Great museum, can bring water in, no photos allowed, confusing directions to taxi stand…read more The most popular painting by far was the Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch. The only painting that was hard to see due to the crowds! Consider bringing small handheld binoculars or field glasses to better see the Bosch and for some large paintings. People drank from their water bottles in the hallways. Appreciated that we could stand within about a meter (three feet) of each painting and sculpture! We felt that the people of Spain trusted us with their heritage. People behaved well and returned the trust. There is a lesson there.

Visiting the Prado Museum was an unforgettable, experience for my husband and me. Being able to…read morestand directly in front of iconic artwork I'd previously only studied in books and classes was incredible--real moments that made the trip feel special. Seeing pieces by Botticelli, Goya, Picasso, and so many other legendary artists up close was nothing short of awe-inspiring. It has given me a different perspective of art that I will certainly carry. That said, a few logistical hiccups kept it from being a full five-star visit: * Unmanageable Crowds: Navigating the space near the most famous masterpieces was a challenge. Swarms of people constantly gathered around key artworks, making it nearly impossible to pause, linger, or quietly ponder the detail in a meaningful way. * The No-Photo Battle: The docents/security guards were endlessly trying to enforce the no-picture rule, but honestly, it felt like a fool's errand. Visitors were taking photos at every turn anyway, creating a weirdly tense, cat-and-mouse dynamic throughout the galleries. We still purchased a few of the lovely art books they were offering, but I still snapped a picture every now and again. * Sheer Scale: The museum is absolutely enormous! Because there is so much ground to cover, it almost becomes overwhelming, and it's tough to fully absorb and appreciate the depth of the collection without feeling sensory overload. What saved the day for us: We opted for the audio earphone guides, which I highly recommend. They provided fantastic context and structure to help us navigate the massive layout and truly appreciate what we were seeing. The rest areas were much needed, and the bathrooms were spotlessly maintained. To wrap up our visit, we spent time in the gift shop, which was exceptional! They have thoughtful keepsakes and high-quality items at every price point, making it easy to find the perfect souvenir to mark our trip. We also grabbed a late lunch at the cafe, which was nice too. Overall, despite the chaotic crowds and strict enforcement attempts, the sheer beauty and significance of the collection make the Prado an absolute must-see when in Madrid.

We enjoyed our visit! Good to be able to take photos. Favorites: an exhibition of Spanish…read moreRepublican posters, a large Felix Gonzalez-Torres exhibit with unlimited candy (!) and a serious theme of HIV, and an exhibition of woven fabrics and textiles by Aurèlia Muñoz. Their most famous painting is Guernica but I personally did not find it that moving. We enjoyed the photos of sketches showing how Guernica evolved while it was being painted

If you're into 20th century art, pop by this famous art museum. Near many other sites in Madrid,…read morethis museum is big. It's 3-4 floors of exhibits with art from some famous artists like Picasso. On a Friday afternoon in September, I walked in, paid 12 Euros, and explored for 1.5 hours. The museum is easy to navigate with signs everywhere, elevators and stairs taking you up and down. Don't miss the courtyard in the middle. There are benches and more art there.

Of the three museums that make up Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art, this is the one people tend to…read moreforget. Indeed this was the third big museum Jamie W and I visited since we didn't have enough time until our 4th day in Madrid. The museum's unpronounceable name doesn't help much. It also houses a broad collection of art that isn't as easy to categorize as the Prado (classical Spanish masters) and the Reina Sofía (contemporary 20th-century art). The museum spans eight centuries of Western art across four floors from 13th-century medieval works on the top floor to 20th-century pop art at the bottom. Richard Estes' Telephone Booths (Photo 8) and Charles Bell's Thunder Smash (Photo 9) are personal favorites of mine. In between are works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, as well as Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, German Expressionism, and Early Avant-Garde movements. The most familiar paintings are on the middle and main floors where works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, Degas, Manet and Hopper are spotlighted. Unlike the other two museums, this one started as a private collection amassed by two generations of one wealthy Hungarian-German family, which explains why it covers multiple genres not covered by the other two. Admission is 14€ or alternatively 32,8€ for the entire Golden Triangle of Art. RELATED - Exploring Madrid? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/P0_zGgWaQT

After visiting the Guernica museum (Reina Sofia), I made my way to Thyssen and thoroughly enjoyed…read moremyself. They cost roughly the same for entry but, I don't know, I felt like Thyssen was more my vibe. Super chill, a beautiful building filled with beautiful things. O'Keefe, Toulouse, Lichtenstein, Rothko - our friends are all here. Of the three museums in this literary Huertas 'hood, I highly recommend time at the Thyssen.

The palace is absolutely beautiful, but it's currently fully under construction. You aren't able to…read moreenter and there's a lot of scaffolding blocking the beautiful views of the large glass windows.

