This will be my second time to stopover in Madrid before business in Spain. Last time I stayed at a Best Western near Puerta del Sol, saw 3 museums, the palace, and walked around the old town, squares, etc. for 2 days before flying on.

This time I expect to arrive at the airport at 9am on a Saturday in September, have the rest of Satuday, Sunday, then Monday until I either catch a train from Atocha at 6:30pm or a plan from MAD at 5:45pm. I'll still checking to see if I can find a real early flight on Tuesday so I can stretch another night, but unlikely.

I am open to suggestions as to what to see this time since I made sure I got to my top picks last time. I like architecture, history, and nature; not interested in food, bars, shopping.

I had the Royal Tapestry Factory on my list and asked in another thread if anyone had been lately. Other sights you would recommend?

I'm thinking of long day trip via bus or train to Toledo on Sunday. Anyplace that would be reasonable to reach for Saturday afternoon/evening before I crash? I've seen El Escorial recommended (train from Atocha or bus from Moncloa) and it doesn't sound too far from the city. Segovia and Salamanca seem further away.

I am thinking (though I haven't looked yet) that I might stay near Atocha as I may take the train and the bus transport to Toledo is near there. I think I want to settle how I am spending my time before I choose my budget/midpriced hotel.

Thanks for any advice.

Have you heard about the Museum of the Americas or the Antropological Museum? Both are gems, with great exhibits on aspects of Spain's history worth a visit.

But check in advance closing days. It seemed all museums except Reina Sofia are closed on Mondays.

Now there is a fast train Madrid to Toledo, less than 30 min. It is a city worth a day at least. Train info at renfe.es
I always encourage the Thyssen Museum, at present with a very good temporal exhibit. It has a new restaurant at the terrace, for evening meals with a great view. www.museothyssen.org for opening days etc.
You have as well the Prado, right in front (free entrance on sundays, thus crowded; closed mondays). And the botanical gardens beside the Prado.
Another museum I love is the Sorolla Museum, located in the house where he lived and had his studio. www.museosorolla.mcu.es for summer info, etc, with a useful link to Verano en los Museos Estatales (summer in the state museums) where you can find and browse different museums in Madrid such as Archaeological, Cerralbo and Academy of San Fernando.
Do you need hotel info?

Have you obtained a copy of Maribel's Guide from her website? It is priceless.

I would go to Segovia or Toledo before going to Escorial (not that it is not nice). One of my favorite small museum in Madrid is the Huelgas Reales convent located close to the Corte Ingles. Amazing religious art!

Josele...I love Museo Sorolla! I found it only because of Maribel's Guide and I try to go everytime I'm in Madrid.

Viajero2...I'm hoping for a business trip in the near future to visit the Antropologico and the Americas.

marigross-- the Museo de Las Americas in Madrid blew me away and am glad to hear is in your list. A museum staff member mentioned how some of the artifacts were actually collected/rescued from abandoned houses where old sailors used to lived. Some of the stuff they brought back as "souvenirs" are today priceless Precolombian historical pieces. At a minimum, it is worth to check out the Tudela Codix and the Treasures of the Quimbayas. I could not belive the stuff they have in this museum.

As far as the museum in Madrid, isn't it the Museum of the Descalzas Reales? We stayed a block from there and their open hours are kind of limited, so planning is definitely a must.

Thanks for the suggestions. Almost time for my trip. I'll be arriving on Saturday a.m. Tried to make online reservation with Aerocity shuttle for trip into city, but form died before I got to step 3. Last time I used a taxi. Still have to sort that out.

Staying Saturday night at Husa Paseo del Arte for 85 Euros. I still haven't decided whether to go to Museo de América and Museo Arqueológico Nacional or whether to take the half day tour to El Escorial and Valley of the Fallen (3-8pm). Last time I was full of energy and after a short rest saw the palace (loved it) and two art museums as well as walked quite a bit my first day. This trip, who knows.

Sunday I plan to take the fast train to Toledo. Overnight at Hotel Santa Isabela. I'm planning to wander the city and visit some of the highlights.

Monday I'll train back to Madrid. Depending on time I may stop and try to get to the Royal Tapestry Factory before boarding a train to Alicante. I think that will be easier than going to the airport to fly over.

Thanks for the advice. I've yet to check calendars for special events, etc. I've just been to busy to do more than book plane tickets and hotels.

Kay2,
And anyone else museum hopping in Madrid:
The hours of the Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales are the following:
Tues./Wed.Thurs./Sat.: 10:30-12:45, then 4-5:45
Fri: 10:30-12:45
Sun.: 11-1:45
Closed public holidays
I encourage you to be at the door before 10:30, as a line very quickly forms. The visit is by guided tour only and a strictly limited number per visit. It is indeed worth standing in line at 10 a.m.
The tapesty room, earl 17th century, designs by Rubens, is wonderful.

