Museums and galleries in Madrid

24 museums and galleries in Madrid, from the big collections to small independent spaces.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
CaixaForum Madrid
A private centre particularly well-known for the 'vertical garden' by Patrick Blanc installed on a wall in front of the museum, as well as the quite special architecture of the building itself. The vertical garden can be seen from the street outside, just a block south of the Thyssen-Bornemisza and across from the Prado. The museum only displays temporary exhibitions, usually of a very high quality, in fields ranging from archaeology to contemporary art and architecture.
Daily 10:00-18:00, open holidays€6, free (La Caixa account holders), free on 15 May, 18 May, 9 Nov
SeeChamberí-Castellana
Estación de Chamberí
Chamberí Ghost Station
Former metro station designed by architect Antonio Palacios (creator of the Palacio de Cibeles, Círculo de Bellas Artes and Hospital de Maudes). It was inaugurated in 1919, but closed in 1966, thereby becoming a "ghost station". Since 2008 it has been converted to a museum, exhibiting original counters, signs, maps and advertising posters from earlier ages.
Fri 16:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-1400&16:00-20:00 Sun 10:00-14:00Free, booking from website (Spanish) linked from English site.
SeeSalamanca
Fundación Juan March
Juan March Institute
A few blocks off high-end shopping street Calle Serrano, this private foundation houses free temporary exhibitions of (mostly 20th-century) art which are often worth checking out. 10-15 min walk from either Museo Lázaro Galdiano or National Archaeology Museum.
Mon-Fri 11:00-20:00, Sat 11:00-14:00Free
DoArganzuela
Matadero Madrid
Madrid's former main abattoir (matadero), an early 20th-century industrial brick compound in Arganzuela district, has been converted to an arts and cultural centre since the 2000s. It is intended to serve as a cross-disciplinary laboratory of contemporary arts, including studios, exhibition spaces, a theatre, an arthouse cinema, and a library, as well as a café. One of the preferred spots of the city's "artsy" crowd to meet. There are performances and other events almost every day.
Usually Tue-Fri 16:00-21:00, Sat Sun 11:00-21:00, on Mon only the cinetheque is opened
SeeSalamanca
Museo Arqueológico Nacional
National Archeology Museum
Don't let the sound of it frighten you. This large, well-designed museum opened again in April 2014 after several years of renovation works. It houses an incredible collection of archaeological finds from across the peninsula. It leaves the visitor with a sense of the chronology of civilization in Spain (Iberian, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, Visigoth, Arab, and into the modern age). The famous Dama de Elche, an Iberian (pre-Roman) goddess statue, is in this museum. There are also a few pieces from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
Tue-Sat 09:30-20:00, Sun and holidays 09:30-15:00€3 (adults), €1.50 (concessions); free on Sa after 14:30, Su mornings, and national holidays
SeeChamberí-Castellana
Museo Geominero
Geo-mining Museum
Part of the Spanish Institute of Geology and Mining, this museum is dedicated to Geology (with a focus on Mineralogy) and Paleontology, containing an impressive collection of fossils and minerals discovered on the territory of Spain and abroad. Also contains educational exhibits, although all are described in Spanish only. The interior of the building is just as impressive and may be worth a quick tour even if you are not particularly interested in Paleontology and Mineralogy.
Free
SeeSalamanca
Museo Lázaro Galdiano
Museum of Lázaro Galdiano
This museum houses the stunning collection of Spanish entrepreneur José Lázaro Galdiano (1862-1947) and is considered to be one of the best private collections in Spain. Not only will you find works by Goya, Velázquez, El Greco and others - the museum is also filled with jewelry, furniture, sculpture and ceramics. It is located in Lázaro Galdiano's rather lavish former residence. This is an excellent museum that is usually not crowded and well worth the price of admission.
Tue-Sat 10:00-16:30, Sun 10:00-15:00; closed Jan 1, Easter Thu and Fri, May 2 and 3, Nov 1, Dec 6 and 25€6 (adults), €3 (seniors/students/disabled), free (children under 12); free admission Tu-Sa 15:30-16:30 and Su 14:00-15:00
SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Museo Reina Sofía / Reina Sofía National Museum and Art Center
Housed in a former public hospital with an adjacent modern wing, this museum contains Spain's largest collection of 20th century art. Created to house Pablo Picasso's renowned Guernica, allowed after the return of democracy to Spain, the work was initially behind armoured glass. That's gone, but you are kept further away from it that anywhere else in the gallery, and another room includes some Picasso etchings that were damaged in a 1971 political attack. The Reina Sofía also houses masterpieces by other Spanish masters including Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Juan Gris, and others, as well as works by a number of international artists, including Vasily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Francis Bacon, and more. Purchasing tickets in advance no longer gives you a discounted entry but is a way to beat the queues. During free admission periods, it is still required to pick up a ticket at the ticket office; these times are especially busy and it is best to arrive a bit before the free period actually begins. Photography is permitted, except for the work of Oskar Schlemmer (even though he died in 1943). Backpacks are not permitted, but there are free lockers after both entrances (in the older and modern wings).
