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Art & Design Trips to Madrid

Madrid's great cultural and artistic heritage make it a fantastic destination for students of art and design. The Spanish capital is practically bursting at the seams with museums and galleries. From Spain's most important collection of paintings in the Prado to the top spot for contemporary art that is the Reina Sofia, the Spanish capital is home to many of the greatest pieces of art by the most important artists in history.  

Three of the most important art galleries in the world are a short distance from each other in Madrid's Golden Triangle, however the city holds many smaller treasures so the triangle while an absolute must for art lovers is just the place to start.

 

Curriculum Topics Key Stage 4 & 5

  • Art, Craft and Design
  • Graphic Communication
  • Textile Design
  • Three-dimensional Design
  • Photography

Prices start from£499pp

Popular itinerary

Our sample itinerary provides you with an idea of the visits you can cover during your trip. We can tailor-make an itinerary to support your specific learning outcomes.

Morning Afternoon Evening
1 Check in to UK airport for flight Arrive Madrid and transfer to your accommodation Visit to Royal Palace
2 Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Visit to the Prado Meal in a Tapas restaurant
3 Day Trip to Toledo Flamenco Show and evening meal
4 Visit Reina Sofia Museum Transfer to Madrid airport for return flight Arrive UK, onward travel to school
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
Morning Check in to UK airport for flight
Afternoon Arrive Madrid and transfer to your accommodation
Evening Visit to Royal Palace
Morning Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Afternoon Visit to the Prado
Evening Meal in a Tapas restaurant
Morning Day Trip to Toledo
Afternoon
Evening Flamenco Show and evening meal
Morning Visit Reina Sofia Museum
Afternoon Transfer to Madrid airport for return flight
Evening Arrive UK, onward travel to school

Price Shown includes

  • Return Air Travel
  • 3 nights accommodation
  • Return airport transfers
  • Bespoke itinerary planning service
  • Free Place Ratios
  • Live Trip Tracking
  • Online trip organiser & Travel App
  • 24/7 support whilst you are away

Places to Stay


Reasons to Visit

Prado National Museum

One of the world’s most important museums since it opened in 1819, this massive collection is a testament to the centuries of devoted acquisition by the Spanish monarchy and the church. This neo-classical building, located on one of Madrid’s most attractive street in the “Art Triangle”, is home to more than 20,000 works of art of which only around 1300 can be displayed at any one time.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

This fabulous collection of paintings is housed in the 19th century Palacio de Villahermosa in the “Art Triangle”, which was completely remodelled by Rafael Moneo specifically to be a home to nearly 800 paintings. Begun in 1920, the collection contains fine examples of Italian primitives and works from the English, Dutch and German schools.

Reina Sofia Museum & Art Centre

Also, in the "Art Triangle" and formerly the San Carlos hospital, the Reina Sofia was remodelled in the 1980s, becoming the principle location in Madrid for national and international exhibitions. The permanent collection is almost exclusively of 20th century Spanish art, with works by many of the most important artists, including Picasso’s Guernica.

Sorolla Museum

This small museum, which was originally the artist's house and was converted into a museum after the death of his widow. It mostly contains Sorolla’s and his family works and is a mixture of post-impressionist and Spanish school art. The house has been preserved in its original state; the ground floor preserved to give the visitor a feel of Sorolla’s life, while the upper floor has been converted into a gallery. 

San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Art

Created in 1774, the Royal Academy of San Fernando is the oldest art institute in Madrid, doubling as a museum and gallery, it is also the headquarters of the Madrid Academy of Art. In addition to paintings of the Spanish school (Juan de Herera, Zurbaran, Goya, etc), it houses over 1,400 paintings, 600 sculptures and 15,000 drawings, as well as an excellent collection of decorative arts objects including tapestries, silverware, ceramics, porcelain, clocks, furniture and medals

Cerralbo Museum

This classical style Palace located in the heart of Madrid houses the artistic collections gathered in his lifetime by the XVII Marquis of Cerralbo (1845-1922). Decorated with Neo-Baroque and Rococo elements, it was designed with a dual purpose, as a home and a museum. The museum is made up of over 50,000 objects, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, glass, tapestry, furniture, coins, medals, drawings, stamps, clocks, weapons, armour and archaeological objects. Visitors can contemplate hundreds of items of historical and artistic value as well as paintings from Spanish masters such as El Greco and Zurbaran.

National Museum of Decorative Arts

Situated within the “Art Triangle” and one of the oldest museums in the city, the museum follows the example of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and was intended to be a place for the education of artisans, craftsmen, artists and connoisseurs of the industrial arts. It illustrates the evolution of industrial or "minor arts", mostly Spanish, including furniture, ceramics, glass, and textiles particularly in the 16th and 17th centuries. The collection contains approximately 70,000 pieces in 62 exhibition room.

CaixaForum Madrid

CaixaForum Madrid is located in a nineteenth century power station and was re-designed by the Swiss architects Herzog & Meuron in a contemporary and avant-garde way. Located in the "Art Triangle" it is a cultural space and architectural work of reference and is laid out in a large square in which a spectacular 24-meter-high vertical garden, the work of Patrick Blanc, where 15,000 plants of 250 different species are planted.  One of the city's great landmarks, this space opens its doors to old, modern, contemporary and multimedia art, debates and educational workshops.

Sightseeing Tour of Madrid

A sightseeing tour of Madrid will offer your group the opportunity to see the city's main attractions. A professional, experienced, English-speaking guide will give an insight into the history and culture of the city and will be able to answer any questions you may have. 

Madrid Cable Car (Teleferico)

See Madrid from a bird's eye view on the Teleférico. The cable car carries you above the city's parks and a recorded commentary describes the view. Many of the city's famous sights may be seen from the cabins which reach a maximum height of 40 metres.

Real Madrid Football Stadium

Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo, Roberto Carlos, Raul…David Beckham. Discover the emblematic Bernabeu Stadium, home of the Real Madrid Football Club, from the VIP box to the changing rooms, from the pitch to the Trophy Exhibition. The Exhibition of the Best Trophies offers a full tour of the legend of Real Madrid. All the European Cups are on show, as well as the rest of the Club's trophies and the most important matches of its history in a modern audio-visual room.

Royal Botanical Gardens

These gardens, a symbol of the enlightened period of the 18th century, formed part of the urban re-arrangement project in the area of El Pardo undertaken by Carlos III, who inaugurated them in 1781. Just like the nearby Prado Museum, it was designed by Juan de Villanueva, and in the different areas visitors will find trees, flowers and plants from all over the world, as well as exotic species in the greenhouses.

Day Trip to Warner Bros. Movie World

Madrid is now home to Spain’s best theme park, Warner Bros, which brings a real Hollywood flavour to this Spanish city. There are five themed areas to enjoy, adrenaline inducing roller-coasters, a vast array of restaurants, rides and shows for all ages. Get up close and personal with Yogi Bear, Tom and Jerry and even Batman

Day trip to Toledo & Aranjuez

Toledo is only an hour from Madrid and is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns in Spain, surrounded on three sides by the deep gorge of the River Tagus. Highlights include the towering fortress Alcazar and its ring of Gothic and Moorish walls. Include a stop in Aranjuez, the palace which once served as the official spring residence of the Kings and Queens of Spain.

Mercado de San Miguel

The Mercado de San Miguel is located in the heart of Madrid’s city centre, next to the historic Plaza Mayor and is one of Madrid’s oldest and most beautiful markets, with its wrought iron and glass walls.  The market is not only beautiful but is also full of food from around the country, making it the ideal place to offer your students a true taste of Spain.


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What You Say

Superb itinerary. All the galleries are great and the Toledo trip is superb. The unexpected highlight was the Flamenco show. Brilliant!! Altrincham Grammar School For Girls

Overall, the trip was excellent. The activities were well-planned and timed; the students really enjoyed their stay and all wish to return to Madrid which was the entire purpose of the trip. Thank you! The Clarendon Academy

No further support could be provided... absolutely everything was taken care of. Carshalton Boys Sports College

Everything that could have been done was done - the service was excellent from both the Tour Consultant and the Tour Planner. St Ambrose High School