The Reina Sofia Museum, the complete guide

Find out in this article why the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid attracts so many visitors.

The Museo Nacional Centro Reina Sofia is part of the famous Golden Triangle of Madrid’s art. It is one of the largest museums in Madrid after the Prado Museum and the Thyssen & Bornemisza Museum.

It is known all over the world for its contemporary art and for the famous paintings on display such as Picasso’s Guernica and his masterpieces.

Located in downtown Madrid in front of the Atocha train station in an old hospital, the Reina Sofia National Museum will surprise you with its unique cultural offer.

In order to answer any questions you may have about visiting the museum we have prepared a comprehensive article to prepare you for your experience and have a great time during your stay in Madrid.

Table of Contents

1. What to see at the Reina Sofia Museum
2. Where the Reina Sofia Museum is located
3. How much does the entrance to the Reina Sofia Museum cost?
4. The museum’s schedule
5. Visit the museum with a French-speaking historian guide
6. Why visit it with Madrid Discovery
7. Organize a visit with your EC
8. Visit the museum without a guide
9. Visit the Reina Sofia Museum for free.

1. What to see at the Reina Sofía Museum

The museum is composed of 3 floors, a garden, a small terrace and more than 20,000 works of art are on display.

The period covered by the Reina Sofia Museum is complementary to that of the Prado Museum, they are two museums that deserve to be visited one after the other to get a chronological view of Spanish art and movements.

You will find a bookstore as well as a locker and toilets. For lovers of beautiful views we advise you to go up to the second floor to have access to a magnificent terrace.

Count 2 hours for a visit of the museum with a French-speaking guide, you will have the opportunity to study nearly 18 works. If you make the visit alone you will be able to discover up to 25-30 works (quick passage without explanations).

2. Where the Reina Sofía Museum is located

The museum is located in front of the Atocha train station and not far from the Retiro Park. The imposing building (former hospital) is quickly recognizable.

Museum address: Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid

If you come from the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum or the Prado Museum then you will only have to follow the paseo del arte to get to the National Museum in the Reina Sofia Center.

The crystal palacio of Velasquez palace are an extension of the Reina Sofia museum in Madrid, we advise you to visit them, they are located in the Retiro park just behind the Prado museum. To get there, go up the paseo del arte.

Extension of the museum: crystal palacio and Velasquez. Here you will find unique and high quality temporary exhibitions exhibiting the works of renowned artists.

Museum Terrace

3. How much is the entrance fee to the Reina Sofia Museum?

Admission to the museum is 10€. If you are over 65 years old then you will get a discount. By comparison, the Prado museum costs 15€ per person and the Thyssen Bornemisza museum costs 12€ per person.

Subject to proof of age, persons meeting the following conditions will be admitted free of charge:

• To be under 18 years old.
• Student from 18 to 25 years old.
• Journalists, people with reduced mobility, people without work.

4. Timetable of the Reina Sofia Museum

The museum opens every day at 10:00 am, it is also one of the busiest hours, you may have to wait 30-40 mins before you can enter the museum.

The solution is to come earlier to have a good place in the queue or to come later when the 10:00 am visitors have finished visiting the museum.

We advise our clients to book their visit for 3:00 pm, it is a low hour and the number of visitors is very low, which will allow you to enjoy the museum’s collection.

Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm
Sundays and holidays from 10am to 7pm

The Reina Sofia Museum is closed on the following days:

January 1st
May 1st
December 25th

The centro de arte reine sofia is also closed on January 6th.

5. Visit the museum with a French-speaking historian guide

The visit to the Reina Sofia Museum is one of the most surprising visits in the city, many of our clients had not thought about visiting the museum and finally chose to visit it with a guide following recommendations they got from friends.

A true cultural heritage, the National Museum Reina Sofia Center partly retraces the Spanish Civil War (with Picasso’s Guernica as the main canvas) and the history of modern Spain with the feminist movement.

One part is dedicated to Cubism and its history, you will have the opportunity to contemplate paintings by the famous painter Juan Gris and his masterpieces.

The visit of the museum without a historian guide is quite complex, cubism and contemporary art is not as descriptive as the paintings that can be found in the Prado Museum or the Thyssen Museum.

The museum visits that we offer at Madrid Discovery are developed to offer you more added value than the classic visits.

In order to offer you an exclusive and complete service, we take care of the organization of your visit as well as the purchase of the fast tickets. Your guide will pick you up directly at your hotel and take you to the Reina Sofia Museum. If you plan to visit the Museo Nacional Centro Reina Sofia with young children or teenagers, the private tour will be an excellent way to capture their attention and avoid boredom.

Don’t waste any more time and discover our tour of the Reina Sofia Museum with our English speaking guides.

6. Why visit it with Madrid Discovery

Visiting the Reina Sofia de Madrid with Madrid Discovery will allow you to live a unique and authentic experience.

Most of the guided tours that you will find in Madrid are not private and you will have to buy the tickets by yourself.

To save you from having to manage the organization of your visit we will take care of it.

Being transparent with our clients is a priority, once the reservation is made on our website you will not have to pay anything, we do not ask you to pay any cash or buy the tickets yourself.

Included in the price is a series of exclusive services such as the purchase of fast tickets, the departure of your visit from your hotel, the cab ride from your hotel to the museum and a dedicated customer service that can be reached at any time.

Can’t make the tour? Had to cancel your stay in Madrid? Don’t worry, contact customer service to get a full refund of your purchase*.

* Refund conditions are indicated in the general conditions of sale.

7. Organize a visit to the Reina Sofía with your company

The museum adapts very well to group visits and especially to company visits. We regularly organize visits to companies that come to Madrid for a seminar or during vacations organized by the EC.

Our services for companies have been developed to offer a stress-free turnkey experience. Once the visit is booked we take care of all aspects of the visit to ensure that you have a unique experience.

For more information on group tours or team-building organization please do not hesitate to contact us directly by email.

Main entrance of the museum

8. Visiting the museum without a guide

It is not an easy museum to understand and many of the works require an explanation to decipher their meaning.

It is important to understand the context of each of the works in order to appreciate the visit. Its imposing size may lose the visitor and not allow him to enjoy the experience to the fullest.

There may be some waiting when buying tickets to visit the Reina Sofia Museum. During the high season it is possible to wait more than 30 minutes to return. This is a constraint that you will not have when visiting the museum with a private guide.

9. Visit the Reina sofia museum for free

t is possible to visit the Reina Sofía Museum free of charge, for this you will have to wait for the end of the day slot between 18:00-20:00 during the week and 17:00-19:00 on weekends and holidays. You will have access to the entire collection of the museum.

Is it interesting to visit the museum for free?

Visiting the Reina Sofía Museum during this time can be interesting if you have a small budget and want to visit Madrid economically.

However, to be able to visit it you will have to start waiting from 5:00 pm or even 4:30 pm on busy days.

To be sure to return during the free schedule some people start waiting very early. In general the number of people who enter for free is quite high and you will not be able to visit the museum in the best conditions.

To sum up, visiting the Reina Sofía Museum for free may be interesting but requires some sacrifice of time and comfort. It is important to note that temporary exhibitions are not open to the public for free.

This article was first published on May 25, 2020. It is regularly updated with news and new activities.

The history of Segovia

Segovia is a medieval city located in the centre of Spain, about 100 km from Madrid.

Capital of Spain in the Middle Ages, its central geographical location allowed the various kings to maintain their power in Spain.

Famous in part because of its aqueduct which revolutionized the lives of its inhabitants, Segovia is one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Spain.

Discover throughout our article everything you wanted to know about this magnificent medieval city.

If you wish to visit the medieval city then you will find in this post everything you need to organize your stay.

The Segovia Aqueduct

Mainly famous thanks to its imposing aqueduct, it was built during the Roman Empire around the first century AD.

It brought water from the river hechebeda for almost 2000 years directly into the city. The water was stored in large tanks and redistributed to the city’s inhabitants, allowing them to have quick access to water.

The Segovia aqueduct is 813 metres long and almost 29 metres high at its highest point.

It consists of 127 arches and 20,000 granite blocks. The peculiarity of this building is that there is no trace of mortar between the stones that form it.

The masons have applied an engineering system based on physics – the stones rest one on top of the other. To achieve this result they used wooden structures where they made the stones rest, once the whole was stable the wooden structures could be removed.

The Segovia Aqueduct

Who built the Alcazar de Segovia

Research shows that the Alcázar de Segovia was built with the same stones as the aqueduct, which means that it was built by the Romans.

In order to strengthen the protection of the Alcázar and to protect the fortress as well as possible, its builders built it at the foot of a ditch more than 20 meters deep.

