If your idea of a great vacation is spending time in museums admiring some of the world’s finest works of art, then this itinerary is sure to delight you.
In the heart of Madrid you will find the famed “Golden Triangle of Art”, which is an area that includes the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofia museums, all located within a short walk of each other.
The Prado is one of the world’s top museums, and has one of the largest and most impressive collections in the world. In addition to having the finest collection of Spanish art from artists including Velazquez, Goya and Zurbarán, they also have an impressive collection of European art from the 12th to 19th centuries which were from the Spanish Royal Collection.
The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is home to the second largest private collection that was amassed by Heinrich, Baron Thyssen Bornemisza de Kaszón, and his son. The collection includes works by Old Masters, including Van Eyck, Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt and Frans Hals, as well as Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh and Degas.
The Reina Sofía Museum is the national museum of 20th C. art that primarily features works by Spanish artists. The most famous painting displayed in the museum is Picasso’s Guernica, which was created during the Spanish Civil War. The museum has an impressive collection of works by Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, and Juan Gris.
Please note that the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and El Greco Museum in Toledo are closed on Monday, and the Reina Sofia Museum is closed on Tuesday, so plan accordingly.
- Day 1: Madrid – Arrival day; afternoon sightseeing – for more info, click here
- Day 2: Madrid – Sightseeing
- Day 3: Madrid – Prado Museum – for more info, click here
- Day 4: Madrid – Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – for more info, click here
- Day 5: Madrid – Reina Sofia Museum – for more info, click here
- Day 6: Madrid – Day trip to Toledo (71 km) – for more info, click here
- Day 7: Madrid – Departure day
For info on our Madrid Hotels, click here, for our Prado Museum Tour, click here, for our Art and History Tour, click here
Book a private tour! You may want to consider booking a private tour. Your guide will provide you with the history and insights behind the sites you will be seeing, leaving you with a richer vacation experience. For more information on all of our Madrid tours, click here.
Photo credit: Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada (CC BY-SA 2.0) / Prado Museum – Puerta de Velázquez
For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.