Paseo del Arte and the Retiro: a walk in Madrid

The 'Golden Triangle' of art along the Paseo del Prado (UNESCO Landscape of Light), with the vertical garden, then into the Retiro for the lake and glass palaces.

Best time: Start 10:00; time the Prado for its free last two hours if you prefer

The route, stop by stop

1
Reina Sofía Museum
Guernica; 90 min (closed Tue).
Spain's modern-art museum, home of Picasso's Guernica plus Dalí and Miró; the glass lifts and Nouvel extension give good views over Atocha.
2
El Brillante
Quick calamari sandwich opposite Atocha; 15 min.
A classic bar opposite Atocha station famous for its calamari sandwiches with a choice of breads; handy after the Reina Sofía or before a train.
3
CaixaForum Madrid
Look at the living wall; 10 min.
A Herzog & de Meuron conversion of an old power station that seems to float, beside Patrick Blanc's vertical garden with thousands of plants.
4
Prado Museum
Velázquez and Goya; 120 min.
Spain's national art museum (founded 1819) with the world's deepest holdings of Velázquez, Goya and El Greco, plus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights.
5
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Optional, or come back Monday free; 90 min.
A former private collection that fills the gaps of the Prado: Italian primitives, Dutch masters, Impressionists, German Expressionists and American painting, all in one compact…
6
Retiro Park
Rowing lake; 30 min.
The former royal park of the Buen Retiro, part of the UNESCO 'Landscape of Light' site since 2021: the rowing lake with Alfonso XII's monument, the Crystal Palace and the Fallen…
7
Crystal Palace (Retiro)
Free installation; 20 min.
An 1887 glass-and-iron conservatory by a pond, now used by the Reina Sofía for free contemporary installations.
8
Puerta de Alcalá
Exit the park here; 5 min.
Carlos III's neoclassical triumphal gate of 1778, the first modern triumphal arch in Europe after Rome, and a Madrid symbol.

Walking directions

Paseo del Arte and the Retiro

The route, stop by stop

More walks in Madrid