Another visit that was high on the list of things to do in Madrid…read more I bought passes that came with an English guide. I enjoyed having that, but you could easily come through on your own without a guide and be fine. Our guided tour was about 90 minutes, but you could also stay as long after as you desired. We ended up staying about another hour to catch some of the things the tour didn't stop at. Note that you cannot take photos inside. It also seems to get pretty busy early, so it might be a good idea to go fairly early or closer to closing. Would highly recommend the Prado.

We checked into our hotel kind of late and already had 5:30 PM reservation tickets for Museo del…read morePrado that we bought about a month in advance. It was close to our hotel but not close enough to make it there on time since we were literally just leaving the hotel at 5:30 PM. The hotel attendant immediately suggested taking a cab because we were already running behind. When we arrived, I swear the line looked a mile long! Thankfully my bf asked one of the attendants before we jumped in line because apparently all those people were waiting for the free admission window. We found out that they offer daily late-entry free admission Monday-Saturday from 6 PM-8 PM. Since we already had tickets, they scanned us right in and there was basically no wait. Huge tip: if you purchased tickets in advance, do NOT automatically follow the giant line! Walk directly toward the front and ask an attendant where ticket holders should enter. It will save you so much time! Lol. I mainly wanted to come here for the Francisco Goya artwork. The museum definitely feels very old world European and is heavily centered around royalty, religion, and classical art. After a while it can start to feel emotionally heavy even for a Catholic like me. If you really enjoy soaking in the artwork and taking your time, I'd recommend visiting earlier in the day so you don't feel rushed trying to see everything. My one complaint is that the directions to the toilets/restrooms were not very clear. We spent a while walking around trying to find one before eventually giving up and leaving since we were already exhausted and super jet lagged. Thankfully our hotel was only about a 20-minute walk away. It was still a great experience and definitely something I'd recommend if you're visiting Madrid. P.S. Photos are not allowed inside, so don't expect to be taking pictures of the artwork while visiting.

The last time Jamie W and I vacationed in Madrid over 15 years ago, we made the big mistake of…read moretrying to squeeze this museum and the Prado into the same afternoon. We had to race through the Reina Sofia without allowing the requisite time to appreciate the masterworks constantly hidden by the crowds. We didn't make the same mistake last week and decided to focus a full afternoon here. There was no avoiding the long line that snaked around the plaza even though we bought the 32,8€ Paseo del Arte passes which covers all three of Madrid's essential museums. We still had to redeem our passes to get our museum tickets. It only took about 25 minutes before we made the beeline to the museum's spotlight masterwork, Picasso's "Guernica" on the second floor. Viewing was packed and unmovable, but it's still the definitive visualization of the horrors of war made striking by the monochromatic palette (Video 1). The building was once an 18th-century hospital before it became an art museum as recently as 1988. It houses Spain's most significant collection of 20th-century art. Along with Picasso, other contemporary masters are also on display here. Artists represented include Salvador Dali (Photos 3 & 5), Joan Miro (Photo 2), and Rene Magritte (Photo 7). Up on the third floor is even more contemporary art dating back only to 1975 including works by Andy Warhol (Photo 6) and Robert Mapplethorpe (Photo 4). This was our favorite of Madrid's Golden Triangle which includes the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. Definitely take your time perusing. RELATED - Exploring Madrid? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/qwUK6nAE-z

I was very excited for my visit here as I wanted to see a Picasso piece in person, as well as take…read morein some more modern contemporary art. They had great pieces and I enjoyed my time. The staff were friendly and helpful with my questions and the museum was clean. I was disappointed to find that both the garden and third floor were closed the day I visited, so I felt like I missed out on some things.

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.

Located inside el Parque del Retiro, this 19th-century conservatory means more to us than the art…read moreexhibit it is currently used for. Though it was closed for renovation when we were there in April 2024, it is OUR special place where we exchanged our first set of rings with intentionality. If in Madrid, come for the nature walk and live music, the beautiful and lush ambience, and the fountain backdrop.

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.

One of the golden triangle of Madrid art museums, you need three to four hours for this one. The…read morebest order, if possible, is the Prado the first day (which takes all day) because one can learn so much from the very detailed descriptions there that will help frame the order the art here is arranged in. The collection spans from a couple of pieces from the 13th century to contemporary, with especially good collections of Spanish medieval, Dutch masters, French impressionist, expressionist, cubist, modernism, post abstract realism, and 20th century sculpture. Although we bought tickets for all three when we went to the Prado, we found ourselves in line before Noon on free day Monday. The line was daunting it was so long, but once they opened we were in within about 20 minutes. The crowd wasn't as stifling as in the Prado, but worse than the Sofia, but you just don't want to miss this amazing art musuem just because it's too popular. Lots of sick people cough and sneezing, I would mask up.

This is a highly underrated museum that many people pass up. I get it, the Prado is amazing and it…read moreshould be visited. However, this museum, which is a private collection, should be on your Madrid itinerary. This museum contains a ton of art by well-known and not so well-known artist laid out in a very fluent manner. From 15th century realism to 20th century post-impressionism and everything in between, this museum contains beautiful pieces from Monet, Van Gough, John Sargent, Picasso, and many more. Additionally, it houses a rather large collection of assorted sculptures. The best part of all, you can take as many pictures as you want (unlike the Prado) just no flash. There's a large gift shop at the entrance of the museum and bathrooms downstairs under the gift shop. Be sure to visit...the gift shop that is, unless you need the bathroom then do that too. I recommend booking a tour to get the most out of your trip and money. Our tour guide, Luis, from "Fun and Tickets" booked through the "Get Your Guide" app was incredibly informative and insightful. There's no way we would have seen what we saw and experienced what we did without him. Overall, this is a great museum that needs more people to experience its wonder. Enjoy!

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.