Things to do in Illescas

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Royal Palace of Madrid

• Witness the history and royal anecdotes of Spain • Approx. 2 million travelers visit annually • Combining traditional Spanish royal architectural style with Baroque style, it covers a total area of approx. 130,000 m² with over 3,000 rooms △In the 9th century, this was once the castle of Arab rulers. After being recaptured by Christians, it became the residence of successive kings. A fire in 1734 destroyed the castle, and the royal palace seen today was rebuilt in 1764. △The Royal Palace of Madrid is an exquisitely crafted architectural marvel and one of the best-preserved palaces in the world. The entire palace is magnificent, with over 3,000 rooms in total, though only around fifty are open for travelers to visit. Particularly noteworthy is the palace's preserved set of five Stradivarius string instruments—two violins, one viola, and two cellos. △Adorned with golden ornaments, royal red velvet floors and walls, and chandeliers as magnificent as the room itself, while admiring the ceiling painted by Tiepolo. Marvel at the grand staircase designed by Sabatini, with over 70 steps in total.

2026 Europe 50 - Best Things to Do

Prado Museum

The building that today houses the Museo Nacional del Prado was designed by architect Juan de Villanueva in 1785. It was constructed to house the Natural History Cabinet, by orders of King Charles III. However, the building's final purpose - as the new Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures - was the decision of the monarch's grandson, King Ferdinand VII, encouraged by his wife Queen Maria Isabel de Braganza. The Royal Museum, soon quickly renamed the National Museum of Paintings and Sculptures and subsequently the Museo Nacional del Prado, opened to the public for the first time in November 1819. Since it was founded in 1819 and over its multi-century history, the Museo Nacional del Prado has performed the important task of conserving, exhibiting and enriching a set of collections and works of art which, due to their close ties with Spanish history, are recognized as one of the most valuable compendiums of artistic expression known to humanity. Loans to temporary exhibitions are the Museum's most direct means of communication with society. They offer the opportunity of reinterpreting the collections while linking them to currentl issues. At the same time, they also provide an especially attractive scope for museography allowing for experimentation on new styles and technologies. They contribute to projecingt a new identity of the Museum by encouraging innovation, research and the public interest in its collections. With this intention in mind, the Museo Nacional del Prado offers its visitors a wide exhibition program while contributing to the promotion of its collections through the loan of works from its collection to exhibition projects organised by other cultural institutions, both national and international.

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Parque Warner Madrid

•It features a variety of entertainment facilities, themed shops, and themed parades, among which the themed rides include a wooden roller coaster and others •Presents an American style, with designs of streets, factories, buildings, etc. all featuring American characteristics •Experience thrilling rides like heart-pounding roller coasters, or hug cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny △Parque Warner Madrid is located in the southern outskirts of Madrid, where most Warner cartoon characters can be seen, such as Batman, Tom Cat, and Jerry Mouse. During holidays, grand parade float activities are held, making it a great choice for family-friendly trips, couples, and artsy young people. △La Atracción de Acero, this is a roller coaster that simulates Superman flying, with high-speed spirals, free falls, and loop dives, you will see the world anew from Superman's perspective! △Here, embrace every superhero and cartoon character from your childhood memories, forget all your worries, and find joy in a world of fairy tales.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

•It saves one of the world's most representative modern art masterpieces—Picasso's Guernica—along with other related works from the late 19th century to the present •Explore dedicated to showcasing Spanish expressionist and impressionist artNational Museum of China • ShockMarvel at the masterpieces of Spain's three great 20th-century masters: Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró △This is the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, one of the world's most significant contemporary art museums, showcasing works by Spanish and international artists. It is a pioneer in the art world and part of the beloved "art corridor" of Madrid.

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Las Ventas Bullring

Designed by architect José Espelius and built in the Neo-Mudéjar style, Las Ventas Bullring features red brick walls adorned with Arabesque carvings and arched windows, while its exterior walls are inlaid with ceramics depicting the coats of arms of Spanish provinces. Construction was completed in 1929, and the bullring officially opened in 1931. It has four tiers of circular stands and can accommodate approx. 23,000 spectators. Shaped like a Roman amphitheater, the bullring is covered with fine sand and surrounded by tiered iron fences that separate the spectator stands from the arena, with separate passageways for bullfighters, medical staff, and bulls to enter and exit. This is an important symbol of Spanish bullfighting culture. The San Isidro Bullfighting Festival held every May is a major bullfighting event of the year, when renowned bullfighters from all over gather here. The main entrance of the bullring is known as the "Puerta Grande" (Big Gate), and only victorious bullfighters are eligible to exit through this gate and receive the cheers of the audience. The venue has a total of 18 entrances and exits, and the ceramic decorations of provincial coats of arms on the brick walls make the main entrance area particularly striking. During your visit, you can overlook the entire venue layout from the upper spectator stands, then enter the bullring to experience the atmosphere firsthand. A bullfighting museum is located at the exit, divided into five exhibition areas that showcase the history and art of Spanish bullfighting, where you can admire prints by the painter Goya depicting bullfighting scenes.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Castilla-La Mancha

