -- like its fabulous museums. They are among the best in Europe. I would join the Spaniards in snoozing during the hottest part of the day and then go out in the evening and enjoy the fabulous cafe life the city offers.

Toledo is lovely, but unless you get unseasonably cool weather, marching up and down those stone walkways (no trees) sounds grim for August.

Thank you all, sounds like a good idea to make the most of the two days staying in Madrid. I hadn't heard of the Thyssen museum but I'll definitely check it out.

Check out the NYTimes Madrid story from their "36 Hours" series.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/01/28...l/28hours.html

Also these other recent Madrid articles.
http://travel.nytimes.com/gst/travel...mp;x=8&y=8

One more thing - Is it advisable to get museum reservations in advance? If so do you know how? web site?

If I recall correctly, the three main museums (the Prado, the Reine Sophia, and the Thyssen) don't use a reservation system.

joodeep, Consider opening this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34954915

and searching for prado.

I spent two nights in Madrid last summer with a friend and plan to go back next month. I found the most enjoyable activity in Madrid was to be out at night in the lively street scene. The Plaza Santa Ana is full of cafes and bars and there were performers and craft vendors set up in the plaza. Very nice atmosphere.

We also enjoyed the midnight flamenco show at Casa Patas.

We bought an all day pass at one museum for the other two, which is more cost-effective and lets you bypass the line for the other museums.

The Sofia Reina Museum which houses Guernica, among other major works, is open Mondays and closed Tuesdays.

I agree that ther is so much to see better to stay & see old Madrid, the Palace, perhaps a couple of other sights. Leave Sevgovia / Toledo for another time.
What are you interests?