A Day Walk in Madrid

We arrive in Madrid for a short visit and, after checking into our hotel, start to wander from the Madrid Atocha train station which opened in 1892 and had its tracks removed 100 years later in 1992, becoming a beautiful botanical garden.

Madrid Atocha station

From the train station, we stroll past the Reina Sofia Museum (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia), home to a large collection of modern and contemporary Spanish art, and the Museum Thyssen-Bornemsiza, holding masterpieces spanning a 700-year period.  Together with the Prado, these museums comprise Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. 

Museums

Passing the museums, we stroll down the Paseo del Prado, Madrid's wide, tree-lined main boulevard.

Paseo del Prado

Our next stop (for pictures) is the Prado Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado), featuring masterpieces of the Spanish, Italian, and Flemish schools.

Prado

Near the Prado, we pass the Church of Saint Jerome el Real (the Royal), for centuries the de facto cathedral, close to the royal palace and serving as the location for the investure of princes and kings.

Churco of Saint Jerome el Real

We admire the fountain at Plaza Neptuno and the exclusive Palace Hotel and continue on Plaza de Cibeles, one of the most beautiful squares in Madrid.

Plaza Neptuno, Palace Hotel

Plaza de Cibeles