Madrid is a city full of wonderful places to visit. Madridisuserfriendly has selected those we consider a MUST!
MUSEO DEL PRADO
It goes without saying, the Prado is the one of the best reasons to visit Madrid! One of the great art museums of the world, the Prado is Madrid’s biggest attraction. The incomparable collection contains more than 8.000 paintings of Goya, El Greco, Velázquez and other masterpieces. Weekends are always crowded. After 6 PM, it is free of charge. book here tickets prado museum
Open: 9:00 to 20:00: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays. 9:00 to 14:00: 24 December, 31 December and 6 January.
Closed: Mondays (including Mondays which are public holidays), 25 December, 1 January, Good Friday and 1 May.
on at the moment:
New Exhibition 19th century English paintings
Until 31 may
The exhibition comprises 17 works in total, of which 10 are paintings and 6 are drawings and a watercolour. It will allow the public to become acquainted with both 19th-century English painting and with highlights of the museum founded in Ponce. The exhibition also includes paintings by artists such as John Everett Millais (1829-1896), Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882), Thomas Seddon (1821-1856) and William Holman Hunt (1827-1910). They were painted during the various different phases of the movement known as the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which was founded in 1848 with the initial aim of reforming English painting, at that date governed by the conservative strictures of the Royal Academy.
Madridisuserfriendly advice:go several times for an hour or so….
Near the museum: Hotel Ritz, Hotel Palace, La Dolores bar (recommended to enjoy the Spanish tapas, not bad price wise).
MUSEO NACIONAL REINA SOFIA
Spain’s national museum of modern art and home of Picasso’s Guernica. Even on its busiest days, the light and airy space is a delight. Try its views from exterior elevators. Calle Santa Isabel, 52.
Open: Monday to Saturday: from 10:00 to 21:00; Sunday: 10:00 to 14:30.
Closed: Tuesdays; Jan. 1 and 6, May 1 and 15, Sept. 9, Dec. 24, 25 and 31.
Events:
Edificio Sabatini, Santa Isabel, 52. Madrid
Edificio Nouvel Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, s/n. Madrid
Palacio de Cristal (Retiro)
Julio González
10 mar - 1 jun
A friend of Picasso, collaborated with Picasso iron and bronze sculptures. Paintings, drawings and jewels by Julio Gonzalez can be seen.
ALSO THESE EXPOSITIIONS
- Permanent Collection
MUSEO THYSSEN-BORNEMISZA
One of the finest private art collections in the world. In summer the rooftop terrace is open for having romantic dinner. In the summer, the museum is open on Monday and late at night. Paseo del Prado, 8.
Near the museum: Paseo del Prado, Plaza de Neptuno, Museo del Prado, La Bolsa (stock exchange building), Hotel Palace and lots of very interesting small restaurants and bars.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00; 10:00 to 15:00 on December 24 and 31.
Closed: Mondays. The ticket office closes at 18:30; closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25.
EL RASTRO
The legendary Sunday market still attracts locals and visitors alike. You can buy second hand clothes, pets, etc. Starts from the Tirso de Molina metro station up to the Plaza de Cascorro. Also you will find Antiques at the Galerias Piquer. We recommend visit this Gallery.
Warning: Take care of your handbag and valuables always!
Around El Rastro: La Taberna Almendro (this bar is very peculiar inside and famous for its wine and sandwich). El Viajero (it is normally crowed. NY style, you can eat or just have a drink. Visit its fantastic terrace at night), Fábrica de Churros, “chocolate and churros” is a Spanish classic, usually enjoyed at 6 in the morning after a hard night out! The Fábrica makes the churros in front of you!
REAL MADRID STADIUM “BERNABEU STADIUM”
The Prado of football stadiums…. Spain’s most illustrious football club, founded in 1902. From its own restaurant you will get to enjoy a panoramic view of the inside of the stadium. The service and food are not great, but football frikis won’t notice! Great for kids. Paseo de la Castellana. Lots of bars and restaurants around the stadium and a Friday´s for kids.
REAL ACADEMIA DE BELLAS ARTES
The Fine Arts Academy is best known for its Goya self –portraits. This museum doesn’t get many visitors as The Prado, Thyssen or Reina Sofia Museums but is worth a visit. Calle Alcalá, 13.
Open: Tuesday: 17:00 (All year except July, August, and September), Tuesday 11:00 (July and September); Thursday: 11:00 (All year except July and August).
