It's easy for tourism officials to paint a pretty picture of Madrid

Destination Madrid says Spain’s capital is unquestionably a pictures-perfect part of the world for those who appreciate great paintings created by household names in art circles.

Madrid’s claims to artistic fame include the Art Walk, which links three of the world’s great art museums over a span of just two kilometres, creating an unrivalled opportunity for those who dream of viewing works by such storied names as Velazquez, El Greco, Goya and Picasso to actually view them up close.

The Art Walk showcases the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums, which collectively amount to what Destination Madrid’s Consuelo Sanchez labels the “largest and best art collection in the world.

“Madrid is a paradise for art lovers,” she continues, adding the city is a very walkable part of the world as those exploring the Art Walk will discover.

Madrid’s art scene is further enhanced by the Royal Collection Gallery, found in front of the city’s Royal Palace and which displays paintings, jewelry and carpets, some dating back to the 15th century. All the exhibited items once belonged to Spanish royalty.

Destination Madrid has high hopes for the Canadian market, thanks in part to Air Canada’s new Montreal-Madrid service, which now offers four weekly flights. Air Canada also links Toronto and Madrid, while the Montreal-Madrid route is also served by Air Transat.

Canadian visitations to Madrid were up 26% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, and Destination Madrid says night owls will be in their element in the city, with Sanchez’ colleague Caroline Tensi stating, “Madrid never sleeps.”

The city is the “capital of Spanish musicals,” Tensi continues, adding Madrid also has a lively bar scene, with notable watering holes including the Museo de Chicote, a long-running bar that over the decades has hosted the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Betty Davis, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Ava Gardner.

Those who appreciate Spanish dance can take in performances of flamenco — likely the best-known expression of Spanish dance — at the storied Corral de la Moreria, and the city also hosts flamenco festivals in May and June.

Farther down the road, the city will host a F1 Grand Prix race in August, 2026.

Madrid’s hotel room inventory as bolstered recently with the recent opening of two Marriott properties, while the Umusic chain opened its first property outside the United States in Madrid. Among other hotels found in the city are luxury properties bearing the names of Four Seasons, Rosewood and Mandarin Oriental.

Meanwhile, tourism authorities say those visiting Madrid can easily use it as a base to explore other parts of Spain, with high-speed train service available from it to some 34 cities. The likes of Barcelona and Seville are all within three hours by train. As well, there are nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites within an hour of  Madrid.

Destination Madrid is reaching out to travel agents, with the likes of webinars and videos that are designed for them found through it esmadrid.com/trade.