Naturally deep, it is from this ditch that the stones were extracted to create the Alcázar and the aqueduct, making it even deeper and more dangerous.

It is possible to see the traces left in the ditch when the stones were cut.

Alfonso 8 the Noble was one of the first monarchs to live in the Alcázar, followed by a large number of monarchs.

The Alcázar was a place where many decisions on the legacy of the Spanish crown were made.

Its visit is very interesting and we advise you to take an audioguide if you do not have a private English speaking guide.

Alcazar of Segovia

Visit Segovia from Madrid

The advantage of visiting Madrid is that there are a multitude of cities like Segovia and Toledo that can be visited in one day. In another article we will tell you more about what to do in Toledo, a medieval city classified as a UNESCO National Heritage Site.

Segovia is famous all over the world for its citadel, aqueduct and gastronomy. In this article we will tell you about the different things to do during your stay in Segovia and you will see that despite its small size not everything can be visited in one day.

How to get to Segovia

Segovia is part of the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, named “historical and cultural community” for its great cultural wealth.

It is made up of nine provinces: Avila, Burgos, León, Palencia, Salamanca, Segovia, Soria, Valladolid and Zamora.

It is the largest autonomous community in Spain and the sixth most populated, with 2,409,165 inhabitants.

The city of Segovia is located in the northwest and is an hour’s drive from Madrid. There are three options to get there:

The first option is to go by car.

You can easily find a car rental company in the city centre of Madrid. It takes a good hour’s drive to get there. There is an underground car park a few meters from the aqueduct.

It is also possible to book a private driver who will drive you from Madrid to the medieval city. This option is interesting if you wish to visit the city with a private guide.

Besides not having to worry about the route your guide will show you the city in an intimate and unique way.

The second, faster and cheaper solution is to take the train from Madrid Chamartin station to Segovia station.

This option is convenient, but very restrictive, you have to respect the train timetable so you don’t miss the time and once in Segovia you have to get on a bus that goes back and forth between the centre and the station.

It is quite possible to visit Segovia with a guide while leaving Madrid by train.

The last option is to take a bus from Madrid to Segovia.

The departure will be from Moncloa and you will arrive in 1h30. There are on average 1 to 2 buses per hour (EMT bus network website at the end of the article). It is the cheapest solution, but the longest.

The Madrid-Segovia connection is very easy. If you don’t want to organize this excursion yourself, don’t hesitate to write to us, the Madrid Discovery team will propose you the ideal itinerary to live a unique and authentic experience.

Visit Segovia Spain from Madrid

When to visit Segovia

We often get this question, it is indeed important to ask when to visit Segovia or Madrid, because some periods are not very favourable for tourism.

The ideal time to visit Segovia is from mid-March to mid-November, the most frightened will prefer the months of May to October. The temperature in summer is hot (very hot in August) and cold in winter (very cold in January and February).

If the cold doesn’t bother you then Christmas is the ideal time, the atmosphere is very warm and spending Christmas in Spain is an unforgettable experience!

It is not very common to have rain, but if you are travelling at the beginning or end of the season then we recommend that you take warm clothes to protect you from the cold and rain.

What to do in Segovia

What to do in Segovia? The advantage of visiting Madrid is that the region offers a wide variety of activities including visits to medieval cities.

The city of Segovia offers three main interests, castles, gastronomy and possible hiking around the city.

First we will list the different visits to do and then we will talk about the gastronomy and what to eat in Segovia.

The city of Segovia is one of the oldest cities in Spain where many civilizations such as the Celts, Romans and Moors have lived and left traces.

Visiting this city is therefore a step back in time several hundred years. The part of Segovia that can be visited is the old town, very easy to get to and not much frequented by tourists you will have the opportunity to visit unique monuments rich in history.

The following monuments can be visited independently, but if you prefer to visit them with a guide please do not hesitate to contact us and check our offer on our web page, we will offer you a unique experience in a confidential setting in the company of an English speaking guide.

The Alcázar of Segovia

The visit to the Alcázar is one of the most interesting tours of the city. Here you will be able to visit the different rooms where the history of Spain was written, which will offer you a complementary visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid.

Allow a good hour to visit the entire Alcázar.

The Segovia Alcázar is made up of 3 parts: the museum, the castle and the Juan 2 tower. It is possible to buy a ticket to visit all of them or to buy a ticket for each part.

We advise you to take a tour of the Juan 2 tower to have a great view of the city, but don’t forget that 152 steps of a spiral staircase await you!

Summer schedule : (from April 1st to October 31st) from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Winter schedule : (from November 1st to March 31st) from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

The Alcázar is not open all year round and we advise you to visit their website for the latest updates.

Prices are available on the website of the l’alcazar, children under 5 years old have free entrance. You can rent an audio guide during your visit to the Alcázar de Segovia for 3€, it is available in more than 10 languages.

The Segovia Aqueduct

The Segovia aqueduct is part of the landscape of the medieval city, you can’t miss it. To have one of the most beautiful views of the building we recommend you take the stairs that are located on the right side of the aqueduct, once at the top you will be on the rampart and will have a great view.

Segovia Cathedral

The cathedral of Segovia, imposing by its size and architecture and a must during your visit to the city.

It is composed of 3 naves forming a Latin cross plan, the cathedral has side chapels, a transept with a semicircular apse with a choir and a tower.

It is possible to enter the cathedral through three doors: the Puerta de San Geroteo, the Puerta de San Frutos and the Puerta de Santa María.

Opening hours of the cathedral :

March to November: Monday to Sunday: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm (last passage half an hour before)

April to October: Monday to Sunday: 09h00 to 21h30 (last passage half an hour before)

The cathedral is closed 30 minutes before closing time. We advise you to visit the cathedral between April and November.

The cathedral of the medieval city

Guided tour of the tower of the cathedral of segovia

It is possible to take part in a guided tour of the tower present in the cathedral, here are the schedules :

March to November:

Monday to Sunday: 10:30 (guided tour in Spanish); 12:00 (guided tour in Spanish); 13:30 (guided tour in Spanish), (15:00 guided tour in English) and 16:30 (guided tour in Spanish).

April to October:

Monday to Sunday: 10:30 (guided tour in Spanish); 12:00 (guided tour in Spanish); 13:30 (guided tour in Spanish), (15:00 guided tour in English); 16:30 (guided tour in Spanish); 18:00 (guided tour in Spanish) and 19:30 (guided tour in Spanish)

May to October:

Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 21:30 (special night guided tour including a visit to the interior of the illuminated cathedral – in Spanish)

Muralla of Segovia

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is one of the most beautiful and ancient walls in Spain.

The total length of the wall is 3 km 406m and can be up to 2.5 m thick. Its height has been estimated to average around 9.50m.

The wall was composed of 5 gates acting as toll gates, currently it is possible to see 3 of them: The gate of San Andrés, the gate of Santiago and the gate of Saint-Cyprien.

Take a walk in the Jewish quarter of the old town

We advise you to visit the Jewish quarter after the wall, the walled walkway of the wall will give you a breathtaking view of the Jewish quarter of the city and the general architecture of the city.

Once the visit of the wall is over, go to the Jewish quarter of the city to discover the atypical architecture of the district.

Segovia Spain

Eating in Segovia

Segovia is best known for its magnificent Roman aqueduct and its magnificent alcazar, but for food lovers from all over the world it is one of the best places to taste the suckling pig, a speciality of the region.

Visiting the medieval city is above all to taste a suckling pig and enjoy a moment of tasting during your stay in Spain.

Discover what to eat and above all where to eat the best dishes of the city.

Tortilla de patatas

What to eat?

Very nourishing suckling pig is a specialty of the region, tender and tasty this dish will give you enough energy to go around the city walls again.

Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside the suckling pig must melt in the mouth to be perfect.

This dish is very well known in the region, so much so that the people of Madrid go to Segovia on Sundays to taste it.

It is also important to note that this dish must follow some rules; the suckling pig must be no more than 3 weeks old and be fed only milk and weigh no more than 5kg.

This makes the meat very tender and tasty.

There is even a contest for the best suckling pig!

We advise you to order a suckling pig for 4 to 5 people, the chef will prepare it for you and divide it into several portions. If you travel in summer, don’t order too many dishes, because the suckling pig is very nutritious and will be enough to satisfy you.

The suckling pig is not the only traditional dish you can enjoy during your visit.

The “Judiones de la granja” are large white beans prepared in a soup, creamy and tasty this dish will be ideal when visiting the city in winter. It is often eaten with chorizo and tocino* in the manner of a Madrid cocido.

*tocino: bacon

You will find many other equally delicious dishes on the restaurant menu, to start with we recommend sharing a Russian salad, castellan soup or some croquetas. The offer of wine (mainly red wine) is also very wide in this region and would not displease you.

Finally for dessert it is imperative to taste the local pastry el ponche segoviano. Composed of a light sponge cake covered with custard and a thin layer of marzipan it will be ideal to end your meal.

*marzipan: slightly sweet almond paste.

Suckling pig

Where to eat?

After different visits to Segovia we could low the selection of the best restaurants and pastries or eat a good suckling pig and buy a segoviano poncho. In general the restaurants in Segovia are all of very good quality, so it is safe to go to the restaurant of your choice.

Here is our selection of restaurants and pastries:

Mesón De Cándido; an authentic restaurant where you can enjoy a large terrace. Very easy to find it is located very close to the aqueduct. The suckling pig is delicious and their pastries are exquisite!

La cocina de Segovia; gastronomic restaurant it will suit people looking for a more exclusive setting, the cuisine is delicious and the service of quality. Their wine list is very wide and will suit all tastes.

Jose Maria; authentic and rustic restaurant typical of Segovia. Quality suckling pig, economical wine list and family atmosphere. Far away from the tourist area, it will suit people looking for a more authentic setting.

If you wish to buy pastries and especially el ponche de segovia we recommend you to go to Lemon and Mint (on the plaza mayor) they are famous for having the best pastries of the city.

Restaurant – suckling pig

When to eat?

You probably know it and you must have realized during your first days in Spain that Spanish timetables are different from other countries, lunch and dinner are much later than in our country.

Spaniards are used to eat a sandwich or a pincho de tortilla around 11H30 / 12H00, it’s the almuerzo. This allows them to have lunch around 14H30 / 15H00.

Restaurants do not open their kitchen before 14H00, in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona it will be possible to find a table for 13H00 but this is not common.

It is the same for dinner, restaurants do not serve before 20H45 / 21H00 and it is not uncommon to reserve a table for 23H00.

Segovia’s restaurants have adapted to their international clientele and offer more flexible dining hours.

However, we suggest that you contact the restaurant via their social networks or web page to find out the opening hours.

Visit the surroundings of the medieval city

If you can easily move around by car then we recommend you to make visits outside the medieval city, you will be amazed to discover the cultural richness of this region. Discover our selection of 4 things to do around Segovia. If you like more intimate sights and places away from the crowds of tourists then these are the places for you.

Monastère de Santa María del Parral

You will have the opportunity to discover the Roman Catholic monastery of the monks of the Order of Saint Jerome, outside the centre of Segovia. Visits are not open every day and we advise you to contact the monastery directly to make a visit.

Monastery opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Royal Palace of the Granja de San Ildefonso

Visit this magnificent royal palace of the Granja de San Ildefonso during your tour of the city.

Opening hours of the Royal Palace of the Granja de San Ildefonso :

From 01 April to 30 September: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 20:00, closed on Mondays.

From 01 October to 31 March: Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, closed on Mondays.

The palace of San Ildefonso is not open every day, here is the link to the official website of the palace.

Do you have any questions about how to organize your stay, what to visit in Madrid or which hotel to take? Don’t hesitate to write to us, our specialist guides in Madrid will help you prepare your stay.

Do you want to visit Madrid with a family with a guide? Are you passionate about art and dreaming of visiting the Prado Museum?

See you soon in Madrid.

The Royal Palace in Madrid with Madrid Discovery

Royal palace of madrid

Private royal palce tour

The Royal Palace of Madrid is one of the monuments to see during your holidays in the Spanish capital, rich in history, it will surprise you with its rooms, each one as magnificent as the next and the richness of its decorations.

Go on a unique visit where you will discover an impressive collection of clocks, paintings by famous painters, tapestries, royal jewellery, the royal crown and even a very rare collection of Stradivarius violins unique in the world.

What to see and do at the Royal Palace in Madrid?

Before starting our guide to the Royal Palace of Madrid here is a list of the rooms to visit in the palace. We have not detailed everything so as not to spoil your visit and leave you with a bit of surprise for a successful visit.

You will have the possibility to visit : 

• The Armory Square
• The main staircase
• Chamber of Charles III
• The porcelain cabinet
• The Gala Dining Room
• The Royal Chapel
• The Stradivarius Hall
• The Throne Room 

History of the Royal Palace of Madrid

The history of the Royal Palace of Madrid begins during the reign of Emir Mohamed I (9th century). He chose to build a fortress in the city of Madrid to protect the ancient Spanish capital Toledo from the advance of the Christians.

It was not until the 14th century that the kings of Castile built the first Alcázar, bearing the name of Antiguo Alcázar. It was Charles I of Spain and his son Philip II who were to carry out this transformation, which was to turn the ruins into the residence of the kings.

In 1734 a fire destroyed the Alcázar and it was Philip V who directed the construction of a new palace on the ruins of the two previous ones.

He appointed Filippo Juvara to build it, but the latter died shortly after the construction began and it was his disciple Juan Bautista Sachetti who completed the construction in 1738, seven years after the beginning of the works.

The first king to reside in the royal palace was Charles III, who was also the first to decorate it.

The greatest changes in decoration were made by his successor Charles IV, who decorated the Hall of Mirrors.

Studies have shown that the Royal Palace in Madrid is inspired by the organization of the Louvre in Paris made by Bernini. In both structures we find a square courtyard, a gallery and a main facade of the palace overlooking the military square.

The Royal Palace of Madrid has nearly 3000 rooms, a staircase designed by Sabatini with more than 70 steps, a throne room with a magnificent fresco by Tiepolo, a guard room formerly a ballroom, a royal chapel and a room dedicated to Stradivarius stringed instruments.

Royal palace of madrid

What to see at the Royal Palace in Madrid?

To give you a foretaste of the Royal Palace of Madrid here are in detail the most important rooms of the official residence of the kings of Spain.

The place of the armoury

The Armoury Square separates the Royal Palace from the Almuneda Cathedral. It is an ideal place to take pictures of the Royal Palace, and it is also from this square that you can enter the palace and start the visit.

During military graduations or events the Armoury Square is not accessible to allow the event to take place. If you are visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid we advise you to go to this square to start your visit and soak up the sublime royal decorations.

The main staircase

The main staircase of the Royal Palace has been designed to have a graceful and harmonious step.

This is possible thanks to the small spacing between each step making it very easy and pleasant to use.

Each step is carved from a single 5m long piece of Spanish marble. When you pass by this staircase take the time to look at the magnificent vault and its paintings which describe the Spanish monarchy of the 18th century. You will find many sculptures depicting royalty including two lions symbolizing power and Spain.

Room of Charles III or Mattia Gasparini

Charles III’s room is decorated in Rococo style from floor to ceiling. Very fashionable at the time of Charles III this joyful style represents the beauty of nature and oriental art.

The very difficult decoration was completed almost 50 years after the request. You will find on the floor a marble marquetry representing plants that you will find on the seats and the walls.

The room of Charles III is one of the most prestigious rooms of the royal palace with a very rich decoration and one of the most important clocks (shepherd’s clock) of the royal palace.

Royal palace of Madrid

The Royal Chapel

The chapel of the Royal Palace in Madrid is one of the most impressive rooms in the building, a real jewel you will discover a chapel with luxurious details and full of meaning.

To make the most of this room we recommend spending several minutes observing the details of the magnificent dome.

The Stradivarius Hall

This room is one of the most eagerly awaited in the Royal Palace in Madrid. Stadivarius pieces are presented, 2 violins a viola and a cello. These four instruments were acquired by the court in 1775, they were regularly used for concerts and are still used for exclusive events in the royal palace of Madrid.

This hall is much loved by music lovers from all over the world both for its decoration and the pieces on display.

The Throne Room

The king’s throne stands in a large room with red velvet walls and sumptuous decoration.

This room was completed in 1772 and the decoration has remained intact to the present day. Each decorative element is an allegory that symbolises the Spanish monarchy and its history.

It is interesting to be accompanied by a guide to be able to learn about the meaning of each element in this masterful room full of history.

The armoury and the royal kitchen

It is not possible to visit the entire palace (almost 3000 rooms) but you can visit the impressive armoury and the kitchen.

The armoury is located in the back on the right (when looking at the Almuneda Cathedral) of the main courtyard of the royal palace. For the kitchens we advise you to ask the staff of the royal palace whether they are open or not.

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid with a historian guide

The Royal Palace in Madrid is one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe is one of the palaces that has seen the most kings and culture live within these walls.

The history of this building is very important to understand the evolution of the Spanish monarchy. Each room has a history and their decoration too.

Visiting it with a historian guide will give you a comfort in understanding the works and the meaning of the allegories present in the palace.

