Monasterio Las Descalzas

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Rafael V.

October 26, 2025

Very interesting historical site smack in the middle of Madrid. This monastery is still inhabited by Franciscan Clarisas nuns. I highly recommend buying entry tickets in advance. Guided tour provides a great amount of facts and insight about the history of the monastery. Beautiful art collection spread across the building including Rubens designed tapestries. One thing to note is that the building is not suited for handicapped people. Definitely worth a visit.

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Frances D.

October 04, 2025

This monastery is so centrally located and is so unique. The art and altars are amazing. Hard to believe that until recently only the nuns were enjoying it. Definitely worth the visit.

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Scott S.

July 26, 2024

If you've done it all in Madrid and want to mix it up, this place is interesting and has some breathtaking art. Make a reservation to make sure you can get in, and I would not recommend it if you don't speak Spanish. You must go with a guided tour, which focuses on the art and is only given in Spanish. Before I went, I was a bit worried by the reviews. I had a lovely time. Our guide, Antonio, was excellent. My recommendation is to, courteously, ask questions if you have them. He knows about everything in the museum. People who complained about time given to look at the art must have never taken a guided tour, or possibly they had a different tour guide. We had plenty of time, keeping in mind that you are on a schedule and have to finish in an hour. You can't stand and gaze for hours. Also, no one at all was rude to us. If you want to go with realistic expectations, though, here are my two complaints: 1. You cannot enter with any bags or backpacks. You must have a euro coin to put into a locker before going in. That's fine, but they will not give you change if you have bills. Just charge me an extra dollar for the entrance and have some spare coins on hand. Or just fix the lockers, like many Mercadonas have done, so that you don't need a coin. Overall, a very small complaint, but now that you know, go prepared! It will make your life and everyone else's easier. 2. The behavior of the other people on the tour. If the guide mentions a painting, don't be a jerk and run to the painting and stand right in front of it so no one can see. Several people did this. It was extremely annoying. These people were adults (so it was super weird). Reading other reviews, it sounds like the tourists were the problem, not the guide or the security guard. Also, this is not a visit for children or people who can't stand for an hour. We are guests in the nuns' (beautiful) home. I am not religious at all, but I realized that it was a privilege to be here. Keep quiet while the guide is speaking, so that he doesn't have to talk loudly, and don't sit on the furniture that is not yours. We were very pleased with our visit. I would love to go back in the winter when they have the baby Jesus collection on display.