Madrid City Break

The Royal Palace of Madrid is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, although it is now used only for state ceremonies. Spanning over 1.4 million square feet and featuring 3,418 rooms, it is the largest functioning royal palace in Europe.

Walk through the lavishly decorated Throne Room, the Royal Armory, and the porcelain-walled chambers. Afterward, stroll through the adjacent Sabatini Gardens and visit the grand neoclassical Almudena Cathedral standing opposite the palace plaza.

Built during the reign of Philip III in 1619, the Plaza Mayor is a magnificent cobblestone square in the heart of Madrid. It is surrounded by three-story residential buildings with 237 balconies, featuring the beautifully painted facade of the Casa de la Panadería.

Walk through one of the nine arched entry porticos to enter the open plaza, which has hosted bullfights, royal coronations, and historic markets. Today, it is lined with outdoor cafe tables where you can enjoy a coffee or a traditional calamari sandwich (bocadillo de calamares).

The Prado Museum is Spain's premier national art museum, celebrated globally for housing one of the world's finest collections of European art. It features an unmatched collection of Spanish masterworks from the 12th to the early 20th centuries.

Wander the grand galleries to admire masterpiece paintings like 'Las Meninas' by Diego Velázquez, and the dramatic 'Black Paintings' of Francisco Goya. The museum also contains famous works by El Greco, Hieronymus Bosch, and Peter Paul Rubens.

Originally established as a royal retreat in the 17th century, El Retiro Park is a 350-acre green oasis in the heart of Madrid. It features a large artificial lake, monumental fountains, rose gardens, and unique glass palaces.

Rent a rowboat to paddle on the Retiro Pond under the shadow of the massive Monument to Alfonso XII, or walk through the paths to the spectacular Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal), a soaring glass-and-iron pavilion that hosts contemporary art installations.

Gran Vía is Madrid's most famous shopping avenue and entertainment boulevard. Constructed in the early 20th century to link the east and west of the city, it features grand architecture in various styles, including the iconic Metropolis Building.

Walk along the crowded sidewalks to browse international fashion brands, window-shop, and admire the grand theater facades. Often referred to as the 'Spanish Broadway', the avenue is lined with historic theaters that host major musical productions.

The Puerta del Sol is one of Madrid's busiest and most famous plazas. Originally one of the gates in the city walls that surrounded Madrid in the 15th century, it is now the zero-kilometer point (Kilómetro Cero) from which all radial roads in Spain are measured.

Walk the open plaza to see the famous bronze statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (the heraldic symbol of Madrid) and the historic clock tower of the Royal Post Office. The plaza is the traditional gathering spot for New Year's Eve celebrations.

• Eat on Tapas Time: Madrileños dine late. Lunch is usually at 2:00 PM, and dinner rarely starts before 9:30 or 10:00 PM.
• Use the Metro: Madrid's metro system is clean, safe, fast, and covers the entire city center. Buy a 10-trip Multi Card.
• Prado Free Hours: The Prado Museum offers free entry from Monday to Saturday between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and Sundays from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

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