One of the great advantages of visiting the Royal Palace of Madrid with a guide and being able to spend more time in the rooms to appreciate its history and decoration.

You will learn how the kings used painters and artists to show its superiority and power.

The visit of the palace with a guide lasts almost 2 hours, very complete and rich in explanation it is an incomparable experience that awaits you.

Visit the Royal Palace of Madrid with Madrid Discovery

At Madrid Discovery we offer you a unique and luxurious experience in the Royal Palace of Madrid. Take a private tour of the palace with a historian guide and learn about the history of Spain and the Spanish kings.

Visiting the palace with Madrid Discovery is the assurance of a personalized and authentic visit. As soon as you book a tour, a personal advisor will take care of preparing your visit.

On the day of your visit your guide will pick you up directly at your hotel, transportation between the hotel and the palace is included in the price as well as fast entrance fees.

You won’t have to wait to get home and enjoy a royal visit.

Attend the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace in Madrid

Changing of the guard takes place on Wednesday and Saturday of each week (except for official ceremonies or unfavourable weather conditions). You will be able to attend the Changing of the Guard show every first Wednesday of the month (except January, August and September).

Visit the Royal Palace in Madrid with your company or on a school trip.

If you are planning to visit Madrid with your company for a seminar, team building or company trip, we will provide you with a “turnkey” offer to visit Madrid and the Royal Palace.

We work with quality partners who offer top quality services to meet your requirements and provide you with an experience worthy of your expectations.

We regularly welcome school students on a trip to Madrid and we are happy to organize visits to the Royal Palace of Madrid.

The educational aim of our teaching staff is reflected in the explanations given by our guides. We have developed visits to capture the attention of students and provide them with real added value to make their stay as beneficial as possible.

For more information about group visits to Madrid, the Royal Palace or the museums of Madrid, please contact us directly by email at info@madrid-discovery.com.

How do I get to the Royal Palace in Madrid?

It is very easy to reach the Royal Palace in Madrid, most hotels are less than 10 minutes walk from the palace and it will take you less than 15 minutes by taxi to get there from the most distant hotels.

The best option is to take a taxi to get dropped off right in front of the entrance.

If you wish to take a taxi you will have to use line 2 and exit at the Opera station, you will have to walk less than 5 min to get to the Royal Palace.

More information about the Royal Palace in Madrid

Madrid Royal Palace rates

• Adult rate: 13€.
• Reduced rates (under 16 and, large families, over 65s and students): 7€.
• Free for children under 5 years old

Opening hours of the Royal Palace in Madrid

• Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm between October and March
• Monday to Sunday from 10am to 8pm between April and September
• On public holidays, the palace closes at 3 p.m.

More information about the Royal Palace in Madrid

If you like to visit monuments and museums during your travels then this visit will be perfect, very pleasant to visit the Royal Palace of Madrid will not leave you indifferent.

To make the most of your stay we recommend you visit the Royal Palace of Madrid and then continue the visit with the Prado Museum and then visit the Reina Sofia Museum.

The malasana neighbourhood is one of the most popular places in Madrid, a place to live, shop or go out, where you can gather and have a good time with your family or friends.

Emblematic district of Madrid both by its history and by the different cultural movements that have emerged there, malasana neighborhood has become over time a unique and authentic neighborhood not to be missed during a stay in Madrid.

In love with Madrid and passionate about its history, we have decided to write this post to tell you more about this district so emblematic of our beautiful city Madrid.

You are probably wondering :

Why does malasana neighborhood have this name? Why is the 2 de mayo square so important? Who is Malasana? What to do in Madrid? Where to eat in Malasana? Where can I go shopping?

We hope that this guide to the malasana neighborhood will help you prepare your stay, if you liked it don’t hesitate to tell us on our social networks and share the article around you.

Malasana’s story

Before introducing you to the modern malasana neighborhood, it is interesting to start by telling you the history of this district. Discover the life of the alasana district right now to become a schoolteacher in the trendiest district of the capital.

malasana neighborhood

La movida and Malasana neighborhood

The movida is a cultural movement that followed Franco’s dictatorship in the 70’s, unique in all Europe it was at this time that Spain freed itself from its chains and discovered the world.

Malasana neighborhood was the cradle of this movement with famous bars and still famous for their parties and big parties.

The modern Malasana

The malasana neighborhood is the perfect place if you want to spend a shopping day in the capital.

After this section you will find a guide to spend an ideal day in Madrid.

Discover or go shopping in Madrid, or drink a cana, the rooftops of the neighborhood or the best restaurants in the city.

Shopping in Malasana

Once you’re in this beautiful neighborhood, you’ll be able to feel the hipster atmosphere.

Fashion in Spain is very present and you won’t be disappointed when you see the numerous thrift shops, in total you will find no less than 15.

Each one has a particular style, with pieces coming from the US, France or Spain. One of the most famous is the flamingo where you will be able to buy a lot of clothes and finally pay by weight. A concept that is very popular with Spaniards and that does not leave indifferent every traveller passing through the malasana neighborhood.

malasana neighborhood

drinking beer in the malasana neighborhood

Malasana neighborhood is also and above all a place where you can meet with friends to enjoy tapas around a cana. Spend a real moment in Spanish “tapar” from bar to bar.

You’ll find the best bars in the area in plaza del 2 de mayo where beers and glasses of wine are usually less than 2€.

A list to make your cana break a success:

La Bicicleta, A bar for bicycle lovers, atypical and warm, this bar will transport you in less than a few minutes in the Spanish atmosphere!

Ojala, If you have to choose a bar in malasana it will be this one. A bar with three different atmospheres, a terrace or in the sun, a flowerpot where you will eat between the plants and finally a travel atmosphere with a basement full of sand, enjoy a break with your feet in the sand!

Pepe botella, One of the mythical bars of Malasana, located near the Plaza del dos de mayo this bar has taken the nickname given to Napoleon’s brother “pepe botella”. This goes back to the time when Napoleon’s brother was governor of Madrid, he decided to make decrees on the sale of alcoholic beverages and was caricatured by the artists of the city that gave him this nickname. For the most curious we suggest you take a trip to the Museum of History of Madrid where you will find the original drawings of the caricatures of “pepe botella”.

Lunch and diner in the malasana neighborhood

Malasana neighborhood is also the place to enjoy tapas with friends and dine in small restaurants.

You will find a great diversity and will be able to taste a simple tapas to a Greek dish through a Mexican dish.

Here is a list of our good addresses:

Another great place to enjoy good food: Ojala, if you want to eat with your feet in the sand, on the terrace or in a greenhouse. A very popular place in Madrid and often sold out, especially when the sun makes its first appearances.

To taste many styles of cuisine you will find the market of St Anton. A delight for gourmets and foodies from all over the world.

The Fuencaral street will plunge you into a gustatory broom.

Our good address:

Lateral, present in several districts of Madrid, is a sure value in terms of tapas.

We recommend the pincho de tortilla! If you liked this restaurant we advise you to find the different restaurants in Madrid.

Saporem, a restaurant hidden by a rather banal facade, entry into a world where you will be cut off from the world, an atypical decoration awaits you and delicious dishes to enjoy with friends or family.

If you prefer Mexican food, we suggest you take a street tour where you will find a typical Mexican restaurant. Get into the atmosphere and taste a real michelada!

A restaurant not very touristy, but just as delicious, … this Japanese will make you travel through its thematic rooms, attention, if you want to eat there try to book in advance to have a table. The ramens are delicious !

Eating a hot dog on the go, a crazy street food style restaurant is waiting with their delicious perros calientes !

Malasana neighborhood & LGBT experience

The malasana neighborhood is located right next to the famous chueca neighborhood, where you will find many famous addresses of the LGBT community. If you want to have a list of gay experiences to do in Madrid don’t hesitate to take a look at our LGBT guide.

Going out and meeting people in the malasana neighborhood

Malasana is a party place. Party again, relive the movida and dive into the authentic Madrid during your stay. This is the bar not to be missed at a party in malasana.

La via lactea: a bar well known to Spaniards and famous for its concerts and the personalities who have frequented it.

malasana neighbourhood

Our guide to spend a perfect afternoon in the district of malasana

Make the most of a sunny day to discover this beautiful neighbourhood and live to the Spanish rhythm.

A historic morning

Explore the Museum of Madrid where you will have the opportunity to learn more about the history of the city.

Enjoy some tapas and explore the neighbourhood from the plaza del 2 de mayo, from the plaza upwards and then head to fuencarral.

Take a lunch break in Saporem and enjoy delicious food.

Prado Museum

Discover a complete guide to the Prado Museum and plan your stay in Madrid in complete tranquillity.

