With the ECCMID conference over I was left with a day and a bit to finish exploring Madrid.
There are many museums in Madrid, and I thought I should visit at least one. My choice was not the extremely popular and well renowned Museo National del Prado; instead I went to visit the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (also very well regarded) and solely because I wanted to see Hans Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII.
I wasn’t disappointed; it’s actually quite a small painting.
I also got to view many more famous paintings and works by famous artists.
For example – Rembrandt’s self portrait.
You will also find paintings by the greats – Van Gogh, Gauguin, Renoir, Monet, Manet and Moreau- all in the one room (room 32)! It was fantastic, what a treat!

Renoir

van Gogh
I walked a little more of the city; there are some very nice green spaces.
On my last morning in Madrid, I finally made it to the royal palace. But before I got inside, I was able to witness the changing of the guard.
What a wonderful place. It is very opulent and not hard to see where the Spanish spent some of that gold brought back from the Americas. There were no photos allowed in the main apartments of the palace (Google images for Madrid Royal Palace, and you will be amazed), but the main central staircase is ok.
The gardens around the Palace are lovely too!
I found a few more Meninas too: