TOP 7 PLACES YOU NEED TO SEE IN MADRID
One of the most pressing issues that haunt tourists is what sights to see to be interesting, informative and what to remember after a trip. Therefore, we decided to help you and made a list of 7 places in Madrid that you must visit !!!
1. Prado Museum
To start your visit to the Spanish capital is to visit one of the most famous museums not only in the country but also in the world – Prado Museum. This treasury contains a colossal collection of over 6 thousand paintings, more than 400 sculptures, as well as various jewelry.
In Prado, you can see the works of such famous Spanish artists as Goya, Velazquez and El Greco, as well as paintings by Italian and Dutch painters: Botticelli, Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Van Dyck and others.
Address: Paseo del Prado
Opening hours: daily, except Sunday, from 10:00 to 20:00. On Sundays and holidays – from 10:00 to 19:00. January 1, May 1 and December 25 are days off. On December 24 and 31, as well as on January 6, the museum is open from 10:00 to 14:00.
Ticket price: € 14. For seniors over 65, members of large families and holders of youth cards – € 7. For children under 18 years old, students (18-25 years old) and people with disabilities, admission is free. You can enter the museum for free on Sundays and two hours before closing time.
2. The Royal Palace of Madrid
Today, the Royal Palace is used only for official events, and the rest of the time is open for tourists and guests. The building is beautiful in itself, but inside strikes with exquisite interiors and a rich collection of works of art. Also, the palace has a museum and an observation deck, which offers magnificent views of the city.
Address: Calle de Bailén, s / n, 28071 Madrid.
Hours: you can see how the Spanish monarchs lived daily from 09:30 to 17:00 (October – March) and from 09:00 to 18:00 (April – September).
Admission is € 10 (adult) and € 5 (children).
Tip: You can save a lot by buying a Paseo del Arte Card: it allows you to visit the three largest museums in Madrid – the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum – with a 20% discount on tickets. Moreover, the card is valid for a year from the date of purchase.
3. Reina Sofia Art Center
In Reina Sofia you can get acquainted with the history of art from the twentieth century to the present. In particular, the museum presents an extensive collection of works by avant-garde artists and surrealists. It is here that you can see the famous «Guernica» by Pablo Picasso.
Address: 52 Santa Isabel Street. The building is located next to Atocha Station (within walking distance). You can also get there by metro (line No. 1 and No. 3, Atocha and Lavapies stations, respectively) or by bus.
Opening hours: The Arts Center is open on Monday and from Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 21:00.
Ticket price: € 8, for temporary exhibitions – € 4.
4. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
In the museum you can easily «get lost» for several hours, examining the collection of paintings collected here. Here you can find pictures of all movements and styles: Picasso, Dali, Kandinsky and Chagall, and also the delightful works of Italian masters. Here are represented such styles as Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo, impressionism and post-impressionism – the diversity of the collection will not leave anyone indifferent.
Address: Paseo del Prado, 8 (next to the Banco de Espana metro station, line 2).
Ticket price: € 10, for preferential categories of visitors – € 7.
Hours: permanent collection – from 12:00 to 16:00 on Monday and from 10:00 to 19:00 on other days. The working hours of temporary exhibitions are always different, so it’s worth checking it out on the museum’s website.
5. The main square of Madrid
This is one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid and the starting point for sightseeing; Plaza Mayor is not in vain attracting tourists from all over the world. The area is surrounded around the perimeter by old houses with balconies, where royal people used to live. There are many ancient restaurants and institutions in the square.
6. Crystal Palace
This architectural marvel is located in Retiro Park, in the center of Madrid. Built of metal and glass, the palace is shining in the sun. Inside there is an artificial lake with a staircase descending directly into the water, tropical plants and flowers are planted. There are also turtles, ducks and swans in the lake. Exhibitions of contemporary art and design are held inside the crystal palace.
Address: Paseo República de Cuba, 4
Opening hours: the palace is open from Monday to Saturday from 11 to 20:00. On Saturday – from 11 to 18:00. Free admission.
7. Museum of bullfighting
Bullfighting is the national entertainment of the Spaniards that originated here, so it is not surprising that the museum dedicated to him settled in the territory of the bullfighting Las Ventas. You will learn where the bullfight came from and also you can see the costumes of the matadors and find out their history.
Address: Calle de Alcala, 237. The nearest metro stations are Ventas and El Carmen.
Museum opening hours: from Tuesday to Friday from 09:30 to 14:30, Sunday and holidays – from 10:00 to 13:00.