Overview
A brush with history on an art tour of Madrid, by Paul Richardson
While the Museo del Prado alone might justify a visit to Madrid – and this tour has two sessions there – the city has other excellent collections which reinforce its reputation as one of the great art centres of Europe.
This city of Velázquez and Goya has been enormously enhanced over the years by the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection and the Reina Sofía Museum. Both these and the Prado boast superb facilities and exhibiting spaces thanks to the work of architects Jean Nouvel (Reina Sofía), Manuel Baquero and Francesc Plá (Thyssen) and Rafael Moneo (Prado) converting them into world-class galleries. Our stints at the ‘big three’ are interspersed with less-visited collections.
The great Spanish painters – including El Greco, Murillo, Velázquez, Goya and Picasso – are of course magnificently represented on the tour, but the collecting mania of the Habsburgs and Bourbons and their subjects has resulted in a wide range of artistic riches which will surprise and delight. There is a large number of outstanding paintings by Titian and Rubens, for example, and the Prado has by far the largest holding of the bizarre creations of Hieronymus Bosch.
Day 1
Fly at c. 9.15am from London Heathrow to Madrid (Iberia Airlines). Begin at the Archaeological Museum, good on ancient Iberian civilisation and Roman Spain. Settle into the hotel before dinner.
Day 2
Start with a first visit to the Prado Museum, which is among the world’s greatest art galleries, concentrating on the Spanish school. In the afternoon visit the Lázaro Galdiano Museum with works by El Greco, Goya and Murillo and then the Sorolla Museum, in the charming house of the eponymous Impressionist painter.
Day 3
Morning visit to the Royal Tapestry Factory, founded in 1721 by Phillip V with designs by Goya, many of which are still reproduced today. Continue to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, home to works by Goya, Zurbarán, Ribera and Murillo. The afternoon is spent at the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, housed in the 18th-century Palacio de Villahermosa, one of the world’s largest private art collections until its purchase by the Spanish state in 1993.
Day 4
Travel by coach to the church of San Antonio de la Florida, with fine Goya frescoes, before returning to the Prado, this time primarily to see the Italian and Netherlandish schools. The afternoon is free to allow for temporary exhibitions (details nearer the time) or a visit to the 18th-century Royal Palace.
Day 5
Walk via Herzog & de Meuron’s CaixaForum to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, one of the greatest modern art museums and home to Picasso’s Guernica plus works by Miró, Dalí and Tàpies. Fly to London Heathrow, arriving c. 6.15pm (2025) or c. 6.50pm (2024).
Dr Zahira Véliz Bomford
Dr Zahira Bomford. Independent art historian and art conservator, former Senior Conservator of Paintings at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. She completed her PhD at the Courtauld, where she has also lectured, in addition to Rice University, Houston, UCL and the V&A. She has worked in conservation at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Prado and the National Trust and has published extensively on Spanish art. In 2022 she was recognised by the College Art Association in America with a Lifetime Achievement award and also published a book with the Getty Conservation Institute on Franz Kline.
Dr Xavier Bray
Art historian specialising in Spanish art and sculpture and Director of the Wallace Collection, London. Formerly Chief Curator of Dulwich Picture Gallery and Assistant Curator of 17th and 18th-century European paintings at the National Gallery. His exhibitions include Murillo & Justino de Neve: The Art of Friendship and Goya: The Portraits. He completed his PhD at Trinity College, Dublin. Twitter: @XBray | Instagram: @xabibray
Price, per person
In 2024: Two sharing: £2,140 or £1,980 without flights. Single occupancy: £2,570 or £2,410 without flights.
In 2025: Two sharing: £2,350 or £2,090 without flights. Single occupancy: £2,780 or £2,520 without flights.
Included
Air travel (economy class) on Iberia Airlines flights (Airbus A321); private coach for transfers and excursions; accommodation as described below; breakfasts and 3 dinners with wine or beer, soft drinks, water, coffee or tea; all admissions; all tips for waiters and drivers; all taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Accommodation
NH Collection Palacio de Tepa, Madrid: a small and excellently located 5-star hotel. Rooms are comfortable and décor is contemporary. Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
How strenuous?
A good level of fitness is essential. You will be on your feet for lengthy stretches of time.
Are you fit enough to join the tour?
Group size
Between 9 and 19 participants.
Combine with
In October/November 2024:
Castile & León, 14–23 October
Roman & Medieval Provence, 18–24 October
Modern Art on the Côte d'Azur, 22–28 October
Venetian Palaces, 5–9 November
The Romans in Britain, 6–8 November
The Making of Argentina, 8–19 November
Essential India, 9–22 November
In March/April 2025:
Indian Summer, 18–29 March
Val D’Orcia and the Sienese Hills, 10–16 April
In November 2025:
Civilisations of Sicily, 20 October–1 November
Istanbul Revealed, 23–30 October
Travel advice
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
'I have been put off by cost in the past but now that I have sampled MRT I can see it is good value for money. I also enjoyed being with the like-minded group of travellers.'
'This was my first visit to Madrid and I feel I’ve had a really excellent introduction to the wide range of art it offers.'
'Excellent range of visits – several that would have been completely missed if travelling on my own.'
'The best possible introduction to Madrid and its art.'
'Outstanding. We saw everything we had looked forward to and lots of unforeseen treasures.'
'The tour was made memorable by our lecturer. His knowledge and enthusiasm throughout were exceptional.'
'The lecturer was outstanding: a very good communicator, friendly, informal manner and of course a considerable expert.'