Madrid is not only the political capital but also the Golden Art Triangle—Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen. Three days is enough to capture the essence. DAY 1: HISTORIC CENTER Palacio Real, Plaza Mayor, Mercado de San Miguel (tapas), Puerta del Sol—the zero kilometer of Spain. Evening visit to Gran Vía. DAY 2: ART TRIANGLE Museo del Prado (10:00 AM opening, Goya, Velázquez, El Greco—3 hours), Reina Sofía (Picasso's Guernica, 2 hours), Parque del Retiro rest. Free admission to the Prado from 6-8 p.m. DAY 3: LA LATINA + TOLEDO La Latina morning—Sunday Rastro market, tapas crawl. Afternoon AVE train to Toledo (30 min) – the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Three Cultures. WHERE TO STAY Malasaña (alternative), Sol (central but noisy), Chueca (LGBTQ-friendly), Salamanca (luxury). METRO Buy a 24/48-hour Tourist Pass Multi. Cheap, clean, and air-conditioned.