The name may be a challenge for English speakers, but Madrid’s newest art museum is very easy to love for individuals of any nationality. Drawn from the possessions collected over generations of a wealthy family, the contents form one of the greatest gatherings of paintings in the world. The museum got its beginning when the […]

One of the most visited tourist spots in Madrid, the Prado Museum is home to over 7,000 paintings. Though the emphasis is heavily on the three most famous Spanish masters – Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco – there are major and minor masterpieces from dozens of other artists. Surrounded by beautiful botanical gardens, visitors have […]

Barefoot nuns might sound like the premise for a comedy skit, but rest assured these sisters are no joke. The Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales is both a functioning convent and a treasure trove of art. Founded by the daughter of Charles V in 1559 as a retreat for noblewomen, the nunnery has maintained its […]

Going to a library isn’t most tourists’ idea of a good time. But if you visit Madrid and don’t stop into the Biblioteca Nacional for at least an hour you’ll be missing out on one of the city’s finest attractions. The facade alone is worth spending time viewing. Neoclassical, and an excellent version it is, […]

Madrid has a long and complex history. Center of power of a monarchy that for centuries ruled half the world, it is now one of the major tourist spots of Europe. Once ground zero of the Spanish Inquisition it is now best known for its zestful nightclubs, outstanding shopping centers, and life-celebrating art. Any trip […]