Cosa vedere a Madrid, cosa fare: dal Museo del Prado alla Puerta del Sol

Madrid is the third most populous municipality in the European Union (about 6.5 million inhabitants between the metropolitan area and suburbs); the main financial hub and largest city of Spain, the major center of Southern Europe. Madrid is first, overall, in domestic tourism and fourth in the European context.

Madrid is undoubtedly one of the most globalized cities on the planet, which alongside an ultra-modern profile has managed to preserve its ancient heart, offering visitors streets, neighborhoods, palaces, gardens, and museums that tell its history and traditions. It has a lively cultural and social life, which contradicts the common belief that to experience the movida you must go to Barcelona. Madrid in two days, three days, or a week is a matter of choice. The Spanish capital is rich in points of interest, museums, attractions, and venues. Therefore, if you have time, it is recommended to visit it not only for a day as the question of what to see in Madrid in three days has many answers.

Madrid Sehenswürdigkeiten

Sehenswürdigkeiten in Madrid. Trotz der Größe und des Biorhythmus einer großen Hauptstadt, Madrid weiß auch den faulsten Touristen zufriedenzustellen, indem es einige der prestigeträchtigsten Museen und Kunstgalerien (die für sich allein die Reise wert sind) in sehr kurzer Entfernung zueinander konzentriert. So zum Beispiel das Museo del Prado, wo man die Meisterwerke italienischer, spanischer und flämischer Künstler aus dem 15. bis 19. Jahrhundert bewundern kann; das Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, das unter anderem das berühmte Gemälde Guernica von Pablo Picasso beherbergt; und die Sammlung Thyssen Bornemisza, die vor einigen Jahren aus Lugano in der Schweiz hierher verlegt wurde. Alle in nur wenigen Minuten zu Fuß erreichbar entlang des Paseo del Prado.

Madrid Puerta del Sol

Wer hingegen sich nicht durch Entfernungen abschrecken lässt und sich gut mit öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln auskennt, kann Madrid ganz entspannt zwischen dem Königspalast und dem Escorial mit dem imposanten Kloster und der prachtvollen königlichen Residenz erkunden; zwischen dem Retiro-Park und dem Geburtshaus des großen Miguel Cervantes; zwischen dem Plaza Mayor und der Puerta del Sol, wo sich die Madrilenen an Silvester treffen, um den Jahreswechsel zu feiern: Traditionell isst man für jeden Glockenschlag der Mitternacht eine Weintraube, und es ist eine auch mit kleinem Budget besuchbare Hauptstadt.

Madrid Sehenswürdigkeiten

1 Museo del Prado Madrid

Entlang des Paseo del Prado befindet sich eines der bekanntesten Museen der Welt: das Museo del Prado. Seine Ursprünge gehen auf das Jahr 1819 zurück und es wurde auf Wunsch der Königin Isabella von Braganza gegründet, die ein öffentliches Kunstmuseum in Spanien nach dem Vorbild des Louvre wollte. Im Inneren der Kunstgalerie befinden sich volle sieben Jahrhunderte Kunstgeschichte (8.600 Gemälde und über 700 Skulpturen). Es ist praktisch unmöglich, das Museo del Prado in wenigen Stunden zu besichtigen, angesichts des Reichtums der ausgestellten Werke. Ein Besuch bei der Rückkehr wird empfohlen oder alternativ die Wahl einer Epoche oder Künstler, die man nicht verpassen möchte.

Museo Madrid del Prado: Öffnungszeiten und Preise

Von Montag bis Samstag von 10:00 bis 20:00 Uhr. Sonntags und an allen Feiertagen von 10:00 bis 19:00 Uhr. Letzter Einlass eine halbe Stunde vor Schließung. Das Museum ist am 1. Januar, 1. Mai und 25. Dezember geschlossen. Die Ticketpreise reichen von 16 Euro (Vollpreis) bis 8 Euro (ermäßigt). Behinderte, Minderjährige (unter 18 Jahren) und Studenten bis 25 Jahre haben freien Eintritt.

In manchen Jahreszeiten kann es eine lange Schlange beim Ticketkauf geben. Die gute Nachricht ist, dass du die Warteschlange überspringen kannst, indem du die Online-Tickets kaufst, die dir auch die Auswahl von Führungen im Museo del Prado ermöglichen.

