Museo Nacional Del Prado
First and foremost is the massive Prado – one of the world’s best art galleries – where you can see masterpieces by Goya and Valázquez plus The Three Graces by Rubens to name a few.
Open: 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday, 10am-7pm Sundays & Holidays
Closed: January 1st, May 1st, December 25th
Reduced opening hours: 10am-2pm January 6th, December 24th, December 31st
Tickets: €14 General admission, €23 General admission and official guide
Museo Nacional Centro De Arte Reina Sofia
Not to be overlooked is the jaw-dropping Centro de Arte Reina Sofía where Picasso’s epic Guernica is on display, as are modernist gems by Miro, Kandinsky, and Dali as well as others.
Open: 10am-9pm Monday to Saturday excluding Tuesdays, check times on Sundays
Closed: Tuesdays and holidays
Tickets: €8 General admission, €4 Temporary Exhibitions
Parque del Retiro Venues
Open: 10am-10pm seven days a week April to September, 10am-6pm seven days a week October to March
Closed: Holidays
Tickets: Free
Royal Palace of Madrid
The capital’s most magnificent building is arguably the Royal Palace of Madrid. Stretching over 135,000 square metres it’s Europe’s largest functioning palace and is flanked by the lush, perfectly groomed Sabatini Gardens. The king doesn’t actually live here, so you can explore the building and grounds, packed with the stalls of local craftmakers.
Open: 10am-6pm seven days a week October to March, 10am-8pm seven days a week April to September
Tickets: €10 General admission
Campo Del Moro Park
Open: 10am-6pm seven days a week October to March, 10am-8pm seven days a week April to September
Tickets: Free
Madrid boasts some of Spain’s most picturesque squares too, including the simply gorgeous Plaza de Santa Ana – perfect for a tapas and a drink in the mid afternoon. Talking of which, be sure to check out Calle Huertas, the capital’s most famous road for tapas and wine bars.