Table of Contents

The Museo del Prado is one of the museums to visit during your stay in Madrid. Located on the Paseo del arte in the city centre it is part of the famous Golden Triangle of Art along with the Reina Sofia Museum and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum.

The Museo del Prado is known worldwide for its works of art belonging to Spanish monarchs.

Works by Goya, Velazquez and Bosch commissioned by the kings are on display as well as a large number of paintings by European artists.

When to visit the Prado Museum? Where is the museum located? How much time is it worth to visit the Museo del Prado? Do we need to take a historian guide? How much does the entrance to the Prado cost?

In order to answer the questions you need to ask yourself about your visit to the Museo del Prado we have prepared a complete article about the museum and its visit. Discover now how to make your visit a success and not miss the greatest works of art in the museum.

Museo del Prado

Visit the Prado Museum with a historian guide

As many of you still book our private tour of the Prado Museum, your feedback on the visits is very positive and we are delighted that your experience has been a success.

Visiting a museum like the Prado Museum without the explanations of a historian guide can make you miss the meaning and history of most of the works.

If you want to visit the Prado Museum, it is because you are sensitive to art and want to know the history of the works and the history of the painters.

At Madrid Discovery we have developed private tours of the museum with English speaking historian guides, during your visit you will study about 15 important works of art in the museum.

Your guide will introduce you to the life of the painters and their relationship with the court and society, as well as the rivalries between them.

In order to offer you a complete service, we take care of the purchase of the tickets as well as the transport from your hotel to the Prado Museum. Our mission is to make you live a unique and enriching experience on the history of art. You will be accompanied by a French-speaking guide and will benefit from quick entries so that you don’t have to wait long minutes in the queue (included in the price).

In order to personalize your experience as much as possible, you can ask your English-speaking historian guide to visit a particular part of the museum.

Satisfy your desire for culture and discover the unexpected with Madrid Discovery.

If you visit the Prado Museum with your family and young children or teenagers it will be a good way to capture their attention and avoid them getting bored, our guides are used to working with a very young audience and will capture their attention.

Why visit it with Madrid Discovery?

Unlike the majority of the visits you will find at the Museo del Prado our tours are entirely private and in your language. At Madrid Discovery we work day by day to offer completely personalized experiences thanks to our network of qualified and professional partners.

Being transparent with our clients is a priority, so once you make a reservation on our website you will not have to pay anything, we do not ask you to pay cash or buy the tickets yourself.

Included in the price is a series of exclusive services such as the purchase of fast tickets, the departure of your visit from your hotel, the journey from your hotel to the museum and a dedicated customer service that can be contacted at any time.

Can’t make the tour? Had to cancel your stay in Madrid? Don’t worry, contact customer service for a full refund of your purchase*.

* Refund conditions are indicated in the general terms and conditions of sale.

Museo del Prado

Visiting the Prado Museum with your company

The Museo del Prado will be an ideal visit for an afternoon of team building, many companies contact us to organize a visit during their trip to Madrid and we are happy to offer them our experiences.

We have dedicated products for companies, these are “turnkey” visits so you don’t have to worry about the organization.

For more information about group visits or team-building, please contact us directly by e-mail.

Museo del Prado

Visit the museum without a guide

If you wish to visit the Prado Museum without a historian guide then this part will help you to organize the visit. The Prado Museum is quite complex and requires some organization to visit it.

Composed of three floors and more than 1200 works, the Prado Museum is spread over 45 km2, it is very easy to get lost without really enjoying the visit. Its size and the large number of works can make the visit very tiring and most visitors visiting it alone do not make the most of their experience due to a lack of explanations.

Before returning home you will have to buy your ticket at the ticket office, if you come to visit the Prado Museum during the high season it may take more than 30 minutes to get in.

To avoid wasting too much time we advise you to come and visit it at off-peak times. We will detail the rates and times below.

What to see at the Prado Museum

Once inside the Museo del Prado you will find yourself on level 0, a very spacious level with a luggage locker, toilets, a bookshop and a cafeteria. It is also on level 0 that you will find the museum’s temporary exhibitions.

If you have no idea how to start your visit to the Museo del Prado we advise you to ask the information stand for advice, they will help you along the way. The museum offers flyers with the high-lights to see, to give you an idea it takes 2 hours to see 20/25 paintings (quick passage without explanations).

The three levels of the Prado Museum

• Level 0 of the Prado Museum: Jeronimos building and Villanueva building / Temporary exhibitions.

• Level 1 of the Prado Museum: Spanish / German / Italian paintings / drawings.
• Level 2 of the Prado Museum: sculptures / 18th and 19th century Spanish paintings

The black paintings of Francisco de Goya are located on level 0 room 67, you will find a large number of works from his period known as the “black paintings”.

The meninas of Velázquez are located on the 1st floor in room 12.

Museo del Prado

3 great painters present at the Museo del Prado

Francisco de Goya

Francisco de Goya is a Spanish painter of the 18th century, he made many trips to Italy to cultivate himself and learn new painting techniques. He is famous for his paintings of the royal family, 2 de mayo, black paintings and much more. Very represented in the Prado museum you will have the opportunity to discover his career.

Diego de Velazquez

Diego de Velazquez is a Spanish Baroque painter, famous for his paintings he is also one of the most represented painters in the Prado Museum. You will find one of his most famous paintings on level 1: The Meninas.

Bosch

Jerome Bosch is a Dutch painter of the Flemish Primitive Movement. The Prado Museum exhibits various works including the Garden of Delights, a painting used to teach religion to the young kings of Spain.

During your visit to the Prado Museum you will discover a large number of painters and works. Visit the Prado with an English-speaking guide to know the details of each work.

10 of the works that the Museo del Prado advises to see

Here is a very brief list of the works that you can admire at the Prado Museum.

1. Sala 56A EL BOSCO El jardín de las delicias
2. Sala 56A EL BOSCO La mesa de los pecados capitales
3. Sala 25 TINTORETTO El Lavatorio
4. Sala 58 VAN DER WEYDEN El Descendimiento
5. Sala 56B FRA ANGELICO La Anunciación
6. Sala 55B DURERO Autorretrato
7. Sala 9A VELÁZQUEZ Las lanzas o La rendición de Breda
8. Sala 12 VELÁZQUEZ Las meninas
9. Sala 29 RUBENS Las tres Gracias
10. Sala 32 GOYA La familia de Carlos IV

We advise you to end your visit by passing by the room dedicated to the black paintings of Goya, you will find not far from this room one of the most famous paintings of Goya, “el dos de mayo” (the back of mayo).

Where the Prado Museum is located

The Museo del Prado is located in front of the Thyssen and Bornemisza Museum, if you sleep at the Ritz, Westin palace or NH paseo del Prado you will only have to cross the paseo del arte to get there.

If you come to spend the day in Madrid and take the train to the capital then you will have to walk a few minutes to get to the Prado Museum.

The Atocha train station is located right in front of the Reina Sofia Museum and very close to the Prado Museum.

You will find the Retiro Park behind the Prado Museum, once your visit is over it will be a good opportunity to take a walk there.

If you decide to go to the Museo del Prado by metro then we suggest you take line 2 and stop at banco de espana, it will take you a little less than 10 minutes to walk there.

How much does admission to the Museo del Prado cost?

Admission to the Prado Museum is 15€. If you are over 65 years old then you will get a discount.

Subject to proof, persons meeting the following conditions will be admitted free of charge:

• Under 18 years of age
• Student from 18 to 25 years old
• Journalists, people with reduced mobility, people out of work.

Schedules of the museo del Prado

The Museo del Prado opens every day at 10:00 am, it is also one of the busiest times of the day, you may have to wait 30-40 mins before you can enter the museum.

The solution is either to come earlier to get a good seat in the queue or to come later when the 10:00 am visitors have finished visiting the museum.

We advise our customers to book their visit for 3:00 pm, this is a slow time and the number of visitors is very low.

Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm
Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 7 pm

The Museo del Prado is closed on the following days:

January 1st
May 1st
December 25th

Visit the Prado Museum for free

It is possible to visit the Museo del Prado free of charge, for this you will have to wait for the end of the day slot between 18h-20h on weekdays and 17h-19h on weekends and public holidays. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to contact the Museo del Prado directly for more information.

You can also visit the Museo del Prado free of charge on Prado’s birthday on 19 November and on 18 May for International Museum Day.

Museo del Prado

Is it interesting to visit the museum during this time?

Visiting the Prado Museum at this time of the year can be interesting if you have a small budget and want to visit Madrid in an economical way. However, in order to get in, you will have to start waiting from 5:00 pm or even 4:30 pm on busy days. To be sure to get in during the free schedule some people start waiting very early.