PUERTA DEL SOL
The Gateway of the Sun has been the heart of the city since the 15th century. Nowadays it is the kilometer zero wherefrom they depart all the Spanish roads and where the principal streets converge. You will see the statue of El Oso y el Madroño (the bear and tree), the symbol of Madrid. Maybe you will be lucky and meet the last bootblacks who stay even in Madrid. Service is expensive.
Curious thing: The clock rings at 00:00 on December 31 of every year, mark the traditional capture of twelve grapes and the beginning of a new year to the great majority of the Spanish.
Around the Puerta del Sol: Plaza Mayor, La Violeta shop (famous for its candies of violet flavor), Casa Labra (very old bar, specialist for its croquettes of cod and tuna with tomato), Lardhy (famous for its cocido madrileño), Chocolateria San Ginés (very famous for its chocolate with churros).
PUERTA DE ALCALÁ
The neoclassical gateway to Madrid is dramatically lit at night. We can say the Puerta de Alcalá and the Cibeles statue are emblematic of the City of Madrid.
Around Puerta de Alcalá: calle Serrano (expensive shops), calle Alcalá, Plaza de Cibeles.
PLAZA DE TOROS
Is bullfighting art or a blood sport? Even in Spain we have different opinion. But whatever your feelings are you will be impressive by the world´s most important bullring. The bullfighter dress may weigh up to 5kg (11 pounds) with gold embroidery. It is spectacular! Highlight of the season starts in May, during the Feria de San Isidro when some 30 bullfights take place. There is a Bullfighting Museum next to the stables. Be visited can be curious. Las Ventas metro.
PLAZA DE ORIENTE
Elegant square in front of Palacio Real and behind the Teatro Real. Lots of fun cafés and restaurants in the area. Madridisuserfriendly will note they are very expensive… no price/quality relation at all…
PLAZA MAYOR
This Square reflects the History and the histories of Madrid. It turns out interesting for its architecture, buildings and for the animation of Madrid that is breathed in it, by day like by night. Long time ago used to be center of commercial exchanges and public manifestations. It is a place full of life. At present it is a square invaded by musicians, cartoonists and other artists. Sunday morning there is a street market of stamps and ancient coins, and in December installs the Christmas market. At night is very animated. Perfect place for a walk about and have a tapa in the mesons and tabernas (taverns). The original Spanish tapa originates from here and you will find the real ones original ones. Not cheap any more...
Around Plaza Mayor: Calle Mayor, Puerta del Sol, Calle Arco de Cuchilleros.
PLAZA DE CIBELES
The Cibeles Fountain is the city´s best loved landmark. The woman represents the fertility godless. The fountain is very impressive.
Around Cibeles : Banco de España (Spanish Bank), Palacio de Comunicaciones (Central Post Office), Gardens of Palacio de Linares, Paseo del Prado, calle de Alcalá, calle Gran vía (entertaiment street).
PARQUE DEL RETIRO
Enjoy the shady paths and formal gardens of Madrid´s central park. It is 1.2sq km. The Retiro will linger you memory, particularly if you see in late spring or early autumn when its colors are most vivid. Inside you will enjoy with a lake, palaces, statues, 400 year old cypress, parterres, observatories, free band concerts from may to oct, puppet shows for children on Sunday… The atmosphere inside is great. Has lots of entrances. Madridisuserfriendly recommends the one on Calle Alfonso XII.
Around Parque del Retiro: Puerta de Alcalá, calle de Alcalá, calle Serrano.
CASA DE CAMPO
Stretching away to the northwest. You can walk for hours and contains sport facilities, a large lake where you can hire boats, amusement park, aquarium and zoo (one of the best in Europe). The Teleférico (cable car) runs up from Parque del Oeste. The journey is 11 minutes.
PARQUE DEL OESTE
Madrid´s most atattractive green space is deal for a summer walk due to it is less frequented than the Retiro. We recommend taking the Teleférico (cable car trip) placed in this park for superb views over the city. Entry free. Paseo de Camoens.
We do not recommend stay in the park at night.
PALACIO REAL
The vast 18th Century Royal Palace is an outstanding historical monument. Do not leave Madrid without get in there. Entry expensive. Calle Bailén.
The changing of the Guard takes place at noon on the first wed of the month, except July, August and September.
Open: October to March - Monday to Saturday: 09:30 - 17:00; Sunday and holidays: 09:00 - 14:00.
April to September: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 - 18:00; Sunday and holidays: 09:00 - 15:00.