Mon Wed-Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-19:00€12 (adults), free admission M W-Sa 19:00-21:00, Su 13:30-19:00
SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
Museo Nacional de Antropología
National Museum of Anthropology
Small but interesting museum with artefacts and models from the indigenous people of Asia (mainly the Philippines, former colony of Spain), Africa and America. The exhibits are described in Spanish; however, on each floor, there is a leaflet in English explaining all sections.
Tue-Sat 09:30-20:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-15:00€3 (adults), €1.50 (concessions), free (seniors/students/children under 18); free Sa after 14:00 and Su
SeeChamberí-Castellana
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
MCNM / National Museum of Natural Sciences
Contains a large collection of fossils and minerals, plus educational exhibits (some are described in English but many are in Spanish only). Has two parts open to visitors with separate entrances. The ticket is purchased at the main entrance and to visit the other part you need to exit from the main entrance, turn left and follow the building until you reach the second entrance. Your ticket will be checked again there so don't lose it.
Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun and holidays 10:00-20:00; Sat Sun in Aug 10:00-15:00€7 (adults), €3.50 (students/children 4-16), free (seniors/children under 4)
SeeNorthern Suburbs
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
MCNM / National Museum of Natural Sciences
Contains a large collection of fossils and minerals, plus educational exhibits (some are described in English but many are in Spanish only). Has two parts open to visitors with separate entrances. The ticket is purchased at the main entrance and to visit the other part you need to exit from the main entrance, turn left and follow the building until you reach the second entrance. Your ticket will be checked again there so don't lose it.
Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat Sun and holidays 10:00-20:00; Sat Sun in Aug 10:00-15:00€7 (adults), €3.50 (students/children 4-16), free (seniors/children under 4)
SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
Museo Naval de Madrid
Naval Museum of Madrid
A beautiful museum with a large interesting collection about Spanish naval history, from the efforts of kingdoms of Aragon and Castilia, the many successes and few failures (what's known in English as the defeat of the Spanish Armarda has a section) in the 15th-17th centuries, the drastic decline in the 19th century and its consequences in terms of losing the country's empire, the division of the navy into opposing sides in the 1930s Civil War, to today. It's almost all labelled in English as well as Spanish. A temporary exhibition traces today's Spanish flag from its origin as the navy's attempt to have one that contrasted well with other navy's flags, and the museum has the very large flag flown by the Spanish flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar (the loss is blamed on the French admiral for insisting on sailing out of Cadiz to fight it!)
Sep- Jul: Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00; Aug: Tue-Sun 10:00-15:00Free (donations requested)
SeeChamberí-Castellana
Museo Sorolla
This museum is in what was the impressionist painter's house and features fine furniture and porcelain as well as his paintings.
Tue-Sat 09:30-20:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-15:00€3 (adults), €1.50 (concessions); free admission Sa after 14:00 and all day Su
SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Contains a large art collection including masterpieces by Monet, Goya, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh, Picasso, Mondrian, Bacon and Lichtenstein.
Permanent collection and Francisco Bores: Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00, Mon 12:00-16:00; Bulgari and Rome collections: Tue-Fri 10:00-19:00, Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-19:00€13 (adults), €9 (concessions), free (children under 12) and all at certain times (see website)
SeeMoncloa
Museo de América
An excellent museum that many tourists miss. Houses thousands of artifacts from the Americas. The exhibit displays objects from many native cultures from before European conquest to colonial times and beyond. Don't miss the Tesoro (Treasure) de los Químbayas, a collection of gold objects that was given as a gift by the Colombian government. Also of interest is the Tudela Codex, an Aztec law book from the 1500s. Beware: most explanations to the objects on display are in Spanish only.
Tue-Sat 09:30-15:00, Thu 09:30-19:00, Sun and holidays 10:30-18:00; closed Jan 1, May 1, Dec 24, 25, 31€3 (adults), €1.50 (concessions), free (seniors/children under 18); free on Su
SeeArganzuela
Museo de Ferrocarril de Madrid
Railway Museum of Madrid
Museum with four railway tracks, exhibiting a large number of steam, diesel and electric locomotives used in Spain in the 19th and 20th century. Also on display are several model railways. Exhibits are described in Spanish only.
Oct-May: Mon-Thu 09:30-15:00, Fri and holidays 10:00-18:00, Sat Sun 10:00-20:00; Jun-Sep: Tue-Sun 10:00-15:00M-Th F before 14:00, holidays: €6 adult, €4 concession, free child under 4; F after 14:00, Sa Su €2.50
SeeMalasaña-Chueca
Museo de Historia de Madrid
Museum of History of Madrid
This museum is dedicated to the history of Madrid from 1561 to present. Much of the history is explained by referencing exhibited paintings depicting people or events from the time, so it is also an art museum. Several maps and models (including two large ones in the basement) show how Madrid grew since the 16th century. All exhibits are explained in both English and Spanish.
