Destinations

Spain's capital, defined by world-class art museums, a dense urban core, and a late-night social culture.

Madrid's Las Ventas — Spain's national bullring, a 1931 neo-Mudéjar monument and the center of bullfighting.

The granite ridge an hour north of Madrid, and the city's shared outdoor living room.

An world-class art gallery housing Spain's most significant collection of masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and El Greco

A Madrid reservoir with sandy bays, where the city swims when the heat gets serious.

Europe's largest palace by area, with Bourbon interiors, a major armory, and formal royal gardens.

Madrid's essential modern art museum, housing Picasso's monumental anti-war masterpiece Guernica

A world-class private art collection spanning eight centuries, bridging the gap between classical and modern masterworks

Isabelline-Gothic monastery church behind the Prado — site of royal weddings and the setting for Velázquez court scenes.

Cold river pools on the Lozoya, in a valley with a monastery at the end of it.

A 17th-century arcaded public square in central Madrid, historically used for markets and public events.

A 16th-century monastery, palace, and royal burial site built by Philip II northwest of Madrid.

A royal pleasure town of gardens and waterways, forty-five minutes south of Madrid.

A cathedral in central Madrid completed in 1993, adjacent to the Royal Palace.

Madrid's barrio of second-hand shops, bars and late nights, north of Gran Via.

Round 17th-century Baroque church completely lined with frescoes by Luca Giordano — a hidden, dome-lit jewel in Chamberí.

A Gothic castle on the reservoir edge, under the granite of La Pedriza.

The best rooftop view in the city centre, on the Gran Via.

The Renaissance facade and courtyards of Spain's first planned university city.

The painter's house and garden: a small museum that is really a home.

A real Egyptian temple, given to Spain, standing in a park above the old royal grounds.

Madrid's most mixed neighbourhood: immigrant kitchens, bars and cheap rent.

Madrid's lush royal retreat, featuring a serene boating lake, glass pavilion, and a peaceful escape from the city heat

The Lozoya valley's village of monasteries and river pools, an hour from Madrid.

The mountain town built to serve the monastery, fifty minutes from Madrid by train.

An irregular medieval plaza and anise liqueur, an hour southeast of Madrid.

Madrid's oldest quarter: Sunday market, tabernas, and steep streets down to the river.

The literary quarter between the Prado and the Plaza Mayor.

A university city of arcaded streets and brick, thirty-five minutes from Madrid by train.

The kilometre-zero square where the city converges.

A slate village of steep lanes, an hour north of Madrid.

A walled town on a bend of the Lozoya, an hour north of Madrid.

The granite boulder landscape on the south flank of the Guadarrama.

The Bourbons' spring palace, in pink and white stone above the Tagus.