14 Best Museums in Madrid

The Spanish capital has more than 50 museums of various kinds and many are among the best places to visit in Madrid. Knowing them all is a very difficult task and would require a lot of time. That is why, regardless of your own tastes, it is advisable to know which are the most important of the city taking into account its collection and the value of it.

Some of the museums in Madrid are among the best and most visited in the world, other lesser known museums house hidden gems that leave no one indifferent. Discover the top 10 in the list I share with you below.

I could not start this list without recommending you, first of all, to visit the Prado Museum. It is not only the most visited in Madrid and Spain but is considered one of the most important in the world thanks to its collection of paintings, and its collection consists of more than 1,700 pieces exhibited with the stamp of artists as important as Goya, Velázquez, Bosch and El Greco, among many others.

It is part of what is known as the triangle of the arts in Madrid along with the two museums that we review in this list just below.

Information of interest

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10.00 to 20.00, Sundays and holidays from 10.00 to 19.00.
• Location: Paseo del Prado. Madrid. If you have any questions I leave you a post on how to get there.
• Main works: I leave you this article with a list of the main works exhibited in the Prado.
• Admission fee: General admission 15 €. Free for children under 18, unemployed and students between 18 and 25 years. Check all the info about prices in detail here.
• Complete information about the visit to the Prado here.

In contrast to the Prado's collection of classic works, if you visit the Reina Sofia Museum you will find yourself in the home of contemporary and 20th century art. The second vertex of the art triangle has a permanent collection of authors such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí or Joan Miró.

The symbol of this museum is Picasso's Guernica, but there are many more works that deserve the recognition of visitors. In addition, the museum is in a very convenient location, as it is next to the Atocha station. There are few excuses left to visit it, especially if you are a lover of contemporary art.

Useful information

• Hours: Monday to Saturday (closed on Tuesdays) from 10 am to 9 pm. Sundays from 10 am to 7 pm. Check here for more info about opening hours.
• Location: C/ Santa Isabel, 52 and Ronda de Atocha (It has two accesses).
• Main works: Review the main works in this link.
• Ticket price: You can buy tickets from a price of 12 € in Hellotickets.
• Complete the information about the visit to the Reina Sofia here

Leaving the Atocha station and going up the Paseo del Prado, we find first the Reina Sofia, then the Prado, and then the last point of the art triangle, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

This museum houses the private collection of the Barons Thyssen, full of great works of Renaissance, Impressionism, Expressionism and many more styles. In the variety of styles is where the charm of the Thyssen Museum's collection lies. In addition to the permanent exhibition they also hold temporary exhibitions.

Information of interest

• Opening hours: Monday from 12.00 to 16.00, and Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 19.00.
• Location: Villahermosa Palace, Paseo del Prado 8.
• Main works: The most prominent authors with works in the Thyssen are El Greco, Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt and Van Gogh.
• Ticket price: You can buy tickets from a price of 13 € in Hellotickets.

Another museum of a completely different style is the Wax Museum of Madrid. A place where you can discover the statues of more than 450 famous people from the past and present and learn all about the process of manufacturing and creation of the figures. Very important, don't forget your camera!

• Hours: The hours are from 11 am to 7 pm in summer and from 11 am to 6 pm in winter.
• Location: Plaza de Colón, 1, 28004 Madrid.
• Main works: Some of the statues you can see are those of Taylor Swift, Rafa Nadal, Marylin Monroe, Barack Obama or Christopher Columbus.
• Ticket price: You can buy tickets from a price of 18 € in Hellotickets.

And if you want to continue capturing the best pictures, do not miss the Sweet Space Museum that combines the traditional concept of art and new digital trends. Discover its 10 interactive themed rooms with unique scenarios and spaces designed by international artists such as Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Antonyo Marest or Miju Lee, among others. In addition, you will put your senses to the test.

• Hours: Saturday to Sunday, from 11 am to 1:30 pm and from 3:30 pm to 8 pm.
• Location: Calle Serrano, 61. ABC Serrano Shopping Center, 2nd floor, Madrid.
• Main works: You will admire the exhibitions and modern art of artists such as Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Antonyo Marest, Ivanna Gautier, Miju Lee and Zok Art, among others.
• Prices: You can buy tickets from a price of 18 € in Hellotickets.

The Museum of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid is one of the most important national art galleries and houses Spanish, Flemish and Italian works of art. Specifically, it is composed of more than 1,500 paintings, 1,500 sculptures, plus a thousand objects of furniture, goldsmiths, ceramics and much more. In addition, you can access the Cabinet of Goya in the National Chalcography.

• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including holidays.
• Location: Alcalá 13. Madrid. 28014.
• Main works: Its collection includes works by great artists such as Goya, Arcimboldo, Rubens or El Greco.
• Ticket price: You can buy tickets from a price of 10 € in Hellotickets.

The Museum of Illusions of Madrid brings together various exhibitions and installations full of experimental and educational visual experiences that stimulate the imagination and logic. Spend with your friends or family an incredible time of games, puzzles and, above all, learning.

More than 80 games and several rooms with different themes and full of holograms, puzzles, rooms with 3D puzzles and optical illusions with some outstanding challenges such as the Infinity Room, Hall of Intelligent Games or the Hall of Dilemmas.

• Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm, Friday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, Saturday from 9:30 am to 10:00 pm and Sunday from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.
• Location: Calle del Doctor Cortezo, 8. 28012. Madrid.
• Ticket price: You can buy tickets from a price of 14 € in Hellotickets.

