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Prado Museum
2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Prado Museum

9.9
4.7/5
1.3k reviews

The building that today houses the Museo Nacional del Prado was designed by architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785. It was constructed to house the Natural History Cabinet, by orders of King Charles III. However, the building's final purpose - as the new Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures - was the decision of the monarch's grandson, King Ferdinand VII, encouraged by his wife Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza. The Royal Museum, soon quickly renamed the National Museum of Paintings and Sculptures and subsequently the Museo Nacional del Prado, opened to the public for the first time in November 1819. Since it was founded in 1819 and over its multi-century history, the Museo Nacional del Prado has performed the important task of conserving, exhibiting and enriching a set of collections and works of art which, due to their close ties with Spanish history, are recognized as one of the most valuable compendiums of artistic expression known to humanity. Loans to temporary exhibitions are the Museum's most direct means of communication with society. They offer the opportunity of reinterpreting the collections while linking them to currentl issues. At the same time, they also provide an especially attractive scope for museography allowing for experimentation on new styles and technologies. They contribute to projecingt a new identity of the Museum by encouraging innovation, research and the public interest in its collections. With this intention in mind, the Museo Nacional del Prado offers its visitors a wide exhibition program while contributing to the promotion of its collections through the loan of works from its collection to exhibition projects organised by other cultural institutions, both national and international.

Madrid · 1 km from downtown
Las Ventas Bullring
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Las Ventas Bullring

8.8
4.2/5
305 reviews

Designed by architect José Espelius and built in the Neo-Mudéjar style, Las Ventas Bullring features red brick walls adorned with Arabesque carvings and arched windows, while its exterior walls are inlaid with ceramics depicting the coats of arms of Spanish provinces. Construction was completed in 1929, and the bullring officially opened in 1931. It has four tiers of circular stands and can accommodate approx. 23,000 spectators. Shaped like a Roman amphitheater, the bullring is covered with fine sand and surrounded by tiered iron fences that separate the spectator stands from the arena, with separate passageways for bullfighters, medical staff, and bulls to enter and exit. This is an important symbol of Spanish bullfighting culture. The San Isidro Bullfighting Festival held every May is a major bullfighting event of the year, when renowned bullfighters from all over gather here. The main entrance of the bullring is known as the "Puerta Grande" (Big Gate), and only victorious bullfighters are eligible to exit through this gate and receive the cheers of the audience. The venue has a total of 18 entrances and exits, and the ceramic decorations of provincial coats of arms on the brick walls make the main entrance area particularly striking. During your visit, you can overlook the entire venue layout from the upper spectator stands, then enter the bullring to experience the atmosphere firsthand. A bullfighting museum is located at the exit, divided into five exhibition areas that showcase the history and art of Spanish bullfighting, where you can admire prints by the painter Goya depicting bullfighting scenes.

Madrid · 3.8 km from downtown
Puerta del Sol
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Puerta del Sol

7.7
4.6/5
594 reviews

Puerta del Sol is the central square of Madrid, surrounded by many historic buildings. The square is now a venue for major parades and gatherings as well as a place for citizens and visitors to relax and entertain. Whether day or night, it is always crowded and full of vitality. Public square buildings Puerta del Sol is semicircular, surrounded by buildings, many of which can be called the essence of Madrid's urban architecture. To the south of Puerta del Sol stands the iconic old post office building (La Casa de Correos). This ancient building on the square is red and white, resembling a majestic palace. The clock tower in the center of the building is very famous. Every New Year's Eve, people in Madrid gather here. At the stroke of midnight, they eat 12 grapes symbolizing good luck to celebrate the arrival of the new year. "Zero starting point marker" On the pedestrian walkway in front of the post office building, there is a sign marked "0 starting point" (Kilómetro Cero). All highway milestones across Spain are calculated outward from here, and the street numbers in Madrid also start from this point. "Bear and raspberry statue" The iconic "Bear and Strawberry Tree" statue (Estatua del Oso y el Madroño) in Madrid is located in the eastern part of Puerta del Sol. This statue replaced the remains of the former Puerta del Sol gate and is now a highly popular city symbol of Madrid. The charming little bear stands upright with its front paws holding the strawberry tree in front of it, appearing remarkably lifelike. Today, this spot is also a meeting place for many locals. Statue of Charles III On the west side of Puerta del Sol stands the equestrian statue of Charles III (Estatua ecuestre de Carlos III), next to which is a large fountain surrounded by colorful flowers, with steps around it for visitors to rest. In addition, the Sol subway station building on the square is itself a highlight, its arched glass structure glistening in the sunlight, and its avant-garde shell-like shape stands out among the traditional classical buildings around the square. Public square events You can freely admire the sights and take photos in the square, or sit by the fountain, feed the pigeons, and enjoy wonderful street performer shows. The area around Puerta del Sol is also a commercial district, where you can find Sephora, Springfield, and the Real Madrid flagship store, and you can also see the building topped with the Tío Pepe sherry neon billboard. El Corte Inglés is also just steps away. The road to the north of the square leads to Gran Vía, while the Callao commercial area lies to the west, making it a great place for shopping. In addition, the alleys south of the square are home to many bars and cafes, which are very characteristic of Madrid and affordably priced. You might want to try the experience of beer paired with tapas (Madrid bar snacks). Midnight views Puerta del Sol is also particularly lively at night. As the lights come on and the crowds surge, Puerta del Sol at this moment perhaps better captures the essence of Madrid's nightlife. The street youths showing off their dance moves, the sentimental saxophonists, the whispering couples... all form a beautiful sight. If you happen to come here at midnight and face the still-crowded square and the waves of cheers, please don't be surprised. This city is telling you in its own unique way: Welcome to Puerta del Sol, welcome to the sleepless Madrid!

