We'll be in Madrid for 4 days (April 30 - May 3). Looks like all major sites (Prado, Reina Sofia, Thyssen, Royal Palace, El Escorial) are closed Sunday, May 1st (which is a holiday), and most also closed Monday. Any suggestions what to do on those days in Madrid and vicinity?

Retiro Park is always worth visiting. ALso just walking around and explring the varius plazas and neighborhoods could easily use up a day. You may also consider a day trip to Toledo (although I don't know what may and may not be open there).

If I remember correctly, when I was in Madrid for a weekend there was a large market on Sundays. Plenty of bargains and atmosphere.

Hi,
be aware that many places in Madrid will also be closed on the 3rd of May. One of the main festivities in Madrid is the 2nd of May, the beginning of the Independence War against France in 1808. As this year the government has moved the 1st of May holiday to the 2nd, the 2nd of May has been moved to the 3rd of May

The good thing will be that most people will have run away to the beaches

Rgds, Cova

Have never heard of this May 2 holiday, nor is it listed in any guidebook. What a puente, Sun. to Wed., if this is correct.

The May 2 holiday is a Madrid only holiday, not all of Spain. CHeck out the website http://www.madridman.com/mad-info.html, scroll down to business hours and holidays.

Hi Bedan,

mfnyc is right. The 2nd of May is a bank holiday only in Madrid (and its province). The "puente" won“t be so big, only 4 days ( Saturday to Tuesday )

If someone is interested on the origin of the 2nd of May festivity, they should check two Goya paintings in the Museo del Prado : "La carga de los mamelucos", depicting the fight between the french army and the madrileños on the 2nd of May, and "Los fusilamientos del 3 de Mayo", with the following day fusillades.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dos_de_Mayo
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imagen:Goya-fusillade.png

On the 2nd of May, the town mayor of Mostoles, in the south of Madrid, asked all the Spaniards to raise in arms against the Frenchs, and so begun the War of Independence or the Peninsular Wars (as it was called by the British ...).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peninsular_War

And after all these long stories ... I think that Segovia could be a good place for a day trip. It is not very far away, and there are plenty of buses leaving from Madrid Florida bus station.
http://www.lasepulvedana.es/
(sorry, but it“s only in spanish)
http://spainforvisitors.com/sections/segovia.htm

Check Maribel“s guides before leaving : http://www.maribelsguides.com

And maybe crazy, but ... friends of mine went to Sevilla for the day last Good Friday. They took the 7:30 am train and then they returned at 22:00 pm, and they had a great day. Tiring, but great
Rgds, Cova

Check out Toledo to see if there are similar closings, also Escorial and Los Caidos.

We took the highspeed train to Sevilla for a day trip and it worked wonderfully, definitely worth it -- see the Alcazar Gardens without fail.