Palacio de Liria – Landmark Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"What’s this place all about? Packed with important artwork, this private residence of the Alba family (relatives still live on the second floor), has finally flung open its doors to the public. Entwined in Spanish history, the Albas are de facto royals among Spaniards, and this peek into their collection of artwork and personal effects underscores that fact. It is so rich with antiques and historic pieces that you can think of it as the younger sibling of the Royal Palace. Be one of the first for an inside look at this majestic treasure trove since it just recently opened to the public. What will we see here? You could be forgiven for having flashbacks to the Prado here. It is packed with memorable works from El Greco, Titian, and Velázaquez just like the city’s most famous museum. Don’t miss Goya’s portrait of the 13th Duchess of Alba; if it looks familiar, that’s because until recently it was on loan to the Thyssen-Bornemisza . What is particularly special here, beyond the artwork display, is the large library onsite that includes handwritten work from Christopher Columbus (the largest collection in the world) and a first edition of Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes. You’re going to find a lot here that you won’t spy elsewhere. What did you make of the crowd? Since it’s a newer addition to a tourist’s to-do list, you won’t find tour buses lined up outside (just yet). Instead, visitors will intermingle with in-the-know tourists and locals curious for an inside look at this once-restricted palace. An online tour of the palace is almost as intriguing for armchair travelers. Luckily, much of the valuable artwork was stored in the Prado archives or in bank vaults during the many fires that the palace suffered over the years. Any guided tours worth trying? Guided tours will provide much more insight into the experience than you can garner on your own. Being so new, it is the only way to see the palace. One annoyance is that the museum charges an extra euro to those that prefer to buy an advance ticket online rather than at the entrance. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? There’s nothing here you can’t find elsewhere. Is the café worth a stop? Unless you need some water, step outside for better options. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Take your time perusing this collection as you’re among the first as the doors were only reopened to the public in 2019. It’s an impressive perusal that won’t take more than an hour or two (unlike some of the bigger museums). This makes it a great option to fit into your schedule when you aren’t sure about how much extra time that you will have." - Ramsey Qubein