In general the number of people who enter for free is quite high and you won’t be able to visit the museum in the best conditions. To sum up, visiting the Prado Museum for free may be interesting, but requires some sacrifice of time and comfort.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Royal Palace of Madrid – Plaza Mayor

Table of Contents

For a visit to the historic centre of Madrid we recommend you to visit :

• The Royal Palace in Madrid
• The Cathedral of the Almuneda
• La plaza mayor
• The mercado de san Miguel
• La puerta del Sol
• The Latina district
• Eating at the Sobrino de Botin

One of the advantages of Madrid is that despite its very large size it is possible to visit the historic centre of the city on foot without wasting time on public transport.

The historic centre of Madrid is big enough to spend a morning during a 2 or 3 day stay in the capital.

The historic centre of Madrid is located in the current city centre, many hotels are in this area and it will be easy for you to find the one that best suits your needs.

If you are visiting Madrid in 3 days we advise you to stay in one of the hotels located near the Royal Palace.

For more information about the different hotels in the city don’t hesitate to consult our Madrid hotel guide, where you will find the best addresses, our opinions and a list of more than 10 hotels where you can stay or sleep in the capital.

In this article you will find the essential information about what to visit during your stay in Madrid. If you are wondering what to do in Madrid and what to visit during a stay of 2 or 3 days then you are at the right place.

Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have about your stay, we will be happy to answer them.

The historic centre of Madrid offers a wide range of cultural activities and many places to visit, which is why we’ve included a full article to cover the subject and help you prepare for your future stay.

Don’t hesitate to book a city tour of Madrid so that you don’t lose time during your stay and visit the best of the city.

Not to be missed: the ideal itinerary in the historical centre of Madrid (at the end of the article) during a stay in Madrid.

The heart of the historic centre of Madrid: the Royal Palace of Madrid

The Royal Palace in Madrid is one of the most beautiful and grand palaces in Europe and is one of the monuments of the city to visit during your stay.

The palace represents the historic centre of Madrid, it is from this point that the city has grown to currently cover more than 600 km2 or almost 6 times Paris!

The palace opens to the public from 10am, if you want to live an exclusive moment it is possible to start the visit from 9am, but only with an official guide. For more information about this service do not hesitate to contact us and take a tour on our website, we will organize you a unique and authentic visit of the royal palace with a English-speaking guide.

Once inside the royal palace you will have the opportunity to visit it and to plunge back into the life of the monarchs. Here is a list of the main rooms you will be able to see:

The grand palace staircase.
You will discover the Column Lounge.
The bedroom of Charles 3.
The porcelain cabinet.
The Gala dining room.
The royal chapel.
The throne room.

The visit doesn’t stop there, if you have time is that they are open then you can access the royal armoury and the royal kitchen.

Don’t hesitate to ask a member of the staff if it is possible to visit them.

During your visit you will pass by the Stradivarius room, you will find an impressive collection of original Stradivarius as well as the scepter and the royal crown.

If you are interested in the royal palace and the history of Madrid do not hesitate to read our article dedicated to this monument and the history of the monarchs who lived there.

-> Our article on the Royal Palace of Madrid

If you are visiting the historic centre of Madrid we recommend you to take a tour around the Opera Square in front of the Royal Palace of Madrid. The building is open to the public and you will have a great view of the palace from the Opera Balcony.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Opera Madrid

The Cathedral of the Historic Centre of Madrid: L’Almuneda

Located in front of the Royal Palace and separated by the Plaza de la Armería the Almudena Cathedral will surprise you with its magnificent statues.

It is a relatively young cathedral built in the 20th century with different styles (neoclassical on the outside and neo gothic on the inside).

It is important to note that it is the only Spanish cathedral to be consecrated by a pope.

It was during a trip to Spain that Pope John Paul 2 consecrated it in 1993.

Located in downtown Madrid it is also one of the monuments to visit. Access is free, but a donation is required. You will discover a large nave as well as a magnificent dome at the crossing of the transept.

The crypt of the Almuneda Cathedral

We advise you to visit this neo-Romanesque style crypt, under the Almudena Cathedral. You will have to go around the cathedral on the left to get to the entrance of this unique place.

The crypt of the Almudena is one of the largest in Spain, generally not much frequented you will be pleasantly surprised by this jewel.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Crypt of the Almuneda Cathedral

The palace gardens: El campo del moro

If you have the opportunity to visit the historic centre of Madrid between March and October then we recommend you to take a walk in the beautiful Campo del Moro Park.

This English style garden is full of flowers. El campo del moro is ideal to rest after a visit to the royal palace and take your best pictures.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Royal Palace of Madrid – Campo del moro

The Basilica of San Francisco

This basilica is located not far from the Latina district and very close to the Almudena Cathedral. It is the most beautiful basilica in Madrid that you can visit.

You’ll have to cross the Segovia viaduct that connects the Royal Palace and Las Vistillas Park.

This viaduct became famous thanks to its appearance in Pedro Almodovar’s films like Matador or The Passenger Lovers.

You will find this basilica on your right after passing the viaduct. It is not very well known by tourists and is rather frequented by locals, it was our favorite when we entered it, with a neoclassical style you will find works of Goya.

It has a very large dome which is one of the largest in Europe after St. Peter’s Basilica or the Cathedral of Santa Maria in Florence. This basilica is one of the most beautiful in the historic center of Madrid.

Take advantage of your visit to the Royal Palace to take a tour of this unique place.

aHistoric Centre of Madrid – Basilica Madrid

The historical square of Madrid: Plaza Mayor

Madrid is made up of different squares that have evolved over time.

The plaza mayor which is part of the historic center of Madrid and also one of the most historic squares, it delineated one of the boundaries of the city in the 16th century.

Originally equipped with a hall it was the city’s market. It was three big fires that shaped it and changed its appearance.

You will find the statue of Philip 3 in the centre. Stroll under the arcades to admire the architecture of this magnificent place.

The Plaza Mayor is one of the most touristic places of the city, not to fall into the trap here is a list of authentic addresses of the place.

Have a drink at the café at: Al Fresco.
Eat a squid sandwich at the bar La Ideal.
Eat a traditional dish at the restaurant Gustos.
Visit Madrid in winter to see the famous Christmas market!

Historic Centre of Madrid – Plaza mayor Madrid

The historic market of Madrid: Mercado de San Miguel

You have probably already heard about the San Miguel market from a friend of yours who has been to Madrid or when reporting on the Spanish capital.

Located in the historic centre of Madrid the San Miguel market is a must for lovers of tapas and Spanish gastronomy.

It’s also a unique architectural work of art, made of glass and a metal structure that makes it an atypical and pleasant building to visit.

It’s usually a stop on our private tours of the city, it’s the ideal place to recharge your batteries after a visit to the royal palace.

Known all over the world by the presence of prestigious Spanish and foreign chefs, you will have the opportunity to taste tapas from all over Spain without forgetting a glass of Sangria or a caña.

This is what awaits you:

Joan Roca artisanal ice cream (3 Michelin stars).
Pellas de Rodrigo de la Calle (1 Michelin star).
Basque gastronomy with Amaiketako.
Typical Madrid dish from Casa Lhardy.

If you want to taste real Mexican tacos you will find Roberto Ruiz (1 Michelin star).

The mercado san Miguel is open every day from 10am to midnight and until 1am on Saturdays. You will be able to enjoy tapas every hour of the day. If you wish to enjoy the Spanish atmosphere we advise you to come and eat around 11am to enjoy a unique moment with your family or friends.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Mercado de Madrid San Miguel

Historic street of Madrid: Calle Mayor

Main axis of the historic center of Madrid this street starts at the foot of the Almudena Cathedral to reach the puerta del sol. Here you will find many restaurants and tourist shops.

You will be able to admire the modernist architecture of the buildings while strolling through its atypical little streets in the historic centre of Madrid. You will find famous historical buildings such as :

Casa de Calderón.
Joyeros de Mayor.
Miradores de chaflán.

Sobrino de Botin

One of the most popular addresses in the capital is the Sobrino de Botin, a typical restaurant serving traditional Spanish dishes, the oldest restaurant in the world opened in 1725.

It is on 4 floors that this 16th century style restaurant with low ceilings and antique period decoration is located.

Its characteristic wooden façade makes this restaurant a unique place where you can taste many traditional dishes such as cocido or lentils.

To eat there nothing simpler, you can go there and wait half an hour to have a table. To avoid this and to be sure to have a table quickly we advise you to book via their website, they have an online reservation system.

