Don't join the long line of people waiting to get in the Prado. If you are with your kids go to the Reina Sofia instead and see some marvellous contemporary and modern art paintings like Picasso's 'Guernica'.
After, go to the café/restaurant for some great food and of course a bottle of wine from the Ribera Del Duero region, superb.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A museum with fascinating artefacts from every era of Spain's history - starting with prehistory.

Amazing Moorish and Visigoth exhibits. There are reproductions of the famous Altamira cave paintings in a specially constructed grotto outside.

The museum is also right by the Jardines de Descubrimiento with impressive modern fountains and sculptures celebrating Colombus' discovery of the new world. More famously this is where the Giant Flag flies - a Spanish national flag the size of a tennis court.

Just behind Jardines de Descubramiento, to the right.
M. Colon.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

After a morning spent immersed in the European art of the Museo del Prado, the Royal Botanical Gardens next door provide a rejuvenating (and cheap - 2 Euros) variation.

Surprisingly peaceful, when considering that it's situated in the centre of Madrid. Sit in the shade under one of the many trees, or learn a little about the many plant species.

Real Jardín Botánico
2, Plaza de Murillo
28028 Madrid
Underground station: Atocha, Atocha-Renfe

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

You HAVE to visit the Museo del Prado, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. Goya, Picasso, El Greco, Dali etc etc, but there are superb works from many other artists who are less well-known. The Prado is mainly 16th/17th century, the Thyssen gives an excellent history of art (the 12th/13th century 'religious' art is amazing, as is the Van Gogh, Mondrian and Degas)and the Reine Sofia has splendid modern art, including 'Guernica'. Cheap entry without special cards.

Prado, Passeo de Prado; Thyssen, Passeo de Prado 8; Reine Sofia, Calle Santa Isabel 52.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Centro Cultural Conde Duque, on Calle Conde Duque, is a very little known permanent museum, temporary exhibition and concert venue. The 18th-century building is impressive in scale, and the area around is quiet and relaxed. Full of bars, restaurants and some beautiful shops, it is difficult to believe that you are in the centre of town, surrounded by Calle Princesa, San Bernardo etc.

Take a stroll to Plaza Comendadoras for a drink in one of the many "terrazas" while you look at children playing in the playground. On the same plaza there's a "Sauna" (a brothel); opposite you'll see the also impressive building of the Convento de las Comendadoras. The area has the air of a small village about it; it's a mix of bizarre, genuine and unique Madrid.

Zona Conde Duque, nearest tube is San Bernardo or Noviciado

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A first-class art gallery which demands two full days to see it all as there is too much to take in all at once.

Right on Paseo del Prado in the heart of the city

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Madrid's second most famous art museum. It doesn't have Las Meninas or cute art students doing copies of the Old Masters. But nor does it have the Prado's crowds and the endless succession of suffering Jesuses and portraits of Spanish royalty and their mates.

Paseo del Prado, 8

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The museum not to miss while in Madrid is the Thyssen-Bornemisza. This private art collection housed right accross from the infinitely more famous Museo del Prado, features paintings from the 16th through the 20th centuries by some of the world's most prominent artists, including Caravaggio, Monet, Degas, Gaugin, Van Gogh, Picasso, O'Keefe and Hopper, among others. The quality an diversity of the collection is uncomparable, yet it is a size that is manageable and won't cause 'museum-fatigue'. So you'll have enough time and energy after your visit to get out and see the rest of what Madrid has to offer!

Paseo del Prado, 8
www.museothyssen.org/Ingles/index.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It allows you unlimited access to museums and other attractions for a set number of days. Includes the fun fair - v good for all ages just off the metro - zoo, cable car, all the museums, palace, Imax etc. Go in August it's hot but there's nobody there - so no queues.

www.madridcard.com/en/Inicio.aspx We got ours in our hotel.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Fantastic museum full of modern art - if nothing else, it contains Picasso's incredible (and enormous) Guernica. Like a lot of the museums in Madrid, admission is free on Sundays.

Metro: Atocha; www.museoreinasofia.es/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Goya and Velázquez are reason enough.

Paseo del Prado; Tel: +34 91 330 28 00; Closed Monday; Admission: €6; museoprado.mcu.es/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

It is the city's museum of modern art, heavily featuring Spanish modern artists - Dali, Miro and Picasso, and houses Picasso's Guernika. It's much more manageable than the Prado; the building itself is gorgeous, all white and airy, with a lovely garden in the central quadrangle. It used to be a mental hospital.

The top floor also houses contemporary installations which make the mind boggle. Enough for an hour or two of culture, without feeling obliged to see the rest, or be overwhelmed at the amount of work to see.

My favourite is a preparatory sketch of a bull with mad eyes Picasso made, for Guernika. My first stop whenever I am in town.

Free Saturday afternoons from 2pm.

On the Ronda de Atocha, opposite the Atoha railway station. 15 minute walk south of Plaza Major. Metro - Atocha

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends