Madrid Royal Palaces & Castles

The "pomp and circumstance" of royal Spain

Please note that this is a "suggested" private group itinerary, which can be changed to suit your interests. The tour price will depend on the number of participants, travel dates, type of hotels, etc.

The splendor of royal Spain is at its best in Madrid and the surrounding area. A few day tours from the capital city will give you a good overview of the major palaces and gardens.

The palace of Aranjuez, a grandiose summer castle that is one of the residences of the King of Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is only a short drive south of Madrid. There you can enjoy the colorful gardens and some of the best Baroque and Renaissance architecture in Spain. These huge gardens are the country's most important of the Hapsburg period.

To the north, near Segovia, is the royal residence of La Granja de San Ildefonso. This charming castle hidden in the mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama has ornate gardens reminiscent of those at the palace of Versailles in France. The formal layout of the park is dotted with dozens of sculptures, cascades and unique fountains featuring an unusual style of lead statuary painted in a bronze color.

In Madrid, the sumptuous Royal Palace, the residence of the Bourbon dynasty from the 18th century until 1931, is not to be missed of course. But the capital city is also home to several world-class museums. You can spend hours (days even) at El Prado Museum, Spain's crown jewel, studying and admiring some of the most beautiful art in the world: paintings by Velasquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens and many others. Then, walk across the street to the classical and impressionist collections of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. And further down the street, stop to tour the Reina Sofía Modern Art Museum to see the works of Salvador Dali, Joan Miró and the master himself, Pablo Picasso. The "Guernica" room always has a crowd standing in front of the famous Spanish Civil War painting.

For nature lovers, a leisurely stroll around the gardens of the Retiro Park and the Crystal Palace is a must. The Botanical Gardens are nearby. So take time for a short tour and admire their natural beauty.

There are more places to visit on this tour, of course: the Fountain of the Cibeles, the Alcalá Gate etc. But there is nothing like sitting at an outdoor cafe at the Plaza Mayor and watching the world go by.

There are many more possibilities on this tour route: El Escorial, Alcalá de Henares, etc. Let us know where and when you want to go. We will create a custom program that fits your interests and requirements.

  

Places on this route we have personally visited: Madrid, La Granja, and the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Aranjuez, El Escorial, Segovia, and Alcalá de Henares.See pictures from our trips:

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