Embark on a whirlwind tour of Sur with a day packed full of history, art, and architecture. Begin your journey at the Royal Palace of Madrid, where you'll spend 1.5 hours marveling at the opulence of royal living. Next, stroll through the Plaza Mayor for an hour, taking in the grandeur of the monuments and the vibrant atmosphere of the square. A short walk leads you to the Puerta del Sol, where you'll be greeted by iconic sculptures and statues during a brief 30-minute visit. Conclude your cultural excursion with a 2-hour exploration of the Prado Museum, home to an extensive collection of European art. This itinerary is designed to immerse you in the essence of Sur, all within the span of a single day.
Day 1: Majestic Madrid - A Royal and Artistic Journey
Royal Palace of Madrid
Begin your Madrid adventure with a visit to the grand Royal Palace of Madrid, a regal residence boasting opulent architecture and a rich history. As the first stop of your day, allocate about 1.5 hours to immerse yourself in the splendor of royal life, exploring the palace's lavishly decorated rooms and absorbing the stories of monarchs 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, stroll over to the heart of Madrid's social life at Plaza Mayor, just a short walk from the palace. Spend an hour in this historic square, surrounded by monumental buildings and vibrant atmosphere. It's the perfect spot to witness the city's pulse, with its array of traditional shops and cafes set against a backdrop of impressive architecture.
Attraction Info
- Pl. Mayor, 28012 Madrid, Spain
- Suggested tour duration: 1-2 hour
Puerta del Sol
A mere stone's throw away is Puerta del Sol, the bustling square that's home to the famous sculpture statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree. This iconic symbol of Madrid requires only a brief 30-minute visit, but it's a pivotal point in the city where roads radiate outwards, offering a snapshot of the capital's energetic vibe.
Attraction Info
- Puerta del Sol, Madrid, Spain
- Suggested tour duration: 0.5-1 hour
Prado Museum
Conclude your day with a cultural deep dive at the Prado Museum, one of the world's premier art galleries. With a 2-hour visit, you'll have the opportunity to admire an extensive collection of European art, featuring masterpieces by renowned artists such as Velázquez, Goya, and Rubens. Let the Prado's treasures be the perfect finale to your day of royal and artistic exploration in Madrid.
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 Sur-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.