Am going first time to Madrid and would welcome comments on the itinerary I've got planned. I don't at all mind a full plate and like art museums.

1. afternoon arrival (Friday). Evening: Goya's tomb.

2. Next day: El Escorial/Valley of the Fallen.

3. Next day: Madrid. morning: El Rastro. Afternoon: Aranjuez Royal Palace.

4. Next day: Segovia.

5. Next day: Madrid. Morning: Royal Palace, Monasterio Descalzes Reales. Afternoon: San Fernando Fine Arts Museum, Cathedral. Evening: Plaza Major, Plaza del Sol.

6. Next day: Madrid. Morning/Afternoon: Prado. Evening: Reina Sofia.

7. Next day: Madrid. Morning: Parque Retiro. Morning/Afternoon: Thyssen Museum, Evening: Reina Sofia.

8. Next day: Toledo.

9. Next day: depart.

Any places that have unusually long lines that merit an early arrival in winter/spring (Prado maybe)? Any places I'm really missing here? Is the amusement park in the Casa de Campo worth going to? I'm thinking places like Cordoba, Seville, Granada, Barcelona are for another time.

Also, is the El Greco House Museum in Toledo still closed? If so, are its paintings being shown somewhere else at this time? Is Toledo's Alcazar also closed?

Many thanks!

I would recommend trying to break up the Prado/Reina Sofia visits. That's an awful lot of museum to see in one day--you might be museum'd out after the Prado.

Why are you going on two different days to the Reina Sofia? It's not a huge museum. I would do Retiro park the same day you go to Prado.

I agree about RAC seeing the museums on different days.

And get there xtra early for Descalzas Reales, the line is kind of slow moving they just let 21 in at a time. It's a good line for an ice cream cone.

I feel that you will be visiting a lot of places out of Madrid.
Cruseluv it totally right, two days for the Reina Sofia, is this a mistake? I personally would spend more time in the Prado mUseum which in my opinion is one of the best in the world. It seems to me that you will be going here and there, in and out of Madrid, but somehow not enjoying Madrid as a city, its bars and tapas, having a feeling of the city....but I guess each person looks for different things. I have been to Madrid , many times and I have not even seen some of the places you mention like Goya's tomb, may be I am missing a lot, but instead I have seen MANY times the Goyas in El Prado. Buena suerte.

Suggestions:
Day 1. Goya's tomb and painted dome in San Antonio de la Florida. Dinner at Casa Mingo just over there.
Day 3. El Rastro if Sunday.
Day 6. El Prado if not Monday (closed). Reina Sofia if not Tuesday (closed).
Day 7. Thyssen if not Monday.

SAN FRANCISCO EL GRANDE CHURCH. One of the capital's largest churches, it's also noted for having a huge and outstanding collection of paintings displayed amongst its seven chapels. You'll see work by Goya, Zurbaran, Alonso Cano, Maella and Casado del Alisal along with marble sculptures by Ricardo Bellver and Mariano Benlliure. The dome and barrel-vaulted ceilings are covered in lovely frescoes. The church itself is an example of 18th-century classical design and its dome - measuring 33m in diameter - is one of the largest in the world. You'll find it close to the cathedral and the Royal Palace.

MUSEO SOROLLA
It's located in what was his home and studio, donated to the Spanish state by his widow. Some 300 canvasses and thousands of drawings are spread throughout the three floors. The first floor contains his home and the three studios where he worked. The second floor displays most of his paintings and the ground floor is devoted to his drawings. He was a master of light and shade and concentrated on painting the female form as well as children and the sea. You'll find this museum to be an oasis of tranquility.

MUSEO DEL TRAJE (Clothing museum)
Located in Ciudad Universitaria, a 20-minute subway ride from the center, this museum displays more than 500 costumes, even frocks from the 1700s, along with bullfighters' "suits of light." Spanish folk dress is highlighted as well, along with Chanel designs and a 1967 metal dress made by designer Paco Rabanne. Movie scenes show fashions, including Bogie's Casablanca and Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy as she appeared in Funny Face. Attracting the most attention is Marilyn Monroe in a subway-blown William Travilla dress in The Seven Year Itch. On-site is an excellent Basque restaurant, Bokado.

changing of the guard, ( new event) on wednesdays now at royal palace.

You don't say when your Madrid trip is scheduled.

It's 'Puerta del Sol,' not 'Plaza del Sol.' And it's 'Plaza Mayór,' not 'Plaza Major.'

San Lorenzo Monastery in Escorial is definitely worth a visit; but I wouldn't give 5 euro-cents for El Caudillo's monument to himself: el Valle de los Caidos.

Sunday mornings, I prefer Retiro Park to el Rastro fleamarket. In el Retiro there are (non-agressive) Street Performers of many kinds. In el Rastro you're likely to get your pocket picked.

You may expect long lines if you arrive at the Palacio Réal, for example the day Spanish Nationals get in free (Thursdays?).

Both the places you asked about in Toledo were still closed as of last July. But I would still make the trip to see the city itself. Both Toledo and Segovia were wonderful and worth at least an entire day (I spent three in each) so go early and plan to stay late. Toledo, more so than Seogiva, has a lot of tour groups between about 10 and 4 so it's nice to be there a few hours before and after that time to enjoy it less crowded.

I know you said you like art museums, but try to spend some time just wandering around Madrid, there's more to it than just museums.

Are you driving or using public transportation? Going to the Valle from El Escorial can be tricky by train/bus, there is a detailed description in Maribel's Madrid Guide on how to do this which I followed successfully (checkout her website www maribelsguides . com)

The Escorial is OK, but as NED says, the Valle is (IMO) just plain weird. Naturally you only know this after you have been there. It was on my list of things to do in Madrid and now I dont have to return ever again. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

The Escorial/Valley round trip will take care of the most of the day and should put you back in Madrid around 4:00. Good time to clean up, rest and head out for tapas in La Latina area. That way you can skip the late dinner and fully recover from Jet Lag.

I completely agree that if you 'do' the Prado (it takes me several hours even after multiple visits) you will be museumed-out so don't plan on a second one on that date. A walk in the Retiro aftwards is a great suggestion.

Dont miss the Thiessen-Borhemiza. Some people dont like it but I do. Its all about expectations.

Another vote for the Sorolla museum. I absolutely love this place. I have had great recommendations for the Museo de las Americas, so that is on my list for my next visit.

Dont forget to allow time just to sit in the bars with a glass of wine and relax. Tons of great places to do that.

I seem to remember that we bought one ticket to cover the 'big 3' art museums, and the Prado was the only one with a queue, so best to buy a combined ticket first at one of the others to avoid the queue at the Prado. (We went in March.)

As of last week, the El Greco Museum was still closed, and the paintings' interim display at the nearby location ended Jan 1. I suppose this means they're now being escorted back to the Museo Casa del Greco. Not sure when it will reopen.