The Prado

The Prado is Spain's national gallery, with a collection reaching up to the early decades of the 20th century. It is recognised as one of the world's finest collections of European art and, not surprisingly, without equal in its collection of Spanish art.

To try to see it all in one visit would be madness, so we decided to focus on the Spanish big names of Goya, Velazquez, Murillo and Ribera. It was a wonderful experience. I'm not always a fan of large art galleries, but these were sensibly hung and imaginatively and interestingly labelled. I am very glad we went.

Photography is banned in the the individual galleries, but I sneaked this shot.

Like all good galleries and museums, it has a cafe and shop; both of the highest standard. Unlike the national galleries at home, this one charges - 12 Euros each.

This was the last thing we did before catching the Metro to the airport; a fitting note on which to end our trip to Madrid.