Royal Palaces & Landmarks

Madrid’s architectural legacy is defined by its Bourbon-era grandeur and neoclassical design. This collection highlights the city's monarchical history through sites like the Sabatini Gardens and the 16th-century El Pardo hunting lodge. It features the 'Golden Triangle of Art' housed in aristocratic structures like the Villahermosa Palace and Juan de Villanueva’s Prado Museum. From the iron-and-glass Crystal Palace in Retiro Park to the eclectic Cibeles Palace and the lion-guarded Congress of Deputies, these landmarks showcase centuries of Spanish political and cultural heritage.

Crystal Palace

19th-century glass and iron exhibition building originally constructed as a greenhouse for tropical plants during a colonial exhibition. It currently hosts contemporary art installations and is a national monument.

Cibeles Palace

Historic neo-gothic palace serving as city hall and cultural center, recognized as a national monument with eclectic architectural style.

Sabatini Gardens

Formal neoclassical gardens divided into three terraces featuring geometric designs, statues, fountains, and large cedar trees. The gardens provide scenic views of a royal palace and include a maze and several fountains.

Plaza de Oriente

Historic square featuring formal gardens and a collection of sculptures, located adjacent to royal landmarks including a palace and an opera theater.

Palace of El Pardo

Originally commissioned by King Henry III as a hunting lodge, the small castle was turned into a palace during the reign of Carlos V by the…

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Thyssen-Bornemisza is a celebrated museum which houses one of the largest collections of art in the world - more than 1,600 paintings.

Congress of Deputies

Historic neoclassical palace serving as the seat of the Spanish Congress, known for its allegorical sculptures and architectural significance.

Prado Museum

National art museum housed in a neoclassical building, featuring an extensive collection of European paintings from renowned masters such as Goya, Velázquez, and Rembrandt.