In the 18th century, Carlos III decided to expand Madrid to give it a layout worthy of a capital city. Once the wide avenue, the Paseo del Prado was built, it soon became the haunt of the high society of the day. This avenue was extended in the 19th century into the Paseo de la Castellana. These paseos, lined with shady paths and embellished with gardens, monumental fountains and grand squares have remained prestigious places. The remains of the Buen Retiro, the old royal palace, now house museums.

If you do not have too much time, it will be more than enough spend most of the time seeing the three most important museums of Madrid:

The Prado Museum: click here
The Thyssen-Bornemisza: click here
The Reina Sofía National Art Centre: click here

In addition to being home to one of the world's greatest art galleries, the range of museums and monuments on offer in the Madrid region goes much further than the well-known and deservedly admired galleries located in the "Paseo del Arte" (Art Walk) - click here -

The broad and varied range of art on offer in the region includes everything from prehistoric rock paintings through to the most avant-garde works of modern art, in addition to the ever more popular museums on science, technology, anthropology and history. ( Main Museums and Exhibitions - click here - )

Madrid's importance as the site of the Royal Court since the 16th century also means that visitors can discover the Royal Sites located in such beautiful settings as Aranjuez and San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

And finally, the last word is for Madrid's monuments. A stay in Madrid would not be complete without a visit to symbols such as the Puerta de Alcalá (the Alcalá Arch) or the Cibeles Fountain.

RELATED POINTS

Main Museums Guide: click here
Main Exhibitions Guide: click here
See interesting articles about art and culture in Madrid: click here
Paseo del Arte (Art Walk): click here
The Prado Museum: click here
The Thyssen-Bornemisza: click here
The Reina Sofía National Art Centre: click here