Be sure to see the 16th- to 17th-century Spanish paintings by famous Old Masters, including El Greco, Goya, Velzquez, Zurbarn, Ribera, Pereda, and Murillo. 
The Prado suggests "routes" (self-guided tours) of specific works. This museum focuses mainly on Spanish art, and is more modern in scope than the others. And the perfect pairing is a sugary churro, which if you dont know, is piped dough, deep-fried. A short walk from the Plaza Mayor is the Chocolatera San Gins (5 Pasadizo San Gins), famous for its chocolate con churros (hot chocolate with deep-fried pastries), which has been a specialty since 1894. But while you are there, be sure to also take note of the Palacio de Comunicaciones. This grandiose palace is the Spanish version of Versailles, a royal court designed to impress. These works were painted at a turning point in Goya's career and are considered a precursor of modern painting. There is an entrance through the Plaza de la Armera, a spacious square between the Catedral and Palace, and a second entrance with impressive bronze doors by the sculptor Sanguino. These delightful historic gardens were created during the reign of Philip II and are landscaped in a formal French style with fountains and avenues. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. Standing in a major traffic intersection, the Fuente de Cibeles (Cybele's Fountain) is one of the most emblematic monuments in Madrid. We personally didnt think they were the best churros weve ever had, but its an iconic spot worth checking out at least once. 
Dedicated to the gods of Amon and Isis, this temple was donated to the Spanish people in 1968 as a thank you for helping to save sacred buildings. The little 18th-century chapel, along the banks of the Manzanares River behind the Royal Palace, hosts an annual festival in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua on June 13th, but it's the interior that has become a place of pilgrimage for art lovers. Highlights of the permanent collection include Egyptian mummies, Hispano-Roman and Islamic archaeological finds, Visigothic crowns, and Mudjar ceramics. You have to go inside for the full experience because the royal collections and frescoes are sublime. Social distancing rules must be folloed at all times. You can get them at a lot of different places. Still used for State ceremonies, the Throne Room is clad in sumptuous red velvet and decorated with valuable tapestries, mirrors, furniture, and chandeliers. This prestigious collection includes renowned masterpieces such as Christ and the Samaritan Woman by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Venus and Cupid by Peter Paul Rubens, The Annunciation by El Greco, Young Knight in a Landscape by Vittore Carpaccio, Jesus among the Doctors by Albrecht Drer, The See-Saw by Jean-Honor Fragonard, Dancer in Green by Edward Degas, Solitude by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Route de Versailles by Camille Pissarro, Les Vessenots in Auvers by Vincent van Gogh, and The Harvesters by Pablo Picasso. Throughout the palace, masterpieces of art decorate the walls: paintings by Velzquez, Goya, Rubens, El Greco, and Caravaggio, and exquisite Flemish and French tapestries. Don't worry,it's a few times a month and not spammy. Dating back to 1725, Sobrino de Botin Restaurant holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest restaurant in the world. More than 1,200 paintings and drawings by Sorolla are displayed in the artist's house and studio, which has retained its original decor. 16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Spain, 17 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Madrid, 20 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Barcelona, Where to Stay in Madrid: Best Areas & Hotels, 20 Best Places to Visit in Northern Spain, 12 Top-Rated Cheap Places to Visit in Europe, 18 Top Tourist Attractions in Toledo & Easy Day Trips, 18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Segovia, 11 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in vila, 15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Cuenca, 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Salamanca, 15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Burgos, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 20 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World, http://www.museothyssen.org/en/thyssen/home, http://www.flg.es/your-visit-to-the-museo-lazaro-galdiano, El Escorial Monastery and the Valley of the. Were Esther & Jacob. A truly world-class museum, the Museo Nacional del Prado has a collection of more than 8,000 paintings and 700 sculptures. From the main entrance at the Plaza de Independencia, visitors arrive at the pool in the center of the park. The interior features an inspiring 58-meter-high dome that is larger than the dome of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London. Pro Tip: Right outside of the NorthWest corner of the park, youll find Puerta de Alcal, which is a grand gateway that is worth checking out. Other must-see works in the Spanish Painting collection include The Annunciation by El Greco, Jacob's Dream by Jos de Ribera, The Third of May by Goya, The Virgin and Child by Luis de Morales, Christ Embracing Saint Bernard by Francisco Ribalta, and The Immaculate Conception by Murillo. The Real Jardn Botnico is also home to the Museum of Natural History. Address: 37 Paseo del General Martnez Campos, Madrid. Another wonderful surprise to visitors is the charming garden in the inner courtyard filled with imaginative sculptures. I hope to visit Madrid some day, it looks so beautiful. This spacious town square aligns with the rising sun. The King Charles III apartments are among the most beautiful rooms in the Royal Palace. An emblematic landmark near Madrid's top museums, Just a short walk away from the Prado Museum and the Plaza Mayor, the three-star, Between the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol, the two-star, Near the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol, the, Many first-time visitors enjoy seeing the sights on the, For an exhilarating way