Yup, I stand corrected! Its the Descalzas Reales (I think the Huelgas Reales is in Burgos or was it Dueñas Reales....hummm).

I LOVE the Descalzas museum. The line is always long so try to be early.

I would encourage you to skip Escorial in favor of Toledo or Segovia.

Thanks for the help.

I flew into Madrid and took the Metro to Nuevos Ministerios station, then bought a ticket and transfered to the Cercanias train to Atoche, then walked to hotel. It was a cheap, easy alternative. I had decided not to book a tour for Saturday as I had been very busy up to time of departure and still had work to do to prepare for meeting on Tuesday. It worked well to spend the time until room ready checking email at Internet cafe, booking train tickets at the Corte Ingles travel agent office, picking up a few supplies from market, and a salad to eat in my room. After a shower and short nap, I ate my salad and worked for several hours. The warm sun and balmy temps through my open window drew outside, however, so I opted to walk in Retiro Park rather than inside a museum. I can't say it was very pretty, but was full of walking paths. I did enjoy seeing the old buildings.

I took the first AVE train to Toledo on Sunday morning, then a taxi to Santa Isabel. Morning and evening were definitely the best in Toledo. Sunday morning several of the museums were free and there were no large groups until later in the day. I spent the day walking from site to site and museum to museum, stopping for lunch at the Patio Restaurant--quail. At 7pm I took the tourist train tour, but I should have held out for the 8pm when the sun was even lower. I did not like that I could not purchase in advance for a later train tour and the trains were pretty full. It is worth the effort to see the view from across the river. Be sure to nab a seat by the open side/right for best views. I did walk for awhile again after the train, enjoying as the locals came out for the evening.

Monday morning was also nice in early a.m. for walking and shopping. I was not as impressed by the cathedral as expected. I enjoyed the synagogues, gates, smaller churches and museums I saw the day before more. The train station was lovely as well.

The return via train to Madrid and transfer to Alicante was simple in Atoche. However, I had 2 hour layover. I sat in the station and did some work though I could have put my luggage in left luggage (4,50 Euros for large locker) and gone for a walk again, but by now I've seen the area. The access to the gate for the train to Alicante was strange. We had to go through a specific gate in the Cercanias station for nonmagnetic tickets that was manned only 25 minutes before the train time. Until then the agent tells eveyone to get in a line. No seating is available in that part of the station. So by about 45 minutes before the train a line formed and snaked across the station. After we were let through the gate, we joined everyone who had magnetic tickets who could go through the machine entry at anytime. There were no train diagrams on the platform but about 5 minutes before the train arrived an agent hurried along telling people where to stand for their car. I was surprised at the press of people shoving to get aboard as the seats are assigned. I guess they were concerned about getting a place for all the large suitcases. Once aboard it was a smooth ride to Alicante.

Kay2,
How did you like your accomodations at the Husa Paseo del Arte?

I don't go to the Rastro Sunday morning!

After Mass we usually go to Retiro Park and enjoy the street performers who line the main walk from the Puerta de Alcalá toward the rowboat lake. It can be delightful! Once we were fortunate to enjoy a Cantaor de flamenco singing 'Una Niña se perdió, camino de Santa Aurelia' & his accompanying guitarrist

Maribel,
For me the hotel was fine. Modern, not much character. Picture #11 on the website must be a suite--my room was not that large.

I had a nonsmoking room. It was very clean. The bed was comfortable. The desk with chair functional. I am trying to remember the bath--I think it was a little crowded. The tub had the plexiglass half shower door (I do not know what to call those) so some water wanted to escape if using the handheld nozzle to rinse.

I had a room overlooking the street. There was the usual street noise with the window open, but very little when closed and the air conditioning worked well, so I turned it on at night for comfort and to block out the rest of the noise.

The front desk staff were competent. I did not have any special requests besides storing my luggage until room was ready and there were many people storing luggage upon arrival or until departure.

The internet connection cost 12Euros a day in the room or there is a computer to use in the lobby for a fee.

I did not eat at the hotel, so I cannot comment on food.

I also did not look or use any other services at the hotel.

I booked through HRS.de for 85Euros.

MARIGROSS:
this weekend I have been with Sorolla's grandson and he tells me that the Hispanic Society Panels ARE COMING TO SPAIN NEXT YEAR due to restorations of the society. They shall be exhibited in Valencia and Madrid. I can't hardly wait!!!!!

josele, those are great news! Looking forward to it and hoping that it fits into my business travel!

Josele,
That's sooooo exciting! So very few folks ever get up to the Hispanic Society in NYC to see them. It's such a shame it isn't more well known. And to take them "home" to Valencia too will be wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing this!

and Kay 2,
Thanks very much for taking the time to share your experience at the Husa Paseo del Arte.