Yes, Madrid is worth 3 days, and the Prado alone justifies the trip

The Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen sit within a 15-minute walk

Dinner from about 9.30pm, and squares still full at midnight

Retiro Park, its Crystal Palace and Templo de Debod cost nothing

July and August are hard work: mean highs of 32.1°C and 31.3°C

Toledo is 33 minutes by high-speed train, Segovia 30 minutes

No beach and no single icon: who Madrid suits, in the full guide