to see the sights, consider the, Discover another remarkable UNESCO World Heritage site on the. Wide avenues are congested with traffic, but beautiful parks break up the urban sprawl. It can be so rich and thick you sometimes need a spoon to drink it. About a 10-minute walk from the Real Jardn Botnico is the popular Restaurante TriCiclo (28 Calle Santa Mara), which serves lunch and dinner in a contemporary-style dining room with a casual ambience. Source: Alexandre Rotenberg / shutterstock. Photo Tip: Depending on the venue, there are shows that dont allow for photography until the very end. Its overly sweet to me, but its sort of a cool experience considering how iconic the bear and tree symbol is (the statue is a favourite meeting spot for young expats starting out their bar hopping etc.). Nearly every Spanish person will recognise the clock at the top of the Casa de Correos, as this marks the televised countdown on New Years Eve. In La Montaa Park (close to the Plaza de Espaa), visitors can discover an ancient Egyptian temple. Madrileos love going out on the town, and the paseo por la noche (evening stroll) is a cherished ritual. Thank you for sharing your experience we know lot of the things about Madrid we love this place, Thank you for reading, Amelia! Learn how your comment data is processed. Eat Your Way Through Mercado de San Miguel, What to Eat in Spain the Best Spanish Foods, 25 Amazing Markets in the World to Put on Your Bucket List, 15 other Spanish words & expressions you should know, Best Deals on Madrid Hotels and Tripadvisor Reviews. On the rooftops are terraces of a different kind. Another of Madrids musts, Plaza Mayor is a handsome renaissance square, laid out in the early-1600s and completely sequestered by historic three-storey-high residential buildings. These rooms are adorned with refined decor of the Enlightenment era. Exceptions for health centers and gas stations. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible. Learn more about us here and dont forget to subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive content. The Museo Reina Sofa contains over 23,000 artworks in its collections. It is located next to Plaza de Oriente square, which you should also explore!
La Latina is a great area to grab tapas. By far, the most famous piece is Picassos Guernica, which was much larger than we had imagined! We are ATLiens who explore a new city every year. The Baslica de San Francisco el Grande was built by Carlos III in 1761 for a Franciscan friary. On the 90-minute tour, your knowledgeable guide provides an overview of the museum's must-see masterpieces, while providing historical context to help you understand the artworks. Visitors will find other interesting fountains at Buen Retiro Park including Los Galpagos (The Turtles), El ngel Cado (The Fallen Angel), and La Alcachofa (The Artichoke). Museums, Stadiums, Food markets and performing arts. The Cibeles Fountain is an icon in Madrid. Written by Lisa AlexanderUpdated Apr 25, 2022, We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). This is one thing we regret not having time for in Madrid.
More: Best Deals on Madrid Hotels and Tripadvisor Reviews. One of its most-visited museums draws football (soccer) fans to the stadium of the city's home team, Real Madrid.
Its a tourist spot and can be very crowded. A caf in the garden serves coffee and cakes to museum guests in need of refreshments. You may be surprised to learn that there is an authentic Egyptian temple dating from the 2nd Century BC in Madrid. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofa | Takashi Images / Shutterstock.com. The palace was commissioned by Philip V in the 18th century. The frescoes reveal Goya's boldness of artistic style and revolutionary painting techniques. Address: 52 Calle de Santa Isabel, Madrid, Official site: http://www.museoreinasofia.es/en, Fuente de Cibeles (Cybele's Fountain) in front of the Palacio de Cibeles. All these accommodations below have Tripadvisors Certificate of Excellence. Spanish paintings from the 12th century to the early 19th century form the majority of the collection. This charming museum is dedicated to the work of Joaqun Sorolla y Bastida, the most famous Spanish Impressionist painter. Its the largest flea market in Madrid and gets pretty hectic, so its always a good idea to show up early. After that you could wander up to the 400-year-old bronze statue of King Philip III, who was in power at the height of the Spanish empire. Magnificent paintings adorn the chapels of the basilica, including masterpieces by the Spanish Old Masters. Not to be missed is a visit to Parque Juan Carlos I. The best of these Iberian treasures and sculptures look almost new, despite being at least 2,500 years-old. You can see the only string quartet of Stradivarius instruments in the world, and the Royal Armoury that includes the personal weapons used by Charles V in the 16th Century. When we went, the view was ruined by scaffolding and a giant advertisement, but I did enjoy the vibe of the rooftop bar. Tours also give fans a chance to enjoy the view of the field from the top of the stadium. Official site: http://www.flg.es/your-visit-to-the-museo-lazaro-galdiano. The expansive cobblestone square is a pedestrian area, surrounded by outdoor cafs and atmospheric restaurants shaded by its arcades. It was built in 1917 and one of the citys most beautiful buildings. The area around the Puerta del Sol is packed with restaurants and shops. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. Spain is represented by Velzquez and El Greco, the low countries by Rembrandt, Brueghel, van Dyck and Rubens, while Titian, Caravaggio, Botticelli and Tintoretto form the Italian contingent. All public parks and gardens shut down between 11pm and 6am. Prado Museum is home to over 9,000 pieces of art and is renowned as the worlds largest art gallery. In its thorough representation of Spanish modern and contemporary art, the collection includes remarkable masterpieces such as works by Joan Mir, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dal, and Alexander Calder.
