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.

This is the main Spanish national art museum focusing on 12th to the early 20th century art pieces…read more It makes up the main piece of the golden triangle of art in Madrid. It is a massively large museum housing almost 40,000 peices of art, not limited to paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and decorative art pieces. Buy your tickets online so you don't have to stand in the queue for hours to buy your ticket, just to stand in line to get into the museum. If your into this stuff great. There is so much to see. A website describes it as "an exhaustive" amount of things to see. And I definitely agree with that assessment. There is just so much to see. They provide you with a map at the entrance, but it lacks so much detail that its basically useless. Yea the portrait paintings and the sculptures are all amazing. The intricate details that went into each work of art. But theres just so much to see that its overwhelming. Also theres so many people here, that your basically bumping people and going around people to get a better view of the art. They only allow you to take pictures in certain areas. And when they say certain areas, its basically a small portion of the museum. So many rooms had strict no photography rules. And the people working there are very strict about not taking photos. According to google searches it says taking selfies with certain famous artwork can create bottlenecks. But no photographs at all? So you want me to stand there and really take it in with my eyes and memorize it and enjoy it, instead of clicking a picture and moving on, so as to enjoy it later. Doesn't really make sense. After 2 hours here it became not enjoyable anymore. And we spent a good 30 min going up and down stairs and asking people there how to get the heck out of there. It was a slog. If there were zombies chasing us in here we would definitely die. Every room we entered trying to get out was a completely new room. Took us forever to get back to the main area with the gift shop. Its just way too much. Oh and dont even get me started on the gift shop. Everything is priced so exorbitant. 34 pounds for a bag? Really? I just walked out. Evidently the last 2 hours before closing is free? The line to get in must have been in the hundreds and basically stretched forever. Its just crazy. Call me uncultured. Call me a barbarian. But I did not enjoy myself here at all. I learned several things by being here. That im not coming back to this museum again. That people back then liked portraying men with micro penises. And that all the kings and queens back in the day were basically all related to each other in one way or another. Glad to say I've been here. But thats about it. Oh and it was super hot and stuffy in here. Like turn the ac on!!!

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

3rd of the major 3 museums in Madrid. I really dont know why on Sundays they close at 2pm, when…read moreall the other ones have normal business hours. But just be aware on Sundays they close at 2. Its a smaller (then Thyssen or Prado) museum, which Im grateful for. Seeing all 3 in 3 days made me all museum'd out. On the first floor they have some really "abstract" peices of art that I just didnt get. Like a mound of candy I a corner of the room. Or a string of vertical lights. Or a stack of basically printer paper. Didnt make any sense to me. Culminates with basically 2 mirrors side by side. So I guess art is basically anything you say it is? Who knows. I think i could've put a shirt with a pasta stain on it and say it was art, and have hundreds if not thousands of people looking at it. I dont get it. 2nd floor had some real art. Like Picasso's post war depiction of the town of Guernica. A massive painting, highlighting the horrors of war. As well as other works by Dali and Miro. The part I enjoyed the most about this museum was the outside area where you can sit in nature, quietly, away from the crowds. I was basically all museum'd out so we spent the least amount of time here. The map here again proves to be useless. Im usually pretty good at reading them but it was useless here. But sitting outside I noticed that its basically just a big square with the outside courtyard in the middle, so not too complicated. Glad to hit the golden triangle of art. To be able to say I've been there. Some great stuff. But not my thing. And probably wouldn't do it again, in that there are so many other things to be seen and experienced in Madrid

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.

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

2nd of the major 3 museums in Madrid. This one is much smaller then the Prado. And much more…read moreinteresting (in my personal opinion). Evidently its known as the bridge museum, bridging the old in the Prado with the new in the Reina Sophia museum. There's works here by Vincent Van Gogh, Monet and Pablo Picasso as well as many other well known and lesser known artists. I feel that I enjoyed the art here more as there were drawings of nature, flowers, scenery and other things besides just portraits and nudes. More up my alley and my liking. Not only is it more interesting and smaller. But theres also a lot less people here as well. Thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the Thyssen Bornemisza museum!!

