Museums

For lovers of art then the Golden Museum Triangle is like Christmas and Birthdays rolled into one. A fine place to start is the Museo del Prado which has one of the best collections of fine art in the entire world. You can find works of art from all over the world, but some of the highlights include, the famous Velazquez piece Las Meninas, the Black Paintings of Goya, the Adoration of the Shepards by El Greco, David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio and the Bosch masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights. For modern art, then you need to head on over to Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Centre which includes many of Pablo Picasso's most respected and loved works including his take on the Spanish Civil War Guernica. There are also works by other great modern artists such as Bacon, Miró, Kandinsky and Dalí. Finally more classical masterpieces can be found at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art, which includes artwork by past masters such as Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, Goya, Mondrian, Degas, Picasso and Bacon.

Other important museums outside the Golden Triangle, include the National Archaeology Museum which has an amazing collection of finds from across the peninsular and the Museo de Lazaro Galdiano which has a collection from the Spanish entrepreneur José Lázaro Galdiano (1862-1947). His wealth and love of art is such that the collection is considered one of the finest in private hands in the whole of Spain; you can find works of art by the likes of Goya, Velázquez and El Greco along with jewellery and sculptures. Finally the Museo de América is a reminder of Spain’s colonial past, with objects gathered from across the Americas. The collection includes gold gifts given to the conquerors, along with artefacts from the native tribes before the Spanish wiped them out.

Palacio Real

This palace, the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), is one of the most beautiful and important buildings in the whole of Madrid. However, the name is a little deceptive because the Royal family don’t actually live here. This is for the best, because it means you can visit the stunning building and the treasures held inside. Looking up from the courtyard you can see 870 windows and 240 balconies, whilst once inside you can find 44 stairways and more than 30 principal rooms. The building also houses the Royal Armoury, which is a two-story collection of medieval armour and weapons.

Plaza Mayor

This square was originally outside the city walls, but is now one of the most important squares in the city. It is a vast and impressive square and hosts many a symphony or tournament. It also has been, and still is, the site of many a bloody scene whether it be executions of humans in the past, or bulls in the modern day. On of the highlights of the square is the statue of Felipe III, who faces the even more beautiful Casa de la Panadería which used to be the central office of the bakers guild, and is painted in a truly delightful way.