Cathedral of Toledo

The Cathedral of Toledo is a church that retains its medieval appearance to this day. As the second-largest cathedral in Spain, it was once the primary cathedral of the Spanish Christian archdiocese when first completed. The main structure features Gothic style, while its interior decor incorporates artistic elements such as Mudéjar, making it a vast architectural complex that blends multiple artistic styles. The Cathedral of Toledo is the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop of Spain. From 1088, it was granted the title of "Primatial Cathedral" by the pope, giving it a special status among Spain's many cathedrals. The current structure began construction in 1226, a project that spanned over two centuries until the central nave vault was completed in 1493, marking the completion of the main body. It adopted the French Gothic architectural style, which was rare in Spanish churches at the time, while incorporating local artistic elements such as Mudéjar and other regional features. Completed in 1493, the cathedral fully embodies the unique Spanish Gothic artistic style in its architecture. The bell tower on the left side of the church's main entrance stands approx. 90 m tall, housing a massive bell weighing over ten tons. The main hall measures 112 m in length, 56 m in width, and 45 m in height, supported by 88 large stone pillars. The main hall and its surrounding 22 small chapels form the most lavishly decorated section of the entire complex, with the five sets of colored pinewood carvings depicting Jesus's life on the main altar being particularly magnificent. Additionally, the choir loft is another highlight of the church. Located at the center of the main hall, the choir's two rows of seats are masterpieces of Spanish woodcarving—the upper row in Renaissance style and the lower in Gothic, blending harmoniously. The upper row features carvings of saints, while the lower row depicts historical scenes from the Reconquista's capture of Granada.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Spain

Old Town of Toledo

The ancient city of Toledo is located in the Toledo province of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. It is a famous city with a long history and is a world cultural heritage. This is a place where Christianity, Islam and Judaism converge, and it is known as the "Three Cultures" city. The ancient city has a variety of architectural styles, including Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance buildings. Walking through it, you feel like traveling through different historical times. The magnificent Toledo Cathedral is solemn and has exquisite interior decorations; the San Martin Bridge spans the river, and the defense tower at the bridgehead is simple and vicissitudes. In addition, there are many museums, churches, castles, etc., which preserve a large number of art treasures and historical relics, carrying the glorious past of this city. The ancient city of Toledo is like a vivid history book, and every page tells the prosperity and stories of the past, attracting tourists to explore its unique charm.

No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is the central square of Madrid, surrounded by many historic buildings. The square is now a venue for major parades and gatherings as well as a place for citizens and visitors to relax and entertain. Whether day or night, it is always crowded and full of vitality. Public square buildings Puerta del Sol is semicircular, surrounded by buildings, many of which can be called the essence of Madrid's urban architecture. To the south of Puerta del Sol stands the iconic old post office building (La Casa de Correos). This ancient building on the square is red and white, resembling a majestic palace. The clock tower in the center of the building is very famous. Every New Year's Eve, people in Madrid gather here. At the stroke of midnight, they eat 12 grapes symbolizing good luck to celebrate the arrival of the new year. "Zero starting point marker" On the pedestrian walkway in front of the post office building, there is a sign marked "0 starting point" (Kilómetro Cero). All highway milestones across Spain are calculated outward from here, and the street numbers in Madrid also start from this point. "Bear and raspberry statue" The iconic "Bear and Strawberry Tree" statue (Estatua del Oso y el Madroño) in Madrid is located in the eastern part of Puerta del Sol. This statue replaced the remains of the former Puerta del Sol gate and is now a highly popular city symbol of Madrid. The charming little bear stands upright with its front paws holding the strawberry tree in front of it, appearing remarkably lifelike. Today, this spot is also a meeting place for many locals. Statue of Charles III On the west side of Puerta del Sol stands the equestrian statue of Charles III (Estatua ecuestre de Carlos III), next to which is a large fountain surrounded by colorful flowers, with steps around it for visitors to rest. In addition, the Sol subway station building on the square is itself a highlight, its arched glass structure glistening in the sunlight, and its avant-garde shell-like shape stands out among the traditional classical buildings around the square. Public square events You can freely admire the sights and take photos in the square, or sit by the fountain, feed the pigeons, and enjoy wonderful street performer shows. The area around Puerta del Sol is also a commercial district, where you can find Sephora, Springfield, and the Real Madrid flagship store, and you can also see the building topped with the Tío Pepe sherry neon billboard. El Corte Inglés is also just steps away. The road to the north of the square leads to Gran Vía, while the Callao commercial area lies to the west, making it a great place for shopping. In addition, the alleys south of the square are home to many bars and cafes, which are very characteristic of Madrid and affordably priced. You might want to try the experience of beer paired with tapas (Madrid bar snacks). Midnight views Puerta del Sol is also particularly lively at night. As the lights come on and the crowds surge, Puerta del Sol at this moment perhaps better captures the essence of Madrid's nightlife. The street youths showing off their dance moves, the sentimental saxophonists, the whispering couples... all form a beautiful sight. If you happen to come here at midnight and face the still-crowded square and the waves of cheers, please don't be surprised. This city is telling you in its own unique way: Welcome to Puerta del Sol, welcome to the sleepless Madrid!

No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Metropolitan Area and Henares Corridor

Teatro Flamenco Madrid

Experience flamenco at the flamenco theater, located next to Madrid's Gran Vía. “Emociones” is a show that brings together the three essential pillars of flamenco—singing, dancing, and guitar—performed by professional artists. Enjoy a unique experience in an intimate theater setting, free from distractions, with meticulous staging, professional sound, and the power of live flamenco art. Choose from standard tickets, premium options with preferred seating and a complimentary drink.

Thermas de Grinon