Things to See in Madrid

2 Madrid Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is located on Calle Bailen and is currently the official residence of the monarchs who lived here until 1931. After a fire in 1734, the Royal Palace of Madrid was designed to be majestic and much larger than the previous one, by Philip V. The project was not fully completed but an imposing building was constructed nonetheless. Inside the Royal Palace you can visit: the Throne Room, the Salon de Columnas, the Salon de Alabarderos, the apartments of Charles III with the adjoining pharmacy, and the Royal Armory. The Royal Palace is surrounded by the “Campo del Moro” gardens in English style.

Royal Palace: hours and useful information

From October to March

Monday-Saturday: from 9:30 to 17:00; Sunday: from 9:00 to 14:00.

From April to September

Monday-Saturday: from 9:00 to 18:00; Sunday: from 9:00 to 15:00.

“Campo del Moro” Gardens

From October to March

Monday-Saturday: from 10:00 to 18:00; Sunday: from 9:00 to 18:00.

From April to September

Monday-Saturday: from 10:00 to 20:00; Sunday: from 9:00 to 20:00.

Skip the line for tickets to the Royal Palace of Madrid.

What to visit in Madrid

3 Plaza Mayor Madrid

Madrid Spain. Plaza Mayor of Madrid is a square surrounded by beautiful buildings with porticos, among which stands out, also for historical interest, the Palacio de la Panaderia, an old bakery. In the eighteenth century it was completely renovated due to a fire. In the center of the square stands the equestrian statue of Philip III. At Plaza Mayor, as is easily deduced, several important streets of the city converge such as Calle Mayor, Calle Toledo, Calle Segovia.

4 Plaza Santa Ana Madrid

Plaza Santa Ana in Madrid is reachable by metro, Anton Martin station. It is one of the most famous squares of the Spanish capital and has undergone various restorations over time. It is the heart of the Bario de los Literatos and is a very lively place in the city. Plaza Santa Ana is a very popular spot in Madrid and is full of bars, restaurants, hotels, and theaters. Here you can find the Casa Museo of Lope de Vega, open from Tuesday to Friday (9:30-14:00) and on Saturdays with free admission (10:00-14:00).

5 Plaza de la Villa Madrid

At Plaza de la Villa in Madrid stands the city hall of Madrid called the Ayuntamiento. It consists of towers and rooms frescoed by Francisco Goya. In the square there is also the Torre de los Lujanes and in the center, the statue of Alvaro de Bazan, protagonist of the Battle of Lepanto.

6 Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas Madrid

Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas in Madrid is the arena square for bullfights. Built in the 1930s, it becomes lively during the Feria de San Isidro (patron saint of the city), between May and June. Inside is the museum with free entry. Hours: from March to October, Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 14:30; Sundays and bullfight days from 9:00 to 13:00. From November to February, Monday to Friday, from 9:30 to 14:30.

7 Monastery of the Discalced Royals Madrid

Monastery of the Discalced Royals in Madrid is a convent dating back to the 16th century, built for nuns of noble birth. It is rich in tapestries, fabrics, and finely crafted utensils. It is reachable by the Sol Metro. Guided tours on even days from 10:30 to 12:45 and from 16:00 to 17:45. On Fridays from 10:30 to 12:45. Sundays and all holidays from 11:00 to 13:45.

8 Monastery of El Escorial

The Monastery of El Escorial in Madrid was built by Philip II, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is considered a true temple of 16th and 17th-century art. Residence of the kings of Spain. It features works by Titian, Giordano, El Greco, and Velazquez. The complex includes a library, museums, and the palace. It is located on Calle de Juan de Borbon y Battemberg in San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Madrid to see

9 Must-see museums in Madrid

Besides the Prado Museum which makes the trip worthwhile, there are other interesting museums in the Spanish capital.

1. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: rich in Western art collection spanning over eight centuries. It complements the Prado museum and is recommended for Western art enthusiasts. It is located at Paseo del Prado No. 8. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 19:00.
2. Lazaro Galdiano Museum: commissioned by the writer José Lázaro Galdiano, it houses a collection of ivories and enamels from the 6th century and several paintings by international artists (from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century). It is open every day except Tuesday, from 10:00 to 16:30, and is located at Calle Serrano 122.
3. Reina Sofia Museum Madrid Art Center: near the famous Atocha Station, now enriched with many shops, bars, and restaurants, is this museum housed in an old hospital. The Museum Reina Sofia Art Center contains a rich collection of 20th-century art. Works by Dalí, Miró, Picasso, Braque, among others. It is open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 21:00, while on Sunday the museum closes at 14:30. It is located at Santa Isabel, 52.
4. Archaeological Museum: located at Calle Serrano 13, the Madrid archaeological museum preserves millennia-old artifacts from Spain. It is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:30 to 20:30 and on Sunday from 9:30 to 15:00.
5. Museum of The Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando: located at Calle Alcalá No. 13, this museum contains works by Italian, Spanish and Flemish painters from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Standing out above all is Francisco Goya. The museum remains open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 15:00; on Sunday it closes half an hour earlier, at 14:30.

10 Madrid Markets: El Rastro, the flea market

Every Sunday morning, south of Plaza Mayor, between the de la Latina and Lavapies neighborhoods, the famous flea market of Madrid takes place: El Rastro. On the stalls you can find everything, from new and used clothing to souvenirs. The area is a popular neighborhood and once, the tanners lived here. Even today the neighborhood is very popular and a prey to pickpockets. It is important to keep an eye on your bag or wallet. Danger could lurk but, with the right caution, a visit is recommended.

11 Retiro Park Madrid

Retiro Park is much loved by the people of Madrid. Located west of the Prado Museum, the park is made up of gardens, lakes, monumental fountains, groves, rose gardens. Here is the sculpture of “the Fallen Angel” representing the devil falling from heaven. Two very important buildings overlook the gardens: the Velazquez Palace and the Crystal Palace. Also to visit is the “Forest of the Missing” created in memory of the victims of the 2004 attacks. The Retiro Park is located at Plaza de la Independencia and is open from 6:00 to 22:00 in winter and until midnight in summer.

12 How to get around Madrid Barajas airport

Madrid airport and Madrid Card

Madrid Barajas. The international airport of Madrid is located about 15 km northeast of the capital. Madrid flights. From Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Madrid Barajas airport, which is Madrid airport, you can reach the city center. In particular; number 200 goes to A. de America, no. 101 to Canilejas and 214 to Av. de Amarica (from Terminal 4). Madrid metro. The cost of the metro is the same as the buses, but there are Metrobus tickets for both. On average, a taxi, whose stand is at arrivals, costs about 25 euros to reach the city.

To get around Madrid, you can use different means: metro, bus, taxi, train. Thanks to the Madrid Card, it is also possible to move around the Spanish capital at a low cost.

What to do in Madrid

13 Where to eat in Madrid

In Madrid you can eat everywhere. Especially in central Madrid and at Plaza Santa Ana but also at Plaza Mayor, there are several dining spots. However, it is always best to avoid those in the square itself or too touristy. In the capital, there are several tapas bars. The best and most affordable are found in La Latina and La Lavapies. The Cafe de Chinitas is one of the best restaurants with a flamenco show. It is certainly a tourist spot but worth dining here at least once. At Palacio Gaviria, near the Porta de Sol, it is possible to attend cabaret shows or dance to dance music. Madrid’s starred restaurant is Santceloni. It is located on Paseo de la Castellana, at number 57, inside a cellar. The restaurant offers fish. Chilky, instead, at Calle Mayor 24, offers traditional madrilenian dishes. Among these, the indispensable paella, the tapas, the asados.

14 Madrid where to sleep

Regarding hospitality, the Spanish capital offers various options. Madrid hotels. Charming hotels are not numerous. However, the Spanish capital suits all budgets but not ears, since Madrid is very noisy. The advice is always to book in advance also to take advantage of flash deals but on Booking hotels have a wide selection.

15 Madrid Weather

Madrid climate. In the Spanish capital, the climate is approaching continental, with a dry climate and without excessive rainfall during the year, very hot summers, and cold winters. Madrid temperatures. Below are the temperatures in Madrid today, tomorrow, and for the next seven days.