In any other city, the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando would be a stand-out…read moreattraction, but in Madrid it too often gets forgotten in the rush to the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza or Reina Sofia. An academic centre of learning for up-and-coming artists since Fernando VI founded it in the 18th century - both Picasso and Dalí studied here - it houses works by some of the best-loved old masters. Highlights include works by Zurbarán, El Greco, Rubens, Tintoretto, Goya, Sorolla and Juan Gris, not to mention a couple of minor portraits by Velázquez and a frew drawings by Picasso.

Incredible and mostly unknown museum located in the middle of Madrid (Gran Vía street)…read more It was created in 1744 as an Academy for painters. Therefore, most of them laid pictures and other art at the Academy, which nowadays account with more than 1400 pictures, 600 sculptures and 15.000 drawings. Its permanent collection includes art from Goya, Velázquez, Zurbarán, de Ribera, Federico de Madrazo, Sorolla, Haes, Rubens, Picasso, and Juan Gris, among others. Essential!