Formerly a powerhouse of the Habsburg Empire, the Descalzas Reales is now one of Madrid’s most fascinating museums. The building was originally a palace, built for Emperor Carlos V’s treasurer, Alonso Gutierrez. Over the years it received a number of lavish donations, many of which are on display today. These include Flemish tapestries and paintings by El Greco, Zurbaran, Velazquez, Goya, Titian, and Rubens.

The convent is still home to 22 nuns belonging to the closed Franciscan order of the closed Franciscan order of the Poor Clares, who live in complete privacy in part of the building, while visitors follow a 50-minute guided tour around the public areas.