Book the Royal Palace and the Prado ahead — especially weekends and high season — or you lose the best hours to queues.
Best seasons: spring and autumn are usually the most pleasant for walking; midsummer can be hot — the guide keeps midday segments lighter.
Pacing: Madrid rewards slow evenings; the plan leaves space for tapas without forcing fixed restaurant bookings.
How to use the guide: follow the day blocks in order, but treat breaks as part of the route — not lost time.