Historic Center of Madrid – Botin restaurant Madrid

Puerta del sol

Historic Centre of Madrid – Puerta del Sol

The Puerta del sol, located in the historic centre of Madrid is the central square of the city, this is where many events take place such as the New Year, the 15 M, events and political demonstrations.

You will also find the 0 kilometer of Spain and the statue of the bear and the strawberry tree, emblem of the city.

La puerta del sol is almost entirely pedestrian, but it was not in its infancy.

Real nerve centre of the capital it is very well connected with Callao, Plaza Santa Ana, Plaza Mayor, the Madrid Opera or the Paseo del Prado with the famous Prado Museum, Thyssen and Reina Sofia.

La Latina aera

A visit to the historic centre of Madrid is not limited to the main monuments of Spanish history.

The Latina quarter is an integral part of Madrid’s history and will surely be part of your itinerary on your first visit to Madrid.

You should know that this neighborhood is built on the ruins of an ancient medieval Moorish fort. You will find a very atypical architecture with small streets that wind between the buildings. It is interesting to compare the structure of this neighborhood with the modern Salamanca neighborhood where the streets are straight.

Real district dedicated to shopping, discover our article on the Salamanca district with our good shopping and lifestyle addresses.

You will find many churches such as the church of San Pedro el Real or the basilica of Saint Francis the Great that we mentioned earlier.

La Latina is a very lively neighbourhood where Spaniards like to meet on Sundays to go hunting at the Rastro market, a real attraction in the historic centre of Madrid.

Historic Centre of Madrid – La Latina aera

The Cava Baja and the Cava Alta

The cava baja and the cava alta are two very lively streets in the historic centre of Madrid.

Rich in history, they have shaped the Latina quarter and are the ideal place to eat tapas and meet up with friends. With an older and calmer style, another atmosphere awaits you.

Make the most of your stay in Madrid to live both atmospheres.

You will find many bars in the cava Baja, the animation is greater in the evenings. The cava alta is less lively, but very nice to see with its many facades and tile shopfronts typical of the historic centre of Madrid.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Calle cava alta Madrid

The Cebada market

Very well known market for locals and visitors you will find fresh products, ideal to bring Spanish ham home. Take advantage of a Sunday to visit this typical place and enjoy some tapas on the terrace.

The Rastro Market

Located in the historic centre of Madrid, the Rastro market is open every weekend and on public holidays.

It is a paradise for antique and second-hand goods dealers, where you can find antique paintings, antiques, antiques and much more.

Always remember to negotiate prices, the Rastro’s sellers are rather conciliatory and accept your offers.

You will find a main street where many sellers offer you new products typical of the markets, if you want to hunt the best is to go into the small shops between the main avenues.

One area of the market is dedicated to picture frames and another to fripe.

Historic Centre of Madrid – Rastro Market

What to do in Madrid in 2, 3 or 4 days?

What to do in Madrid? How long does it take to visit Madrid? What to do in Madrid in 3 three days?

What to do in Madrid in 2 days? How to visit the historical center of Madrid?

In order to make it easier for you, we have prepared a typical itinerary to discover the historic centre of Madrid in one day.

The perfect itinerary for a day in the historic centre of Madrid

Historic Centre of Madrid – what to do in Madrid in 2 days

Whether it’s your first visit to Madrid or your tenth, you will be left out of this beautiful city. If you are planning your trip to Madrid this is the ideal day to discover the historical center of the city:

Morning

Visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid – We advise you to visit it with a guide, it will be more comfortable and you won’t have to worry about the organization.

If you are visiting the Royal Palace alone then we advise you to get there by 9:30am so you don’t have to wait too long.

Visit to the Almudena Cathedral (optional the crypt) – Once you have finished visiting the Royal Palace go to the Almudena Cathedral to visit it. It will take you no more than 25 minutes. If you have time you can visit the crypt of the Almudena Cathedral.

Time for tapas!

Once these two monuments have been visited, it’s time to leave for the San Miguel market to enjoy some tapas and regain your strength. You can stay there for 1 hour while you take a walk and enjoy some tapas.

Once the market is over, go to the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del sol, stroll from square to square and discover the secrets of these squares.

Lunch

Direction plaza santa Ana for lunch. We advise you to set yourself on Spanish time (lunch at 14:00 / 14:30) to make the most of your stay. You will find many restaurants on this beautiful square.

Once your meal is finished it is time to discover the district of the Latina is to stroll through the streets of the district. Pass by the calle mayor to find the district of the latina. Don’t forget to take a picture in front of one of the oldest restaurants in the world the Sobrino de Botin.

The snack

Take advantage of your stay in Madrid to taste churros con chocolate in one of the most famous restaurants: San Gines located in the historical center of Madrid between Callao and Opera (see district at the beginning of the article).

Your day of discovering the historic centre of Madrid is now over, take advantage of the Gran Via to do some shopping or enjoy a fresh cana in one of the bars in the area.

If you come across this article “the historic centre of Madrid” while preparing your stay in Madrid and you are wondering the following questions: What to visit in Madrid? What to visit in Madrid in 2 days? What are the best museums in Madrid? Where to eat in Madrid?

The Retiro Park

This true haven of peace situated in the heart of the city is composed of multiple fountains, gardens, sculptures and even a large lake where you can sail.

It is also known as a cultural place since it hosts many museums such as the great palace of Velázquez and the crystal palace. If you come to visit Madrid it will surely be part of your to do list!

Where is the Retiro Park located? How do I get to the Retiro Park? What to do at the Retiro Park?

Discover in this article all the answers to your questions. If you’re planning to visit Madrid for a weekend or during your future holidays then feel free to check out our blog.

Table of Contents

The history of Retiro Park

Called by the people of Madrid “parque del Retiro” or “parque del buen Retiro“, it was so named because it was once the spiritual retreat of the kings of Spain.

The construction of a second home for the king and his court began there, giving rise to the Palacio del Buen Retiro.

The gardens, formerly places of entertainment and recreation for the royalty, make up the park that we know today. In fact, the palace was destroyed, as it deteriorated over time due to poor quality materials and the Napoleonic attacks from 1808 to 1814. Thus, the majority of the remains of the palace are its gardens.

The Retiro Park roses

The park in a few figures

Created between 1630 and 1640, and covering more than 125 hectares, the Retiro Park has more than 15,000 trees, as well as numerous fountains, sculptures and gardens.

Formerly reserved for the king and his court, in 1868 it was opened to the public for good.

Practical information about Retiro Park

The Retiro park is accessible by metro line 2 and also by the following bus lines: 1, 2, 9, 15, 19, 20, 26, 51, 52, 61, 63, 74, 146, 152, C1.

Madrid Metro Tarif: The price of a metro ticket is 1.50€, the same for the bus.

Opening hours of the Retiro Park :

Between April and September: from 6am to midnight.

Between October and March: from 6am to 10pm

Price: free entrance

The main entrance to the Retiro Park is located in the Plaza de la Independencia, next to the Puerta de Alcala, an old gate that provided access to the city, is located.

It is built in a neoclassical style and resembles a triumphal arch. It can be reached by bus line 19 and leads directly to the Statue Walk.

Palaces of the Parque del Buen Retiro

El parque del buen Retiro is home to many buildings remarkable for their architecture. Its two most famous palaces are the Crystal Palace and the great Palace of Velazquez.

They are very different, and both are must-sees in El parque del buen Retiro, whether for a cultural getaway or a simple stroll.

The Retiro Park roses

Palacio de Cristal del parque del buen retiro

The Crystal Palace of the Buen Retiro is the work of the architect Ricardo Velasquez, it was originally built to house an exhibition of the Philippine Islands, hence its original use as a greenhouse.

Indeed, entirely composed of large windows and an iron structure, it is often compared to the palace of the same name located in Hyde Park in London. They both have the same structure and were both originally built to house an exhibition.

Today it regularly hosts exhibitions from the Reina Sofia Museum of contemporary Art. Both an exhibition space and a work of art in itself, it is very popular with tourists as it perfectly captures the light to make superb photos in a unique environment.

With its high structure and dome reaching 22 meters high, the crystal palace overlooks a small lake.

Entrance and access to the exhibitions are free of charge.

Please note, however, that the Crystal Palace does not have the same opening hours as the Retiro Park. Indeed, in high season, from April to September, it opens at 10 am and closes at 10 pm, the rest of the year it closes at 6 pm.

The Retiro Park – Crystal palace

Great palace of Velázquez

The great palace of Velázquez is similar to the Palacio de Cristal since it was built by the same architect, inspired by the same work and initially used for the same purpose.

However, it was built a little earlier between 1881 and 1883 and to house the National Mining Exhibition.

