Madrid is one of the most interesting Spanish cities to visit as it has many tourist attractions from a historical, cultural, sports and gastronomic point of view. Nevertheless, During 2016, five were the jewels of Madrid that received the most visitors throughout the year. Do you want to know the list? Will they continue to be in 2017? Keep reading!
Reina Sofia Museum
The Reina Sofía Museum was the place that attracted the most tourists in Madrid during 2016 with a total of 3.646.598 people, that is, 12,2% more than in 2015.
It is one of the most important art galleries in the capital of Spain that opened its doors almost 30 years ago with the aim of reflecting the rich contemporary Spanish art. Likewise, it continues the times that the Prado Museum does not cover, beginning to exhibit paintings from 1881.
On the other hand, it constitutes a space for research and debate through university programs and seminars with exhibitions, collections and other activities.
The Reina Sofía National Art Center Museum houses more than twenty thousand works made between the end of the XNUMXth century and today. Especially noteworthy are those of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró, Juan Gris, Robert Delaunay, Georges Braque, Yves Klein, Robert Motherwell, Francis Bacon, Richard Serra, Alexander Calder, René Magritte, Gerhard Richter, Antoni Muntadas, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Sol LeWitt or Marcel Broodthaers, among others.
The jewel in the crown is Pablo Picasso's Guernica (1937). To visit all the collections of modern art in this museum it takes several hours, as it is really large. If you want to do it with an expert guide in art and history, the price is 12 euros but it is worth it.
Museo del Prado
During 2016, the Museo Nacional del Prado was visited by 3.033.754 people, 12,50% more than in 2015. The most popular temporary exhibitions held in the museum itself have been “El Bosco. The V Centennial Exhibition »which reached 589.692 visitors,« Ingres »with 402.690 and« Georges de La Tour »which exceeded 163.750 visits.
Inaugurated on November 19, 1819, the Prado Museum received that name because it was built in the so-called Prado de los Jerónimos, occupying land near the Monastery of San Jerónimo.
The Prado Museum has the most complete collection of Spanish painting in the world. The trip can begin in the eleventh century, in front of the Mozarabic murals of the church of San Baudelio de Berlanga, continue visiting the Hispano-Flemish Gothic painting to reach the Renaissance.
The Golden Age is widely represented with works by Ribera, Zurbarán and Murillo, which help us understand the context in which Velázquez's painting arose. Straddling the eighteenth century and the nineteenth century, we find the rooms dedicated to Francisco de Goya ending in the painting of the nineteenth century, with works by Fortuny, the Madrazo and Sorolla.
At present it gathers about 8.000 paintings, more than 6.500 drawings, some 3.000 engravings and almost 2.800 pieces of decorative arts, in which a set of coins and medals also stands out.
The entrance to the Museo Nacional del Prado includes access to the collection and contemporary temporary exhibitions on the day of the visit. The price of general admission is € 15.
Warner Park
Parque Warner Madrid was placed in third position with 1,68 million visitors in 2016 with its leisure and fun offer.
From the glamor of Hollywood Boulevard to the magic of Cartoon Village to the live shows of DC Superheroes World and Warner Bros. Studios. Not forgetting the incredible attractions that put the adrenaline of those who try them to the limit. There are them for all tastes: intense, moderate and soft.
On the other hand, Parque Warner Madrid is a place very visited by families since it has a wide range of activities aimed at children, who can meet their favorite cartoon characters in person: Tweety, Bugs Bunny, the Daffy Duck or Silvestre among others.
It was inaugurated in 2002 and since then it has not stopped receiving public. The price of the tickets is 30 euros for adults and 20 euros for children.
The Royal Palace of Madrid
The Royal Palace of Madrid was visited by 1.475.421 people last year. It sits on the site of the old Alcázar of Madrid, an old medieval fortress that Kings Carlos I and Felipe II converted into a royal residence. In 1734 a terrible fire destroyed it and the then King Felipe V ordered the construction of the current palace. However, it was not until the reign of Carlos III, years later, when a monarch could inhabit said palace. His successors took care to add decorative objects such as clocks, chandeliers and furniture of all kinds.
The Throne Room and the Gasparini Chamber constitute the most representative ensembles of the taste of Carlos III, attached to the Rococo style in its most exuberant Italian version. Important neoclassical ensembles and pieces of French furniture are owed to Carlos IV and to Fernando VII, the collection of French chandeliers in bronze and glass. The last decorative renovation to which the current historical state of the decoration responds is due to Alfonso XII in 1879.
The Royal Armory of the Royal Palace is considered one of the most important collections of its kind. It preserves weapons and armor belonging to the kings of Spain and other members of the Royal Family since the XNUMXth century.
At present, HM the King uses the palace for his audiences, as it continues to be the official residence of the King of Spain.
Panoramic image of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
Santiago Bernabeu
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium was fifth on the list thanks to the 1,2 million people who came to visit it. The temple of Madridismo has become one of the main tourist attractions for all those who visit the capital.
Real Madrid has a multitude of important European and international trophies and opens the doors of its stadium for football lovers to visit its historic facilities. Touring the stadium, visiting the Real Madrid museum with its collection of trophies, sitting on the bench like the club's main stars or stepping on the legendary Bernabeu lawn is an option chosen by many visitors to the city every year.