The visit to the Royal Palace of Madrid attracts thousands of people almost daily. What many do not know is that in addition to seeing the royal rooms, the palace itself has a small museum in which one of the most important collections of arms and armor in the world is exhibited.

The Royal Armory of Madrid has a permanent exhibition of arms and armor belonging to Spanish royalty ranging from the thirteenth to the nineteenth century, which is very worthwhile. In fact, it is recognized as one of the best of its kind.

Information of interest

• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. In summer hours until 20:00. More info here.
• Location: Calle Bailén, first floor of the Royal Palace of Madrid.
• Main works: Discover here everything you can see in the Royal Palace of Madrid.
• Ticket Price: General Admission 10€. Reduced 5€. Children under 5 years free.
• Complete information about the visit to the Royal Palace and its museum here.

Joaquín Sorolla is an artist important enough to have his own exclusive museum. The Valencian painter spent much of his life in Madrid and it is precisely in what was his home and studio where today is his museum.

Sorolla made more than 2,000 works throughout his artistic career and the best known and most relevant are in this museum in Madrid. If you like the art of one of the most relevant Spanish painters, it is a must visit.

Information of interest

• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 am to 8:00 pm. Mondays closed. Sunday and holidays: 10:00 to 15:00.
• Location: General Martínez Campos, 37.
• Main works: Paintings such as Swimmers in Javea, The Pink Gown or Nude are exhibited in his studio in addition to the famous portraits and self-portraits of the painter.
• Admission fee: General admission: 3€. Free admission on Saturdays from 14:00 to 20:00 and Sundays.
• More info: here.

If you want to know all the cultures that have inhabited the Iberian Peninsula there is no better place than the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid. Founded in 1867, it houses pieces from prehistoric times to the Renaissance through the Iberians, Egyptians and many more cultures, being recognized as one of the best archaeological samples in the world.

Information of interest

• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 to 20:00. Sundays and holidays from 9:30 to 15:00.
• Location: Serrano Street, 13.
• Main works: The Lady of Elche, the statue of Harsomtus-em-hat, the Crown of Recesvinto or a replica of the cave of Altamira.
• Ticket price: General admission 3€. Reduced admission for groups and cultural volunteers: 1,5€.
• More info: here

This museum is located in the palace of the Marquis of Cerralbo , a building whose interior is so spectacular that it is worth a visit.

The Marquis of Cerralbo contributed a lot to historical studies and as a good art lover he bequeathed his impressive collection of weapons, armor and various works of art that can be seen in his museum. Although it is less known, it is a real hidden gem of the city of Madrid.

Information of interest

• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30 to 15.00. Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to 15:00 and Thursdays from 17:00 to 20:00.
• Location: 17 Ventura Rodríguez Street.
• Main works: Paintings by Zurbarán, Ribera, Alonso Cano or El Greco, among many others.
• Ticket price: General admission: 3€. Reduced admission: 1,50€.
• More info: here

In the heart of the Chueca neighborhood is the palace of the Marquis of Matallana, inside which is the Museum of Romanticism, a building dating from 1776 that preserves the original furniture and art collection of the Marquis and that, today, you can visit to learn about the daily life of the nobility in Romanticism.

The palace also has a beautiful garden where you will find the Museum Garden Café, where you can taste sweets and coffee in an environment that will make you feel like in the Romantic period.

Information of interest

• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. Sundays and holidays: from 10:00 to 15:00.
• Location: Calle San Mateo 13.
• Main works: There are works by Goya, Madrazo, Alenza and the Bécquer brothers, among others, as well as original furniture and decoration of the time.
• Admission fee: General admission: 3€.
• More info: here

During most of his life, José Lázaro Galdiano devoted himself to collecting and assembling pieces of art to a total of more than 12,000 pieces. After his death in 1947, his collection was donated to the Spanish state and, today, is exhibited in the museum located in the former residence of Lazaro Galdiano, in the heart of the Salamanca district.

This museum brings together, without doubt, **one of the most complete and valuable art collections in Madrid.

Information of interest

• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
• Location: Calle Serrano, 122. Madrid.
• Main works: Among the most valuable works of art in the collection are some of the best paintings by Goya, such as the "Aquelarre de las brujas", and authors such as Bosch, El Greco, Murillo, Zurbarán and even Leonardo Da Vinci in his time as an apprentice.
• Ticket price: General admission 6 €. Reduced admission 3€.
• More info: here.

The impressive neoclassical building located just behind the National Archaeological Museum, houses the National Library of Spain, founded in 1712 by King Felipe V. Inside is a museum that documents the entire written, graphic and audiovisual culture of Spain and also part of Latin America.

The museum is intended to show the operation of this body in addition to displaying some original copies of great literary works of history.

Information of interest

• Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00. Sundays from 10:00 to 14:00.
• Location: Paseo de Recoletos, 20-22.
• Main works: As a curiosity, the library has 4 copies of every book published in Spain, in addition to many photographs and drawings.
• Admission fee: Free of charge.
• More info: here

These are just some of the many museums in Madrid and the most prominent. But there are many others with more specific themes that can also be a good option to visit during your stay. Some of them are:

• National Mint and Stamp
• Museum of History of Madrid
• National Museum of Natural Sciences
• Museum and tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
• Museum of America
• Lope de Vega House Museum
• Royal Tapestry Factory

As you can see, Madrid is a city full of culture and one of the cities with more museums you can visit not only in Spain, but also worldwide. Below, I leave you a post with the best visits you can make.