It's free It's beautiful…read more It's not crowded. The Crystal Palace is close currently but you can check it out. People are just hanging around and just take pictures. There's places you can sit down eat or just grab a drink.

Retiro Park is like the Central Park of Madrid. This gigantic park has it all. Large grassy areas…read morefor a picnic or long pathways to run or walk. A big lake in the center to rent a row boat and ride around or a crystal palace to swoon over. Retiro is big and it can be hard to see everything on foot. There are lots of available rental bikes to make your trip throughout the park even easier.

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.

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.

Who doesn't like a walk in a garden? Smartly squeezed between the Prado and Parque del Retiro,…read moreMadrid's Royal Botanical Garden is actually a large parcel of greenery, about twenty acres. Founded in 1755 and spread across seven discrete sections, the garden showcases over 5,500 living plant species, and fortunately, May was a good time to visit. Spring floral displays were just beginning, in particular, roses and irises (Photo 9), and two greenhouses contain more rarefied tropical and desert plants. For the more botanically inclined, there are organized scientific displays, aromatic medicinal herb sections, and English-style landscapes populated with towering, ancient trees. For the rest of us, there are quiet walkways and fountains that allow a more meditative pace. One particular path was set up for the specific display of bonsai trees (Photo 2). Admission is normally 4€ - though we inadvertently hit the garden during a free access period on a Tuesday. Yep, it was kinda crowded but still worthwhile. RELATED - Exploring Madrid? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/9IYyItExqL

It was closed during regular opening hours! We wanted to see it on our last night in Spain. But it…read morewas already closed at 2020 on 14 August. Several Madrilenos were also surprised that you were closed. If you close early, put a sign on the gate.

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.

€3 is a good deal for this museum but the collection here is quite limited, and €3 gets you an…read moreoutstanding experience at the National Archeological Museum north of El Retiro Park so go there instead. This museum is still worth a visit but it much lower on your list. Do the other bigger museums first.

It is wonderful place .. I felt very comfortable .. with attention .. thank you very much miy…read morerrcomendable

We came free for our Christmas Eve dinner and everything was perfect! Service as spectacular! It's…read moremore of a tapas style menu. A tapas style prix fix menu. Can't wait to come back!

Went to Toni 2 on our last night in Madrid. Got there around 935pm and there was already a queue…read more Toni 2 opens at be 10pm and has be a capacity of 120 people. If you don't get in in the first round, it may be midnight before you can get in. So that's the best tip for you. cover charge is 15 eur for the first drink. If you can find and know the be lyrics, get there and be the be first 50 people and maybe maybe be you get a place next to the piano. Very fun environment. Know your lyrics to sing along, otherwise hang back and be enjoy in people hanging a great be time at be Toni 2. Great vibes.

Super fun Karaoke bar, great ambiance and drinks! Fun place for groups to have a night out!read more