Renowned for being a melting pot of commerce, art and culture, Madrid is an exceptional locale for informative tours. The Spanish capital is home to the ‘Golden Triangle of Art’, boasting three of the most magnificent museums in the world. Madrid offers something for everyone, whether it’s a first-hand look at thought-provoking paintings or tucking into tasty paella. Madrid’s art scene is eclectic and magical, making it a popular destination for tourists looking for a cultural experience. Students will find plenty to see and do around the city, and at WST we arrange amazing and educational trips to Madrid for the following subjects:
A world famous gallery, Museo del Prado contains a dazzling display of art by European masters such as Raphael, Bosch, Goya, Rubens and Velázquez. The building is 18th century Neoclassical and houses over 7,000 paintings. Students will be able to marvel at the imperious tableaux of Velázquez and the grim, dark paintings by Goya. The name of the museum comes from the district where it’s located and came about when the Spanish queen, Isabel, wanted to showcase an enormous collection of art in Spain after being impressed by the Louvre in Paris.
The Royal Palace of Madrid is the largest building in the city as well as the largest palace in Western Europe. The palace is made up of Spanish marble, striking mahogany doors and breathtaking frescoes by artists such as Maella, Tiepolo and Mengs. Campo del Moro, the palace gardens, are open to visitors, and students can wander around and appreciate the style of 19th century English gardens in which the place is modelled on.
Spain’s fierce El Escorial, an iconic monastery, royal palace and library, is one of the most influential buildings in the country, and epitomises architectural design during the Spanish Renaissance. The construction of this colossal building took over two decades, and was created by King Philip II. It’s the monastery’s beautiful interior that will really astonish students; the complex painted decoration and the sensational artistic treasures stored there showcase the wealth of the monarchy and offer a great insight into this influential period of Spanish history.
Our accommodation in Madrid is all located in the centre of the city, either in walking distance of the main sights or a few stops away on public transport, so students can get the most of their time on the trip.
Madrid is well known for its flavourful dishes, ranging from diverse tapas to warm and filling paella. Students can enjoy a mouthwatering plate of traditional Spanish food, such as patatas bravas, a delightful egg and ham combination called huevos rotos, and sweet churros con chocolate. Meals can be bought at affordable prices from the Hard Rock Café, while trips on a budget can get great value for money by visiting Fresc Co buffet restaurants.
Located in the Casa de Campo, the wonderful Madrid Zoo Aquarium is one of the few zoos in the world that has giant pandas. The zoo is home to 3,000 animals, including white Siberian tigers, giraffes, rhinos, Atlas lions, flamingos and koalas. Students will enjoy seeing the diversity of wildlife, as well as seeing tropical marine life and catching a show at the dolphinarium.
Created by architect José Espelius and finished by Manuel Monasterio in 1931, the Las Ventas bullring is a fascinating place for students to visit. Constructed in Neo-Mudéjar style, with hand-painted tiles, this Spanish landmark is a stunning piece of architecture and remains an important part of the local culture. On visiting this special museum, students can explore the exciting history of bullfighting in Spain.
There’s plenty of culture to be enjoyed outside of Madrid and a great example of this is the city of Ávila, which can be easily reached by coach. Ávila has a large number of Romanesque and Gothic churches that students can explore at their leisure, all the while soaking up the enjoyable Spanish lifestyle.
Adriana is our local expert in Madrid. With her team she will liaise with us on all arrangements for your tour. She will meet you on arrival at the airport and assist with check in. She is there for you to call for 24 emergency assistance, plus she’ll check in with you each day to see how you are and check if there is anything she can help you with. With Adriana and her team we know you’re guaranteed to be well looked after.
At WST, we’re committed to arranging educational tours and trips to Madrid that expand a student’s knowledge of their subject, while providing a relaxed and unforgettable experience. If you’d like to arrange a school trip to Madrid or another destination, a member of our travel team will be happy to assist.