Highlights
Parque del Buen Retiro
Escape the bustling streets of central Madrid for the serenity of the glorious gardens of Parque del Buen Retiro. Amble around the park’s fantastic marble monuments, luscious landscaped lawns and seek out the wonderful metal-and-glass structure of Palacio de Cristal. The locals of Madrid particularly enjoy this spot during fine weather, a perfect place to catch some rays or to read the paper in the shade. One of the main attractions is the stunning artificial lake, on which you can rent a rowing boat for an iconic Madrid experience.
Basílica de San Francisco El Grande
Recently restored, this imposing Baroque basilica is one of Madrid’s grandest churches. The magnificently frescoed dome is estimated to be the largest in Europe and the fourth largest in the world, with a diameter of 33m and a height of 56m. Each chapel is ornamented with frescoes and decorated to a different historical style; the Capilla de San Bernardino chapel is the most popular as it was painted by the famous Spanish painter Francisco Goya.
Plaza Mayor
Nestled in the tightly packed streets of central Madrid, the beautiful grand central square of Plaza Mayor is one of the prettiest open spaces in Spain. This magnificent square boasts a combination of imposing architecture and vibrant street life that makes it a must-see site in Madrid. Take a lunch break after wondering Plaza Mayor’s cobblestones and try a calamari sandwich in one of the restaurants, a culinary speciality in Madrid that is perfect alongside an ice-cold beer. If you visit Madrid during December, visit Plaza Mayor for its brilliant Christmas markets.
Art Galleries
Madrid has an outstanding artistic scene that is almost unrivalled, which is why art lovers return time and time again. The Museo del Prado, for instance, is one of the world’s premier art galleries, with over 7000 paintings held in its collection - including the royal paintings of Velazquez. Meanwhile, the fantastic Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is home to Picasso’s Guernica, possibly Spain’s most famous artwork, alongside other majestic works by Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró. Whilst the Prado and Reina Sofía allow you to focus on individual artists in detail, visit the Museo Thyssen-Bornmisza to look at an incredible breadth of artistic styles.
Palacio Real
The magnificent Italianate Baroque Palacio Real used to be the residence of the Spanish royal family, until they moved to the modest Palacio de la Zarzuela. Filipe V, the first of the Bourbon kings, decided to build a palace that would dwarf its European counterparts. However, Filipe died before this gigantic palace was finished and, as a result, the palace only comprises a mere 2800 rooms, just one-quarter of the original plan. Take a fascinating guided tour of the palace, which leads you through 50 stunning rooms, holding a remarkable collection of Goyas, ornate clocks and five impressive Stradivarius violins.