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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 13 January, 2023
Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

This vibrant city was the epicentre of Spain’s 16th- and 17th-century ‘Golden Age’, when the kings and clergy patronised artists such as Velazquez, Murillo, Zurbaran and El Greco, and couldn’t purchase enough paintings by Titian, Hieronymus Bosch, Rubens and others.

Then, in the 19th century, came Picasso and Goya; the latter’s portraits of the Spanish royal family, Madrid’s citizens, its fiestas and demons are seared into the city’s soul.

The result was an unrivalled hoard of artistic treasure that you can see in the ‘Triangle of Art’ – the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia museums. These three are home to scores of masterpieces and each rank among the world’s greatest art museums. The Reina Sofia is home to arguably the most famous painting of the 20th century, Picasso’s Guernica.

If you have time for more, the Real Academia de Bellas Artes, the Lazaro Galdiano Museum and the Ermita de San Antonio de la Florida won’t disappoint – in any other city, they’d be top attractions.

Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Aerial view down onto a large exhibition room filled with art stalls and lots of people wandering between them
Experience

Art Madrid

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Madrid’s world-renowned contemporary art fair takes place for four days in February, in the majestic setting of the Palacio de Cibeles.

Best for ages: 13+ | £13 | 5 days

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exterior facade - a plain house with wooden front door
Experience

Cerralbo Museum

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

The Marques de Cerralbo’s horde of artworks and curio includes El Greco’s Ecstasy of St Francis and fantastic Japanese armour.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Exterior view of the facade
Experience

Convent of the Descalzas Reales

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

This royal convent was founded by the daughter of Emperor Charles V in 1559 – it’s now packed full of Golden Age art, priceless masterpieces and valuable religious relics, all paid for by the dowries of former nuns accumulated over the centuries.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4

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Exterior view of the red brick building
Experience

Lazaro Galdiano Museum

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

A fantastic private collection of over 12,000 ceramics, jewellery, small bonzes, coins, carvings, manuscripts and other fascinating artefacts from the nineteenth century back to the prehistoric period. It’s housed in a historic Madrid, with original baroque painted ceilings.

Best for ages: 18+ | £6

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Skip the line: Prado Museum with Reina Sofia Museum Guided Tour

Skip the line: Prado Museum with Reina Sofia Museum Guided Tour

Madrid

Hit the Prado Museum as the first visitors when the doors open to the public on this 4-hour Madrid tour. This experience offers access to th...

€63 | Rating 4.05 / 5 [226 ratings]

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Hidden Art Galleries and Artist's Studio in Madrid

Hidden Art Galleries and Artist's Studio in Madrid

Madrid

Join a local Spanish artist to discover some of the coolest hidden contemporary art galleries in one of Madrid’s most artistic neighborhoods...

$68 | Rating 4.97 / 5 [35 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Skip-the-Line Madrid Guided Tour: The best of Prado, Reina Sofia & Thyssen

Skip-the-Line Madrid Guided Tour: The best of Prado, Reina Sofia & Thyssen

Madrid

Discover on a half day tour the Art Walk in Madrid! Enjoy preferential access to Madrid’s three great pictorial museums; Prado Museum, the T...

€87 | Rating 4.77 / 5 [9 ratings]

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

Mayerling Hotel

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Four-star fixtures at two-star prices – a budget but stylish boutique hotel in the heart of Madrid.

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Gran Hotel Ingles

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

This swanky, pampering Art Deco hotel in the heart of Old Madrid has a rich history and design to die for.

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Hostal Gala

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

A great budget choice – this modern-day hostel housed in an elegant, 19th-century building has chic rooms and the perfect central location.

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ME Madrid Reina Victoria

Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain

Uber-glam design hotel with fantastic service and fashionable roof terrace bar in the buzzing Santa Ana neighbourhood of Madrid.

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Madrid

Madrid Region, Spain

Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.

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Round-ups that include this experience