Are you planning to visit Madrid for vacations? Make sure to check all the tourist sights online and create a list of the best things to do in Madrid.
Madrid is one of the most visited cities in Europe. This is a modern cultural center with plenty of tourist attractions and a huge variety of entertainment.
In Madrid urban design of the city is combined with the beautiful green parks, numerous cafes and restaurants, and nightclubs.
The choice of the top things to do in Madrid is great and everybody who plans a trip to Madrid will find the best activity for himself.
One of the best things to do in Madrid is visiting the Prado Museum. You will see a lot of masterpieces, which were created during the 18th century and the Golden age of Spain.
If you are traveling to Madrid with your fiancé, make sure to plan an evening walk in the center of the city.
In order to explore the top places of Madrid, and to feel comfortable it is best to travel to Madrid during spring or in autumn.
The weather during these seasons is more pleasant, there is no heat, and you will be able to enjoy all the most popular sights of Madrid.
This is when you can enjoy beautiful gardens, parks, visit art exhibitions, museums, public places and more.
Museo Nacional del Prado
The Museo Nacional del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum famous all over the world. Collection Museo Nacional del Prado museum consists of 700 unique sculptures and 8000 paintings. The masterpieces are presented to the public in 100 rooms, on 3 floors of the museum.
If you are going to visit Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, don’t plan to see all of the pieces of art during one visit.
The best way to explore the exhibits of the museum and to enjoy your trip is to select self guided tours, which are offered at the museum. These routes are created in such a way that the visitors of the museum can see the specific works in the Prado museum.
The majority of Museo Nacional del Prado collection are the Spanish paintings of the 12th-19th century.
Fans of paintings by Francisco de Goya will be delighted to see 140 of his works exhibited in the museum.
There are plenty of unique art pieces to see in the museum, among them: Christ Embracing Saint Bernard by Francisco Ribalta, Jacob’s Dream by José de Ribera, The Annunciation by El Greco and others.
A must see collection of the 17th century of the Spanish religious paintings is exhibited in the contemporary building of the museum.
If you do not have plenty of time for visiting Museo Nacional del Prado, take a 90 minute tour.
This is a guided tour, to give tourists a general overview of the top must-see artworks exhibited in the museum.
You will also learn the historical background of these pieces of art for better understanding of the collection.
After this tour you can visit the Royal Botanical Garden to have some rest and relax. This beautiful green garden with sculptures, pathways and greenhouses is located next to The Museo Nacional del Prado.
If you travel itinerary permits, you can also visit the Museum of Natural History, which is located in the Real Jardín Botánico.
For sure, visiting The Museo Nacional del Prado is one of the best things to do in Madrid and see the world known masterpieces presented in the museum.
Buen Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace
If you are willing to escape from the hectic city life, one of the best things to do in Madrid is to visit the Buen Retiro Park in the center of the city.
The territory of the park is planted with 15 000 trees. This is a green paradise on 125 hectares of land.
This beautiful and elegant park was built in the 17th century for the Count Duke of Olivares and was owned by the Royal family till the 19th century. Later it became a public park.
In the center of the park you will find a pool.
If you are looking for unique things to do in Madrid, visit an observatory in the Villanueva Building, which was built in 1790. Stargazers will enjoy the exhibits of the Observatory – various unique instruments, which are used in meteorology and astronomy.
Buen Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace are among the top places to visit in Madrid.
Royal Palace and Gardens
Would you like to see the Spanish Versaille? Then the best thing to do in Madrid is to visit the Royal Palace!
The Palace is a huge impressive building, which is the official residence of the King of Spain.
The Royal Palace is used for various official events of Spain with the participation of the Monarch.
One of the most impressive parts in the design of the Royal Palace is the staircase at the entrance to the Palace. Inside of the Palace numerous masterpieces of famous painters are decorating the walls.
You will find the works of Caravaggio, El Greco, Rubens, Goys and others in the Palace.
In the Royal Armory Palace you will see the collection of the weapons and armor used by the Kings of Spain during earlier periods of time. Also there
One of the best things to do in Madrid is to visit Jardines del Campo del Moro. These stunning gardens were built during the reign of King Philip II. The Gardens are designed in a French style and include a number of beautiful fountains and pathways.
If you are traveling to the center of Madrid, do not miss the opportunity to visit the 20-hectare green space of Jardines del Campo del Moro.
This is the best thing to do in Madrid if you need some rest and are willing to spend time in a calm and peaceful place.
Puerta del Sol: The Heart of the City
The Puerta del Sol is a famous public square in the very center of Madrid. If you are looking for the top places to include into your itinerary, add the Puerta del Sol.
This is one of the most busy places in the whole Madrid.
You will find here a famous clock, which marks the traditional eating of the 12 Grapes and the start of the New Year.
There are plenty of cozy restaurants and cafes, and nice shops in the Puerta del Sol.
Visiting The Puerta del Sol should be in the list of the best things to do in Madrid!
