Madrid was the last city went to for our trip, but we used it as a base to hit a lot of nearby, or not so nearby cities (Segovia & La Granja, Toledo, Aranjuez, El Escorial Valley of the Fallen Avila, Salamanca, and Zaragoza).

Getting around was a mix of walking, subway and taxis, but they also had other options:

you can start from the center

Madrid had lots to see too, so after arriving from Cordoba the night before, we went to visit the west side of the city starting with the royal palace and the Cathedral de Amuldena. It was yet another place were pictures were forbidden, which means I ended up with fewer pictures:

Next, we went towards the navy museum, which sadly was mostly closed for renovation. The paying part of the expo was conveniently open though:

We then went to a building nearby that had terrace views:

And then we walked to the archeological museum and had a good vidist (which ended up having to be done in 2 days as it was much bigger than planned). See the page on Madrid archeological museum

The next morning, we started with the Prado Museum which was another museum without photos (again!), so I have fewer:

you can't take pictures, but you can make your own slow copy :)

After Prado, we went to see the excellent Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (on its own page, which thankfully allowed pictures.

Then we finished Prado (we had to juggle with opening hours) and finished the long day with Reina Sofia (Modern art, not that great outside of Picasso's Guernica, which they have plenty of people to stop you from taking pictures):

don't ask

And that was it for a very long day. After our mostly wasted trip to Aranjuez, we went to Google for late lunch, and got a few pictures from the buildings:

We also went to see Sorolla Museum nearby:

We also had a few nice dinners, including milk fed piglets :)

It was good enough that we went back for more another night:

Some evening/night pictures from various days:

The last day, I started with the Air Museum outside of town (on its own page):

Next, I went to the Basilica of San Francisco:

From there, I had a quick look at Museum Cerralbo:

We then went to Caixa Forum for its interesting architecture:

And last, but not least, was a good walk through the botanical gardens:

Then, it was time to leave and catch a flight home