I walked here from the Museo Nacional del Prado on nice warm summer day. While it was a nice…read morestroll, it was long and it got hot! So, upon arrival to this crystal palace, we were already hot and when entering, it was even hotter! To be honest, was it worth the long walk? Probably not, but if your sole activity of the day is to just explore El Retiro Park, then definitely make your way here to enjoy it's beauty.

I love history and museums. However, I am not a huge fan of prehistory. I can't get fully onboard…read morewith the objectivity of such subjective items. Nevertheless, this was a good experience and our tour guide made it even better. The museum is packed with objects, most of which are authentic and not replicas. There are even some objects that are on display that are known fakes. There story behind them and how the museum acquired such objects is interesting. The best part was the digital display that overlays a topographical map of the Iberian peninsula. It tells the story of the Iberian migration of peoples over the centuries. Overall, not a bad museum, kind of boring in some areas but still a good experience.

One of the finest archeology museums anywhere. Every artificact here is from the Iberian…read morepenninsula or excavated by Spanish Archeologists. Good explanations from either physical or cultural anthropology, very up to date information on the evolution of humans. The descriptions and explanations are truly excellent. If you start downstairs you can work your way up in time from milliions of years ago to early modernity. Check for free concerts and lectures, I saw an interesting and talented saxophone quartet in the evening.

I wouldn't call this museum a must see, but it is an excellent history museum with some fabulous…read moreart. The history of Madrid is largely told by art, but also maps, sketches models, artifacts, and eventually at the top, photographs. The history ends at industrialization, maybe because that's all they had room for. The grounds and entrance are picturesque. We went on a free day, but it's worth the regular admission. One to two hours, you could easily visit here and the nearby Romantic Museum in an afternoon. A good choice for after the three days of the Golden Triangle of big Madrid art museums. The neighborhood has lots of cafes, pastry shops, affordable dining, bookstores, and Michalin star restaurants so maybe make an afternoon and evening of the Chambri area. If you are staying nearby I think this is a must see stop. Very close to Hotel Sardinero and the Tribunal Metro stop.

Inside the 17th century building of an old orphanage, the Madrid History Museum is free for all…read more Walk inside and staff will direct you where to start. Over the course of three floors, the permanent collection gives a good history of the city of Madrid from the 16th century on. One fascinating exhibit is the map of Madrid from the 1500s on and how it grew from a small villa to a large capital. There are clean restrooms, places to sit, and a good gift shop.

This is one of the coolest museums I've ever been in. You're transported back in time, and I am…read moreobsessed with all the clocks, settees, and poufs all over. The colors. The colors!!!!!! I need an emerald green couch now STAT. I'm obsessed. There's no other word for it. My colleague told me to go here and I'm soooo glad she did or I'd have missed out on seeing all this amazing furniture. You think you're on a Bridgerton set, I swear. It's a smaller museum and takes about an hour, if was only a 3€ admission too, and it's so so so worth it! Go go go go go!

Pleasant little museum worth an hour visit in a historic restored house on beautiful grounds…read more Paintings and artifats from late Rennaisance to Victorian Age, its focus is on the Romantic Period, hence the name. It's much easier than the Golden Triangle of Madrid art museums, so it's good on an afternoon jaunt into the Chambri area where you'll find the Madrid history museum right nearby, the Mercado Barcelo and other shops, cafes, restaurants so you can make a whole afternoon of it. Not too from here are the Sorollo museum, the Real Madrid stadium, and a few (!) Michelin star restaurants. This museum is right off the Tribunal metro stop. If you're staying nearby, like at Hotel Saldinero, well then you really should stop by and take a gander. Don't miss the big doll house with the tiny dancer holograms.

The view here is amazing. We had awesome food and drinks but being able to really take in the city…read morewas one of the best parts! Liked - Liked - Liked - Liked - Liked - Liked - Liked - Gambas French toast Cocktail

Though I'm not a native Spaniard, I studied abroad here and visited too- this is one of the best…read morerooftop views in the city! Unless you make a dinner reservation (only way to get food too), tickets are 5 euro to enter the bar and you might wait around 10 min in line to enter. While cocktails are expensive by European standards at 10 euro, tinto de verano (a classic) isn't terrible at 5 euro. Even without drinks, definitely worth it just for the view! Sunsets are amazing. On a chilly evening, they have heaters over some of the lounge chairs. I'd highly recommend to get a great view of the city!

This is a landmark in central Madrid. It is an actual Egyptian temple that was moved to Spain when…read moreflooding from building the Aswan Dam was going to destroy many archaeological sites. It is surrounded by a beautiful park, easily accessible by public transportation.

Sunset at Temple De Bod is a daily celebration of life. As the sun's last rays cast down on the…read morecity, throngs of people do a pilgrimage to view the splendor.

Nice design museum…read more Small so very quick visit. Free so right price for a cool museum