This is a smaller museum, but it's got a good amount of exhibits to check out. It's well organized…read moreand offers multiple floors and rooms to explore. As far as natural history museums go, it's got everything you'd expect. You'll be able to see exhibits of mammals, birds, amphibians . . . you know, all things natural. I enjoyed walking around, and recommend checking it out if you have an hour or so to spare in Madrid. Also, they offer free admission for teachers.

25 Euros for two adults and one child - some but not all exhibits are in English. Tickets are…read moreconfusing - multiple unconnected buildings - go to the Evolution building to start. Many stuffed insects and animals. We saw the whole museum in 60 minutes.

Don't overlook this small but high quality collection. After being overwhelmed by the golden…read moretriangle of Madrid art museums, this museum is much more comfortable and will only take an hour or two. It's lovely building in a good neighborhood for eating, and cafes. Try En Paella 5 minutes walking distance.

A hidden gem of a museum in Madrid. Beautiful gardens and loved getting to walk through the house…read morekept with some of its original furniture. Learning about the artist and artwork was enriching. Not very crowded either and at a great price (€3 for 1 adult)

If you've been to Madrid a few times already you may be interested in checking out this lesser…read moreknown museum. While it may not have the abundance of show stopping masterpieces of the Prado, Reina Sofia or Thyssen, it like the latter is a former private collection which is fascinating of itself as you marvel at how one person chose/accumulated all these works. Unlike the Thyssen, there is a lot here besides paintings, including textiles, pottery, ceramics, bronzes, silverware... The information about Galdiano's life is also impressive - how did he find time to buy ALL that art as well as founding a publishing house, being a banker, journalist etc etc. I popped in for about two hours on a Friday from around 1.15pm and the museum was basically deserted so it was very cool to have the place to myself (plus the docents awkwardly checking that I wasn't breaking or stealing anything). Admission is only 6 euros so do check it out and then walk back down high fashion the Calle de Serrano afterwards!

Jose Lazaro Galdiano was a publishing millionaire who left his private art collection to the…read moreSpanish state in 1942. His palatial home has been converted into a wonderful museum. Many of the rooms have richly decorated ceilings. The collection is vast but the museum retains a small intimate atmosphere. There are collections of jewelery, armour, items from ancient Greece and Rome, porcelain, coins, furniture, textiles and, of course, wonderful paintings. Goya, el Greco, Bosch and Constable amongst them. Most of the rooms also had handy information sheets in various languages, including English. Well worth a visit!

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!

I am not Catholic but I can appreciate a beautiful church when I see one. I've seen a good number…read moreof them and this one is lovely. Administrated by the priests of Opus Dei who you may have heard of from The Da Vinci Code book and movie. Not that there are any clues here to an adventure or anything like that. It's a church, not a Hollywood movie set. Construction began in 1739 and completed in 1745. It is in the Baroque style. Today it serves as a minor basilica. Inside, and please be respectful, it is lovely. Art and scenery that show the power of the Catholic Church. Well worth a visit. [Review 12526 overall, 2316 of 2019.]

I was just wandering around this area, and somehow I found this church, the building looked quite…read morecool, so i decided to go in and took a look. This basilica church isn't so big, But it really got the wow moment. I like the style inside as well, it reminds me some similar churches back in Germany. Well, they are the same style after all. I did saw this two huge figures lying there with flowers and other stuff, not sure how I should call it in the correct way. I asked my partner and he told me it is a tradition of procession, they will carry them around the city, during the week before Easter. We were there near Easter. I think I already saw procession celemory the other day near the Palacio Real. But these two looked even more fancy. I found the painting on the roof quite nice. The church is not so well knowing but sure it is worth to visit. And no admission fee.