Embark on a whirlwind tour of Cuenca del Medio Jarama's most iconic landmarks with our carefully curated 1-day itinerary. Begin your journey at the Royal Palace of Madrid, a majestic residence that exudes regal elegance. Spend 1.5 hours marveling at the palace's opulent rooms and storied history. Next, meander through the bustling Plaza Mayor, a grand square surrounded by monuments that tell tales of Madrid's past, where you'll spend an hour soaking in the vibrant atmosphere. A short stroll away is the Puerta del Sol, a hub of activity marked by its famous sculpture statue. Here, you'll have 30 minutes to capture photos and experience the pulse of the city. Conclude your day with a 2-hour visit to the Prado Museum, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces that will leave you in awe. This compact itinerary is designed to showcase the essence of Cuenca del Medio Jarama's cultural and historical splendor, making it an unforgettable day trip.
Day 1: Majestic Madrid - A Royal and Cultural Journey
Royal Palace of Madrid
Kickstart your Madrid adventure with the grandeur of the Royal Palace of Madrid, an essential first stop on our day's exploration. As the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, this palace is a testament to opulence and history. Spend about 1.5 hours marveling at the stunning architecture and the rich collections of art, armor, and furnishings that tell tales of Spain's regal past.
Attraction Info
- C. de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, España
- Suggested tour duration: 1.5-2 hour
- Open from 01/07-03/31,Mon-Sat,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 01/07-03/31,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Open from 04/01-04/30,Mon-Sat,10:00am-7:00pm;Open from 04/01-04/30,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Closed all day on 05/01;Open from 05/02-09/30,Mon-Sat,10:00am-7:00pm;Open from 05/02-09/30,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Open from 10/01-10/11,Mon-Sat,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 10/01-10/11,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Open from 10/12-12/23,Mon-Sat,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 10/12-12/23,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Open 10:00am-3:00pm on 12/24;Closed all day on 12/25;Open from 12/26-12/30,Mon-Sat,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 12/26-12/30,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Open 10:00am-3:00pm on 12/31;Closed all day on 01/01;Open from 01/02-01/05,Mon-Sat,10:00am-6:00pm;Open from 01/02-01/05,Sun,10:00am-4:00pm;Closed all day on 01/06,In addition to the closures already planned, there may be additional closures also due to the celebration of official events. The business hours of attraction change frequently, please refer to the official website and actual situation.
Recommended Nearby Restaurants
Plaza Mayor
Next, immerse yourself in the heart of Madrid's vibrant life at Plaza Mayor. Just a short stroll from the royal residence, this iconic square is surrounded by historic monuments and buzzing with activity. Allocate an hour to wander through the arcades, admire the statues, and perhaps enjoy a café con leche at one of the outdoor terraces, soaking in the atmosphere of this emblematic site.
Attraction Info
- Pl. Mayor, 28012 Madrid, Spain
- Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Puerta del Sol
A mere stone's throw away from Plaza Mayor, find yourself at Puerta del Sol, a bustling hub adorned with significant sculptures and statues. This half-hour visit will allow you to witness the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes at New Year's, and the 'Kilometre Zero' plaque, the point from which all distances in Spain are measured.
Attraction Info
- Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain
- Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
Prado Museum
Conclude your day with a cultural feast for the senses at the Prado Museum, Spain's premier art gallery. With a generous 2 hours, delve into an exceptional collection of European art, where masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco await. The Prado is not just a museum; it's a journey through the rich tapestry of human history and creativity.
