City: Community of Madrid
Top Things to do in Community of Madrid
Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Community of Madrid, Spain
Madrilenian • Madrilene
Restaurants in Community of Madrid
1. Prado National Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56,733 reviews
The Prado has one of the largest art collections in the world, and is best known for its diverse assortment of works by Velasquez, Goya and El Greco.
Reviewed By EricM59cc - Miami Beach, United States
Must see attraction in Madrid, beautifully organized and great collection from Spanish masters and some extra bonus with masterpieces by Bosh, Rubens,... Highly recommended.
2. Royal Palace of Madrid
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34,553 reviews
Luxurious, over-the-top rococo palace with over 2,000 opulently gilded rooms.
Reviewed By WizWiz - England, United Kingdom
The excellent audio guide was sufficient for exploring the palace without a guided tour The Palace was really impressive, the view from the Scenic viewpoint was breathtaking and the works of art inside were very antique and impressive; do make sure you include a visit to the armoury. Overall, the sheer splendour of the palace was breathtaking, every one of the rooms exquisite, and particularly the magnificent Throne Room. Well worth a visit
3. Parque del Retiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55,644 reviews
Peaceful urban park centered around a beautiful lake.
Reviewed By boboj885 - Madrid, Spain
This is one the most beautiful and the biggest park in Madrid. All you want you can find here, tranquility, piece, joy, lake, glass house, you can rent a boat and enjoy in the lake or walk in the botanical garden or just gather with your friends and enjoy in the beauty of this huge park.
4. Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16,537 reviews
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum offers visitors an overview of art from the 13th century to the late 20th century. In the nearly one thousand works on display, visitors can contemplate the major periods and pictorial schools of western art such as the Renaissance, Mannerism, the Baroque, Rococo, Romanticism and the art of the 19th and 20th centuries up to Pop Art. The museum also features works from some movements not represented in state-owned collections, such as Impressionism, Fauvism, German Expressionism and the experimental avant-garde movements of the early 20th century. In addition, it boasts an important collection of 19th-century American painting not found in any other European museum institutions. Permanent collection hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00 to 19.00 Monday: 12.00 - 16.00* *Free entry with the sponsorship of Mastercard.
Reviewed By barryb487
On a prior visit to Madrid, I'd toured the Prado and Reina Sofia, both of which are excellent and well reputed museums. However, the "Thyssen" proved to be my favorite art museum in Madrid for two reasons: 1) The quality of the private collection housed here is superb; and 2) The galleries within the museum are ideal for displaying the collection, light, bright, fresh...a truly pleasant experience. As an inveterate international traveler who also loves art, this was a welcome respite from many larger and somewhat overwhelming museums.
5. Royal Palace of Aranjuez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,259 reviews
Reviewed By TTW103 - Madrid, Spain
Only a short distance from Madrid, this is a must visit. The self guided tour takes c 1.5 hours (there’s also options to book a tour or download an app to guide you during your visit) and you get to see a good few, elaborately decorated, rooms and the grand staircase. The gardens can be explored separately free of charge.
6. Real Sitio de San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,275 reviews
Reviewed By tizS_11 - Rome, Italy
I took the bus 661from Moncloa Bus Terminal, and then walked 3’ to El Escorial, and entered at 10am when it opened. The place got VERY crowded so I was glad I came early. I rented the audio guide, clicked the option “3-hour audio guide extended tour” with the most perfect itinerary and excellent description of everything. You will visit: -the amazing library -the impressive church (Renaissance artists from Italy such as Federico Zuccari and Pellegrino Tibaldi were hired to decorate its interior, and there is even a marble crucifix by Cellini!) -the main cloister with the famous paining on the ceiling by Luca Giordano with the “Triumph of the Habsburgs,” the collection of paintings in the “capitular chamber” (Titian, El Greco, etc.) -the royal apartments (where the famous Garden of Earthly Delights by Bosch used to hang together with some other 20 paintings by Bosch) -the mausolea with the royal tombs (including the tomb of Philip II and Charles V) -the hall of battles -the Bourbon apartments with an amazing collection of tapestries (the products of Royal Tapestry Factory in Madrid that you must visit!), -and the gardens. I took beautiful photos of the exterior of the Escorial. No photos allowed inside! You will explore the history of Spain’s Golden Age under the powerful Philip II, also known as “the Prudent.” He has great artistic taste and was the most influential ruler of the world during the Counter-Reformation. After or before the visit do not forget to have some Spanish food in the nearby “Tan Ricamente” as the ladies there cook themselves and it seems like eating at home.
7. Valley of the Fallen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,631 reviews
The Valley of the Fallen is a Spanish monumental complex built between 1940 and 1958 and located in the valley of Cuelgamuros, in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, in the Community of Madrid. It is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, 9.5 km north of the monastery of El Escorial.
Reviewed By BernieH001 - Ennis, Ireland
We stopped here on our way from Toledo to Segovia and were impressed by the enormous scale of the monument. You drive in approx 5km from the entrance gate and are assaulted by the sheer enormity of this place. The huge granite cross built on the mountain (apparently the largest in the world), the Pieta and the enormous basilica. There is something eerie and disturbing about the entirely underground basilica built into the mountain and the gigantic angles watching over everyone. The Valley is the resting place for over 40,000 people who perished during the civil war and up until recently also was home to Franco's grave. Unfortunately no information is available at the monument so do your research before you arrive. This is well worth a trip from Madrid.
8. CentroCentro Cibeles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
9. Universidad de Alcala
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 958 reviews
Reviewed By JLR14 - Puebla, Mexico
A beautiful university, with an enormous amount of history, and symbolism. The guided tour is well worth the money, and should be done if you're in the area.
