Travel bucket list idea:
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
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Photo Museo Nacional del Prado
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.
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
A world-renowned annual contemporary art fair featuring painting, sculpture, photography, and digital art from both national and international galleries and artists. It takes place over four days in February, in the majestic setting of the Palacio de Cibeles.
Adult price: £13
Best for ages 18+
Duration: 5 days
When: February 23-27
Frequency: annually
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.
Adult price: £2
Best for ages 18+
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.
Adult price: £4
Best for ages 18+
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
Goya devotees should see his work at its most delightful in this chapel (now a museum), that’s also the artist’s final resting place.
Best for ages 18+
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.
Adult price: £6
Best for ages 18+
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
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Madrid’s most renowned museum, home to the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.
Adult price: £13
Best for ages 18+
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
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Spain’s National Museum of 20th-century art is the third of Madrid’s world-class art museums. Reina most famously contains Picasso’s Guernica, and outstanding collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
Adult price: £8
Best for ages 18+
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
One of the most prestigious art schools in Spain, founded in 1744. It houses a superb collection of Goya paintings, plus others by Arcimboldo, Velazquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, El Greco, Murillo and Zurbaran. Look out for some excellent temporary exhibitions.
Adult price: £7
Best for ages 18+
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
The Madrid home of early 20th-century artist Joaquin Sorolla, known as ‘the master of light’, is now filled with his neo-Impressionist works.
Best for ages 18+
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
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One of the world’s greatest art museums, home to an outstanding collection of art, from 13th-century Italian Gothic paintings to 20th-century Pop Art.
Adult price: £10
Best for ages 18+
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Madrid
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Madrid
Price: €65
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Madrid Region, Spain
Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.
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Multiple countries
The top cities and regions for world-class art museums and cutting-edge galleries. A feast for art lovers, and home to the masterpieces everyone should see.
