What to do

From Madrid to the sky of World Heritage. The Paseo del Prado, the Retiro Park and the stately neighbourhood of Los Jerónimos, three jewels of the capital's rich heritage, make up this luminous landscape. Do you know its secrets?

The small convents of San Jerónimo and Atocha, which appeared in the 16th century in the vicinity of the current ‘Landscape of Light’, would soon see their surroundings change forever. Barely a century later, around 1650, the construction of the palace and gardens of El Buen Retiro endowed this enclave with a monumental importance that would only grow and grow with the course of time.

The maximum expression of this wealth of heritage became evident in 2021 with the declaration of this ‘Landscape of Light’ as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the category of Arts and Sciences. The specific areas included in this candidacy are the district of Los Jerónimos, the Retiro Park and the Paseo del Prado, which runs from Plaza Emperador Carlos V to Plaza de Cibeles.

The origins of the palace date back to the 9th century, when the Muslim kingdom of Toledo, concerned about its defense against Christian attacks, built a fortress that would later be used by the kings of Castile. In the 16th century the Alcazar was built on the same foundations.

Inside you can see fresco paintings, a tour of the various rooms allows you to discover the legacy of artists such as Giaquinto, Tiepolo, Mengs, Bayeu and Maella.

Address: Plaza de la Independencia, Madrid. Best reach the palace walking from Madrid city center, it is located just few minutes walking from main center spots: Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, etc. Tube station is Ópera (Line 2).

Flamenco, recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, is an artistic expression born of a mixture of different cultures. Madrid's relationship with flamenco is built through its tablaos, which offer the best flamenco programme in our country in terms of quality, authenticity and variety. The tablaos represent a cultural expression of the first magnitude, which maintains its essence intact, unique in the world.

The flamenco offer of Madrid's tablaos is an essential and unique resource, the best national and international launching pad for the most important artists of this cultural genre. Our region hosts flamenco shows continuously, either in its theatres or tablaos, or in halls and venues.

Madrid has become the capital of Spanish musicals. Every year, the capital hosts a large number of musical productions of all genres, from Broadway classics to recent blockbusters.

Musicals are a form of entertainment that offers an unforgettable experience for all types of audiences. They combine music, dance, theater and special effects to create a unique show that captivates.

The offer of musicals in Madrid is very varied, which allows you to find something for all tastes. There are musicals for children, for adults, for lovers of cinema, music or history.

Some of the musicals that have passed through the capital have accumulated millions of spectators, such as The Lion King, Mamma Mia or Billie Elliot.

Would you like to live an unforgettable experience?

If you are planning a trip to Madrid, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy one of the many musicals that are performed in the Spanish capital. It will be an experience that you will always remember.

Madrid is one of the cities that offers the most theatre culture. We Madrid residents are proud to have a diverse cultural programme that includes, in addition to classical theatre, opera, zarzuela, magic, dance, musicals, circus...

Our stage spaces host year after year the best shows on the national and international scene, where classics and contemporary shows coexist, and where you will enjoy the art of great playwrights, directors and performers from our country and from around the world. Here we leave you a selection of what we consider essential in Madrid.

The Sierra de Guadarrama, declared a National Park, invites you to explore a world of wild beauty just a few kilometers from Madrid. Its mountainous landscapes, centuries-old forests, and green valleys will captivate you with their tranquility and rich biodiversity.

The Hayedo de Montejo, one of the most unique forests in the region, was declared a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. It's a singular space that was already declared Natural Site of National Interest in 1974, which forms part of a joint candidacy of 'European Beeches'. 

At the foot of the Sierra de Ayllón is the Hayedo de Montejo, an old meadow of beeches, oak trees and Pyrenean oak that as we advanced, was declared by UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. It's the first natural area in the region that receives this distinction, a well-deserved recognition of the work developed during these years by the Region of Madrid.

The landscape and ecological diversity of this space have been turned into a true 'natural laboratory' capable of anticipating the effects of climate change. It has an exhaustive research program that includes two forest inventories, which were carried out in 1994 and 2005. Through the monitoring of more than 1,400 trees as well as the weather through meteorological stations, it has been possible to know first-hand the evolution of this space in recent years.

After being declared a Natural Site of National Interest in 1974, increased visits to the forest, forcing generate an environmental education program, which includes guided tours and enhancement of the natural wealth of the environment, the uniqueness and fragility of the Hayedo and of the whole of the .  

From here we encourage you to discover the beauty of this environment, of course, all those interested shall register on the website in advance. There is another possibility, which is obtaining authorization in person on the same day that you want to make the visit. It will only be necessary to request the permission in the Resource and Information Centre of the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve located in Real St. 64 in the town of in Madrid. The authorizations will be delivered in strict order of arrival, from the opening of the office at 9.30 am until they are exhausted.  

The visits to the Hayedo de Montejo are always guided, by Environmental Educators, and free of charge. Although the best time to visit it is autumn, during the summer months is the perfect plan to enjoy in touch with nature, a place of singular beauty where the human footprint is less evidence. Discover it!