An intimate museum celebrating Joaquin Sorolla, the original luminist

Noteworthy for: Sorella's former home remains exactly as it was when he died. Even the canvas he was in the midst of painting is in its original place, with brushes next to the unfinished work.

Joaquin Sorolla, the magnificent Impressionist from Valencia - dubbed the original ‘painter of light’ - lived in this elegant Madrileño studio/mansion off Paseo de la Castellana from 1912 until 1923. The Moorish-inspired garden has an Italianate pergola, which is a wonderful oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling city.

Now a delightful small museum, the home is a treasure trove of Sorolla’s art. Renowned for iridescent, sun-drenched paintings, he painted portraits and family scenes at the beach and in gardens. Moving from room to room, you see his style develop and mature over 250 of his works.