Its structure is also made of glass and iron with a high dome, but it differs for its many brick pillars and its earthenware decoration from the Royal Manufactory of Moncloa. It is also an annex of the Reina Sofia Museum where you will find sculptures and works of modern and contemporary art.

Access is free of charge.

The palace is open from April to September between 10 am and 10 pm, from November to March between 10 am and 6 pm and finally in October between 10 am and 7 pm.

The Retiro Park – Velasquez Museum

The museums of the Retiro Park

The Retiro Park is not only a green expanse, it is also home to numerous museums, former remains of the Palacio del Buen Retiro, the king’s second residence originally built to entertain monarchs.

Today the palace has been destroyed but some remains remain, such as the Salón de los Reyes (Hall of the Kingdoms) or the Cason del Buen Retiro.

Hall of the Kingdoms

Formerly used as a royal reception room but also as a throne room, this room was later transformed into an army museum.

It is also one of the few remains of the Palacio del Buen Retiro. However, in 2010, the museum was transferred to Toledo -the neighbouring city of Madrid- , so the place had to reinvent itself and was renovated to become an exhibition room for the works of the Prado Museum.

Currently, the room is still under renovation but is composed of numerous windows, a large floor area and also a large ceiling area, which will soon be able to accommodate the works that once adorned its walls. Among them are the 5 equestrian portraits of the royal family and the surrender of Breda, all painted by Diego Velazquez.

The opening was originally planned for the Prado Museum’s bicentenary in 2019, but since the renovation has been delayed, its date of reopening is not yet known.

Cason del buen retiro

Former ballroom of the court of Felipe IV, this building is one of the few remains of the Palacio del Buen Retiro.

The building has undergone major renovations to enlarge the hall and restore the fresco that decorates the vaulting by Giordano.

In the past, the hall housed many works from the Prado Museum, including the famous work by Pablo Picasso, Guernica, which was exhibited there before being transferred to the Reina Sofia Museum.

Today, however, the building is dedicated to the Prado Museum Studies Center for research and training of art experts. It also houses various departments dependent on the Prado Museum, such as the museum archives, its documentation and conservation centre and its library.

This building therefore contains many works on paintings, sculptures and drawings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.

Since the building now houses a training centre and valuable books, it is no longer open to the public but you can still admire its beautiful baroque façade.

The Retiro Park – Crystal palace

The statues and fountains of the Retiro Park

The Retiro Park is full of all kinds of artwork. You can admire beautiful Greek-style statues, as well as imposing and symbolic monuments such as the one erected in honour of King Alfonso XII.

You will also find many fountains, each work has a story and you will discover some of them in the following article.

Visiting Madrid and the Retiro Park with a private guide is a unique experience that will not leave you indifferent. Book your private tour now with us to know the secrets of the city and the park.

Monument Alfonso XII a central piece of Retiro Park

This monument was built in honour of King Alfonso XII, this statue overlooks the pond at 30 metres high and is located near the large lake in the centre of Parque del Retiro.

This former king of Spain is for the country synonymous with peace, he was a humble man at the service of the poor and the sick.

Construction began in 1902 and was inaugurated in 1922 when the statue of the king on his faithful steed completed the monument.

This major work of art in the 70-metre wide park is thus composed of a central statue to which arched columns are added. The columns themselves are adorned with sculptures such as lions guarding the monument, sirens and other works representing various values dear to Spain.

These include Peace, Freedom, Progress, but also the Spanish Army and Navy, Arts, Sciences, Industry and Agriculture.

The entire monument is made of bronze and marble.

The Fountain of the Fallen Angel in the Park del buen Retiro

This fountain overhung by a statue representing an angel who was expelled from Paradise, is the only work on earth where the Devil is represented.

Designed by sculptor Bellver in 1878, it was greatly inspired by John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost. Built for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, it is made of bronze and stone. At the top, the angel with outstretched wings seems to have just landed in hell, frightened, a snake wraps itself around him.

At the base of the fountain, where the water flows, there are demon heads holding lizards and snakes in their hands.

Coincidence or not, it would seem that the statue is located exactly 666 meters above the sea, a figure often associated with the number of the Beast.

You will find this statue on the paseo Fernan Nuñez of the Retiro Park.

The Promenade of the Statues of Retiro Park

Linking the big pond to the Spanish Gate, this main avenue of the Retiro Park will take you on a journey through time. You will find many statues of former kings of Spain all along your walk.

Initially designed to be placed in the Royal Palace during the reign of Fernando VI, they were later removed by order of the new King Carlos III.

They are now spread over three areas of the city: the Sabatini Gardens which make up the gardens of the Royal Palace, the Plaza de l’Oriente located between the Palace and the Royal Theatre and the Retiro Park.

The Retiro Park Pond

Built between 1634 and 1636, one could observe the king and his court enjoying a stroll on the water or water and music shows since a small island was present in its center. Today it has been submerged by water.

A little anecdote: in 1964, the pond was used as a film set for the film “The fabulous world of the circus” which had John Wayne among its famous cast.

This artificial lake allows tourists and locals to rent a solar-powered boat or rowboat to enjoy the sunshine with a short walk on the water. The lake is also dedicated to canoeing and kayaking activities, a real attraction of the Retiro Park. We advise you to come as soon as the lake opens to enjoy an afternoon on the boat.

The Retiro Park – Lake

The Galapagos Fountain

Built in honour of the birth of Princess Isabella II, this statue was originally placed on the Gran Via de Madrid but was transferred to the park in 1879.

It owes its name to the Galapagos Islands located in the Pacific Ocean whose main island is the Isle of Isabella with the same name as the princess.

Made of granite and limestone, it is the work of the architect De Mariategui, who was in charge of the repairs to the Royal Palace and very much appreciated by the monarchs of his time.

It represents three fairies surrounding the young princess to protect her and four dolphins ridden by children, symbols of intelligence, wisdom, prudence but also fertility.

There are also turtles synonymous with longevity, “Galapagos” meaning “sea turtles”.

The gardens of the Retiro Park

Remnants of the ancient gardens of the Buen Retiro Palace, the gardens we know today have been redesigned and offer visitors different atmospheres when walking in the middle of nature.

The Retiro Park – Garden

The garden of perennials

The perennial garden was created in the 1960s and offers walkers an extensive meadow, winding dirt paths and many different kinds of trees and plants such as box trees, laurels and conifers.

But also flowers such as lilies or peonies as well as aromatic plants such as rosemary.

The Dante’s gate located at the east side of the park, allows you a direct access to this garden. It owes its name to the mural sculpture of the Italian Dante Alighieri made of bronze, representing the poet who travels through paradise, purgatory and hell. Next to it is a small duck pond.

The gardens of Cecilio rodriguez

These gardens were named in honour of Cecilio Rodriguez, the former chief gardener of the park, and include various fountains such as the Gaviota fountain and its 8 columns that surround it.

There are various statues such as the mythological one representing the goddess Venus, symbol of love and beauty. This part of the Retiro Park also houses the Cecilio Rodriguez Pavilion, built entirely in red brick and in a very modern architectural style, this place hosts many public events.

The Retiro Park – Garden

The gardens of Herrero Palacios

This garden was built on what was once the Casa de Fieras. Former zoological park that housed tigers, monkeys, elephants and even crocodiles.

Once a place of abuse, violence and fighting, it closed in 1972 to open the Zoo of the Casa de Campo outside the capital. Today, these gardens still house the monkey cage, ponds and a children’s playground.

Its direct entrance is through the Herrero Palacios gate made entirely of red bricks. These gardens and this gate are named after the municipal architect Manuel Herrero Palacios.

The rose garden of the Retiro Park

The rose garden in the Retiro Park was designed by Cecilio Rodriguez in 1915. It has more than 4,000 rose bushes, the majority of which flower in May and June.

It is a peaceful place that awakens your senses with the many scents of flowers that surround you.

The Retiro Park – Roses

The French lawn

The French parterre of the Retiro Park was built on the former Italian-style Ochavado garden during the reign of Felipe V.

Completely destroyed during the War of Independence, it was left as a wasteland.

Today the garden is composed of a central green parterre and flowers, all arranged in geometric forms. It also includes ponds, fountains and four statues, which, as on the promenade of the statues, were used to decorate the cornice of the Royal Palace. There are also many monuments such as the one in honour of Jacinto Benavente, a Spanish playwright.

A real jewel of the Retiro Park, we recommend you to visit it when it is in bloom in spring. Its entrance is through the baroque style Felipe IV gate.

This species which composes the parterre, is very particular and known not to lose its leaves every year in autumn.

It is particularly peculiar because one of the trees in Retiro Park is known to be the oldest in the city, having been planted in 1630.