Attraction Info
- C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, España
- Suggested tour duration: 2-3 hour
- Closed all day on 01/01;Open from 01/02-01/05,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 01/08-01/13,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 01/15-01/20,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 01/22-01/27,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 01/29-02/03,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 02/05-02/10,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 02/12-02/17,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 02/19-02/24,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 02/26-03/02,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 03/04-03/09,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 03/11-03/16,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 03/18-03/23,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 03/25-03/27,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 03/29-03/30,10:00am-8:00pm;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 01/07;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 01/14;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 01/21;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 01/28;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 02/04;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 02/11;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 02/18;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 02/25;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 03/03;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 03/10;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 03/17;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 03/24;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 03/28;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 03/31;Open from 04/01-04/06,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 04/08-04/13,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 04/15-04/20,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 04/22-04/27,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 04/29-04/30,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 05/03-05/04,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 05/06-05/11,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 05/13-05/14,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 05/16-05/18,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 05/20-05/25,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 05/27-06/01,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 06/03-06/08,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 06/10-06/15,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 06/17-06/22,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 06/24-06/29,10:00am-8:00pm;Closed all day on 05/01;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 04/07;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 04/14;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 04/21;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 04/28;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/02;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/05;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/12;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/15;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/19;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 05/26;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 06/02;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 06/09;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 06/16;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 06/23;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 06/30;Open from 07/01-07/06,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 07/08-07/13,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 07/15-07/20,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 07/22-07/27,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 07/29-08/03,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 08/05-08/10,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 08/12-08/14,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 08/16-08/17,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 08/19-08/24,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 08/26-08/31,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 09/02-09/07,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 09/09-09/14,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 09/16-09/21,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 09/23-09/28,10:00am-8:00pm;Open 10:00am-8:00pm on 09/30;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 07/07;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 07/14;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 07/21;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 07/28;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 08/04;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 08/11;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 08/15;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 08/18;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 08/25;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 09/01;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 09/08;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 09/15;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 09/22;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 09/29;Open from 10/01-10/05,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 10/07-10/11,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 10/14-10/19,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 10/21-10/26,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 10/28-10/31,10:00am-8:00pm;Open 10:00am-8:00pm on 11/02;Open from 11/04-11/08,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/11-11/16,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/18-11/23,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 11/25-11/30,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 12/02-12/05,10:00am-8:00pm;Open 10:00am-8:00pm on 12/07;Open from 12/09-12/14,10:00am-8:00pm;Open from 12/16-12/21,10:00am-8:00pm;Open 10:00am-8:00pm on 12/23;Open from 12/26-12/28,10:00am-8:00pm;Open 10:00am-8:00pm on 12/30;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 10/06;Open from 10/12-10/13,10:00am-7:00pm;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 10/20;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 10/27;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 11/01;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 11/03;Open from 11/09-11/10,10:00am-7:00pm;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 11/17;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 11/24;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 12/01;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 12/06;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 12/08;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 12/15;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 12/22;Open 10:00am-7:00pm on 12/29;Open 10:00am-2:00pm on 01/06;Open 10:00am-2:00pm on 12/24;Open 10:00am-2:00pm on 12/31;Closed all day on 12/25
Top Things to Do in Cuenca del Medio Jarama-2024
• Witness centuries of Spanish history and the royal family
• Welcome almost 2 million visitors every year to discover its rooms, works of art and treasures that are unique in the world
• Conbine traditional Spanish and Baroque architectural styles with over 135,000 square metres and 3,418 rooms
△ Once the castle of Arab rulers in the 9th century, it was later recaptured by Christians and became the residence of kings of all generations. The palace was destroyed in 1734, and rebuilt in 1764.
△ As one of the most grand and best-reserved palaces in the world, Royal Palace of Madrid boasts more than 3,000 rooms. Worthy of attention are the five violins made by the Stradivari family in the palace's collection.
△ Decorated with gold ornaments, royal red velvet floors and walls, chandeliers as grand as the room itself, and admire the ceiling painted by Tiepolo. Marvel at the main staircase, designed by Sabatini and comprising over 70 steps.
• Boast numerous Spanish and European collections, as famous as the Louvre Museum and the British National Gallery
• Visit permanent and temporary exhibitions and have in-depth exchanges with the creative artists
• Collect works of Michelangelo and Raphael among the "Three Masters of the Renaissance"
△ The Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia National Art Center and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum of Art are known as "Madrid Art Golden Triangle".
△ The main part of the Prado Museum is the Palacio de Villanueva (Palacio de Villanueva), built in 1785, which is a model of neoclassical architecture. The facade is supported by Greek-style white columns, with a bronze statue of Velazquez holding a pen and meditating, facing the Prado Avenue.
△ The Prado Museum has three floors. If time is limited, you can go up to the first floor to appreciate the key paintings, and then go downstairs to the ground floor. In addition, decorative arts and tableware are displayed on the second floor of the attic and basement.
• House one of the the world’s most famous and iconic modern art masterpieces, Guernica by Picasso, from the late nineteenth century to the present day
• Discover the National Museum that is dedicated to Spanish expressionist and impressionist art
• Marvel at extensive collections of Spain's three greatest 20th-century masters Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro
△ This is one of the most important contemporary art museums in the world, exhibiting the work of Spanish and international artists. It is a place of artistic vanguard and is part of Madrid's popular "Art Corridor"
* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.
* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.