You will find a semi-circle marking on the ground that marks km0, which is the location from where distances are traditionally measured. Of the many must-see works are Boschs Garden of Earthly Delights and David with Head of Goliath by Caravaggio. Visitor amenities include a bookstore, gift shop, and audioguides. All opinions are always our own. With nearly 1,000 paintings on display, the collection covers medieval religious art, Renaissance-era portraits and biblical themes, the Baroque period, Rococo, Romanticism, Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, modern art, and Pop Art. Join over 400,000 readers! If youre visiting with little ones, paddling on the Grand Pond next to the monument of Alfonso XII is a fun option on a sunny afternoon. We tried it at one at a recommended spot called El Brillante right outside the Museo Reina Sofia, but Plaza Mayor is also a popular area to get them. The church was designed by Francisco Cabezas, who modeled the Neoclassical architectural plan on the Church of Santa Maria in Campitelli in Rome. That means there are plenty of options for cuisine, including Chinese, Moroccan, Thai, Indian Senegalese, Greek, and Cuban. Exhibits feature archaeological finds, ethnography, decorative arts from antiquity, and ancient coins. The square also served as a venue for bullfights, dramatic performances, and knightly tournaments. Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. Its the largest royal palace in western Europe, and has a blend of baroque and neoclassical styles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you cant make it to San Gins there are loads of stalls on the streets in the cooler months of the year. Certain exhibits do not allow any photography. If youre going just for the view, we personally think the Gourmet Experience has a better view of the city, and this one is not worth the price.
The pic you have at the top is not from Madrid, is actually Seville. Lifelike statues depict the Roman Goddess Cybele riding a lion-drawn chariot. Im hoping I will get to go to Madrid in the near future and I will definitely be referring back to this!! The Lzaro Galdiano Museum displays the exceptional private collection of 19th-century financier Lzaro Galdiano, housed in the mansion of Parque Florido, where he resided. Created for the Count-Duke of Olivares in the 17th century, the historic park has an elegant ambience with its variety of gardens and tree-lined paths. There are works by Goya, Caravaggio and Velzquez, as well as stunning displays of watches, tapestries, porcelain and silverware. From here, paths lead to the enchanting La Rosaleda (Rose Garden), the formal French Jardn de Don Cecilio, and the Andalusian-style Jardines de Cecilio Rodrguez. This elegant 17th-century plaza was built during the reign of Philip III and used as a center of commerce and municipal life, as well as the scene of ceremonial events such as the proclamation of a new king and the canonization of saints. Address: Parque de la Montaa, Calle de Ferraz, Madrid. Thanks for the recommendations, Cassie. Address: Plaza de la Independencia, Madrid, National Museum of Romanticism | Enrique Palacio Sans / Shutterstock.com. Step foot in more than 100 years of Real Madrid history at this legendary stadium. Youll also find a statue of The Bear and the Strawberry Tree which is the symbol for Madrid. Its full of tapas bars so you can hop from one place to the next. The balustrade features statues of Spanish kings. It is the 2nd largest Metro in Europe (after Paris) and costs anywhere from 1-3 euros per ticket. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in NYC. More: 25 Amazing Markets in the World to Put on Your Bucket List.
Although Seville has a more iconic Bull Ring, if youre not making it to Seville, you can check out the Las Ventas Bullring in Madrid. Another cultural attraction nearby is the Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporneo), located at 9 Calledel Conde Duque. This lush and beautifully manicured park offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Copyright 2022 PlanetWare Inc. All rights reserved. Sign upto getaccess to our library of resources, travel photography tips, exclusive giveaways, and inspiration to be a Local Adventurer.