Madrid · 29m from downtown

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What travelers say about Madrid

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201***83October 10, 2026
5.0
Actually, I missed the meeting point because I didn't pay attention to the ticket instructions; the meeting point wasn't at the palace entrance. I had to buy a separate ticket to get in, but it was definitely worth it. The palace is incredibly luxurious and magnificent, with stunning interiors. It was a truly worthwhile trip.

Royal Palace of Madrid

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wendy0511October 12, 2026
5.0
The good thing about the Prado is that photography isn't allowed, so I can't upload photos of the exhibition halls, but I can upload a picture of the entrance. The classic Las Meninas is still very impressive, and there were many people looking at it. There are also many famous works by Goya, Velázquez, Bosch, and many others. Last time, I visited three floors and countless halls, but I couldn't see everything. It was a visual feast, and I can only marvel at how talented the older generation of European painters were! The paintings are so beautiful!

Prado Museum

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Captain Wang 冲上云霄😎July 26, 2026
5.0
The Las Bantas bullring is a highly controversial traditional cultural landmark in Madrid, and we came specifically to watch a live bullfight. The neo-Mudéjar style red-brick amphitheater is magnificent, with a fantastic atmosphere. Learning about the complete process and history of bullfighting beforehand makes it easier to introduce this Spanish tradition to children objectively. The entire performance is highly ceremonial, with the bullfighters' elaborate costumes and elegant movements being extremely entertaining. However, the performance involves bloodshed, as the bull expends its energy before its demise. Watching it up close evoked complex emotions; we understood its role in carrying centuries of local culture, but also felt a pang of pity for the bull. We recommend that tourists traveling with children prepare themselves mentally beforehand and approach this controversial tradition with a rational perspective. A once-in-a-lifetime experience to feel a unique culture is sufficient; those who are sensitive to graphic violence should consider carefully before purchasing tickets.

Las Ventas Bullring

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Anonymous userNovember 6, 2026
4.0
Contains lots of drawings and art, recommended stay around 2 hours

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

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TTTTTTeddyXXXXXXOctober 17, 2026
5.0
When traveling to Spain, if you're passing through Madrid, a visit to Real Madrid's home stadium is a must. Buying tickets online and checking in directly via QR code is incredibly convenient. You can tour the stadium, see past trophies, and visit the fan shop, but the itinerary is a bit rushed; one hour is a bit tight.

Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

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Traveller00001August 1, 2023
5.0
travelled to Madrid during summer weather was hot lots of people, tourists great view enjoyed their facility, safety, stays, and people. public transports are convenient. very very amazing trip. good thing about Madrid was their gelato were amazing, especially yogurt ice cream. during summer, nights were short. so you can enjoy endless view and endless evening. definitely great to travel during summer but price is a little bit off, but definite worth I would say. great overall!

Puerta del Sol

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Anonymous userOctober 28, 2026
4.0
This second time I come for this show. It’s really good and fantastic.

Teatro Flamenco Madrid

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Anonymous userJanuary 30, 2026
5.0
With its rich and high-quality collection, it truly deserves its status as a world-class art museum. Spanning two floors, the second floor houses Impressionist and Modern art, while the third floor features Renaissance and Baroque art. It boasts not only Spanish paintings but also masterpieces by Dutch, French, and Italian artists. A thorough visit would take at least four to five hours. A must-see for art lovers.

Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum

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MezzcalicoOctober 24, 2024
5.0
Great theme park, with attractions for all the ages and enthusiasm. I reccomend the Superman ride, the stunt fall and the visit to the rapids. And the Stunt show is really nice!

Parque Warner Madrid

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徐徐霞客RrJuly 6, 2022
5.0
Spain, Plaza de España This square looks very simple, but with the lake and the pigeons, it is not so monotonous and looks very romantic. I sat here for an afternoon and felt very relaxed.

Plaza de España (Madrid)

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What are the must-do things in Madrid?

Don't miss these attractions in Madrid: Royal Palace of Madrid, Prado Museum, and Las Ventas Bullring. If you like Culture & history, try Toledo Half or Full Day Tour with Optional Lunch from Madrid. If you enjoy Food & drink, try Madrid Premium Personalised Small Group Tapas & Drinks Tour.

You can give Madrid Premium Personalised Small Group Tapas & Drinks Tour and Tapas & Wine Tour in Madrid's city centre Small Group a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

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