MUSEO DEL TRAJE
Dress up in 18th Century clothing at Madrid´s most exciting new museum. Since it opened in 2004 the Museum of Costume has made its mark on the Madrid culture stage. Far more than just clothes (14 galleries), the collection is a history of how Spanish society has changed over the century. We recommend a visit, great for kids, especially girls! The museum has quite a chic restaurant. In summer you dine out on the terrace. Entry free of charge for under 18. Avenida Juan de Herrera, 2. Metro Moncloa.
Open: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 - 19:00; Sundays and holidays: 10:00 - 15:00; Thursdays (July and August): 9:30 to 22:30.
Closed: All Mondays, Jan. 1 and 6, May 1 and 15, Dec. 24, 25, 31.
MUSEO SOROLLA
Museum dedicated to the life and works of the 19th century, Spanish impressionist, Joaquin Sorolla (1863-1923). This was his home. Born in Valencia by the sea, he wanted to create an oasis of peace for himself in the busy city. It has a lovely and quiet garden. Madridisuserfriendly believes this is one of the best of Madrid’s “home museums”. We recommend it. Paseo General Martínez Campos, 37.
Open: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 to 15:00; Sundays and holidays: 10:00 to 15:00; Wednesdays: 9:30 to 18:00.
Closed: Mondays, Jan. 1, May 1, Dec. 24, 25, 31, and all local holidays.
MUSEO LÁZARO GALIANO
Eclectic collection of "objets" of art. There cannot be many museums like this and is surprisingly unknown to many madrilènes. Every time you go there is something new to discover in this dazzling collection. José Lázaro Galiano was and obsessive, seemingly unfocussed art collector. On his dead he donated his collection to the state. The collection includes paintings by Bosch, Murillo, Rembrandt, Zurbaran, El Greco, Velázquez, etc. Calle Serrano 122.
Open: Wednesday to Monday: 10:00 to 16:30 (Closed Tuesday).
MUSEO CERRALBO
The home and artworks of a 19th Century marquis. This museum shows how the nobility of Madrid lived 100 years ago, in particular the extravagant and fascinating Marquis de Cerralbo. Calle Ventura Rodriguez, 17. Tours in Spanish only.
Closed at the moment .
MUSEO DE AMÉRICA
Outstanding museum dedicated to the art and culture of the Americas. The Museum of America assembles wide a collection from the different cultures of the American continent. Avenida Reyes Católicos, 6.
Open: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 to 15:00; Sunday and holidays: 10:00 a 15:00; Thursday afternoon: 16:00 to 19:00 (Jan. 17 to June 26, except March 20 & May 1).
Closed: All Mondays, Jan. 1, May 1, Dec. 24, 25, 31,
Free:: Sundays, May 18 (International Day of Museums), Oct. 12 (America’s Day), Dec. 6 (Constitution Day).
ERMITA DE SAN ANTONIO
Superb Goya frescoes adorn the chapel where the 18th century Spanish painter is buried. This Hermitage is a National Monument to Goya’s memory.
Curiosity: San Anthony is the patron saint of sweethearts, and on June 13, women come to pray for a husband!
Open: Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 to 20:00; Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 to 14:00; August: Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 to 14:30; Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 to 14:00
Closed: Mondays and holidays; Entrance is free.
CATEDRAL DE LA ALMUDENA
Madrid´s most important church has an impressive cliff top setting. Recently inaugurated, it took almost a hundred years to build and subsequently reflects years of Spanish architecture. The mixture of styles shows how relaxed madrileños were about a new Cathedra, which one would have expected to be a priority. We recommend Calle Bailén, next to Palacio Real.
TEATRO DE LA ZARZUELA
This wonderful light opera is one of Spain’s best kept secrets. The Zarzuela Opera is a typical Spanish genre where words, songs and dance scenes are connected. It was first represented during the time of Philip IV at the Palace of Zarzuela near Madrid and present home of the present monarchs of Spain, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, hence the name Zarzuela. Since the XIX century, the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid is where you can see the best Zarzuela, unique to Spain and is a visit not to be missed.
More Info
TEATRO ROMEA
Freedom, destination, political and love ambitions of prince Segismundo and king Basilio are part of the famous Spanish baroque play La vida es sueño interpreted by the Madrid group: La Compañìa Siglo de Oro. After a great success during the ¨Made in Mad Berlin 2008¨ this play is coming back to Spain. Between the 9th and 19th October, La vida es sueño was at the Theatre Romea in Barcelona and as of the 4th December can be enjoyed at Theatre Albéniz in Madrid. Worth seeing.