Tue-Sun 10:00-20:00Free
SeeLa Latina-Austrias
Museo de San Isidro
Los Orígenes de Madrid / San Isidro Museum
This is a museum of two parts. One part is dedicated to Saint Isidore the Laborer, while the other part is dedicated to the paleontology and archaeology of the region of Madrid from prehistory to 1561 (when Philip II made Madrid the seat of the court). Most of the exhibits are explained in both Spanish and English.
Mid-Sep - Jun: Tue-Sun and holidays 09:30-20:00; Jul - mid-Sep: Tue-Sun 10:00-19:00, closed Jan 1 and 6, May 1 and Dec 24, 25 and 31.Free
SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
Museo del Prado
Prado Museum
One of the finest art collections in the world and the best collection of classical art in Madrid. It includes many different collections: the Spanish (El Greco, Velázquez, and Goya), the Flemish and Dutch (Rubens, van Dyck, and Brueghel), Italian (Botticelli, Tintoretto, Titian, Caravaggio, and Veronese) and German (Albrecht Dürer, Lucas Cranach, and Baldung Grien). Some highlights not to miss at the Prado include the Bosch masterpiece The Garden of Earthly Delights, Velázquez's masterpiece Las Meninas, the Black Paintings, The Third of May 1808, and a pair of paintings known as The Clothed Maja and The Naked Maja by Goya, Adoration of the Shepards by El Greco, and David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio. Be sure to walk along Paseo del Prado, a pedestrian walkway full of fountains and trees near the museum. Visitors can bypass the often extremely long queues by purchasing tickets beforehand by phone or online, for an additional €.90 fee per ticket. Tickets purchased online can be printed or downloaded onto a smart phone; all pre-purchased tickets can be picked up (with a reference number) or presented at the main (Jerónimos) entrance in the northeast corner of the building. If you are planning to spend a full day at the museum, it is possible to leave (e.g. for lunch) and reenter by getting your ticket stamped at the 'Educación' counter just inside the main entrance. An affordable café and cafeteria-style restaurant are on the ground floor, along with a gift shop. No food, drinks, backpacks or umbrellas are permitted (a bag check is just inside the main entrance). Photography not permitted.
Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00, Sun 10:00-19:00; closed/shortened hrs on some holidays; extended hrs for special exhibits; last admission 30 min before closing€15 (adults), €7.50 (seniors 65+), free (children/students under 25); free admission within 2 hours of closure; additional obligatory fee for special exhibits
SeeMoncloa
Museo del Traje
The Costume Museum
Offers a wide selection of historical and more temporary costumes (from the early 1200s to now) which shows the aspects of different cultures and Spain. The museum also organizes many activities and events. The building itself won some architectural awards in the 1970s. The restaurant underneath the museum is fairly good. The museum is surrounded by sprawling gardens, replete with well maintained lawns and fountains, are a pleasant place to relax.
Tue-Sat 09:30-19:00, Sun and holidays 10:00-15:00; closed 1 and 6 Jan, 1 and 15 May, 24-25 and 31 Dec€3 (adults), €1.50 (concessions), free (students/children/seniors); free on Sa after 14:30, all day Su, and national holidays
SeeRetiro-Paseo del Arte
Plaza de Cibeles
A massive roundabout at the intersection of Calle de Alcala and Paseo del Prado, this plaza houses one of Madrid's emblems, the Fountain of Cibeles, which portrays the Roman goddess of fertility sitting upon a chariot pulled by two lions. On the southeast corner dominating the Plaza is one of the world's most beautiful city halls, the Palacio de Cibeles (formerly the Palacio de las Comunicaciones), an impressive structure with a jaw-droppingly spectacular façade. Inside, the building holds a cultural center with changing art exhibits and info on Madrid, and you can climb to the upper floors for some excellent views out the window. On the southwest corner of the square sits the imposing Bank of Spain (Banco de España) building, while the northeast corner is home to the Palacio de Linares, which holds the Casa de América, a cultural center with an art gallery of Latin American works.
DoChamberí-Castellana
Real Madrid
For football fanatics, a trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, the home of local club Real Madrid is not to be missed. Real Madrid is the most successful football club in Spain and Europe, having been crowned Spanish champions a record 32 times and European champions a record 11 times. Their biggest rivals by far are FC Barcelona, with which it contests matches known popularly as El Clásico at least twice a year. The rivalry between the two sides is by far the biggest in Spain and one of the most intense in the world, and stems from the longstanding traditional rivalry between the Spanish and Catalan speaking parts of Spain. As such, tickets for such matches often sell out very quickly. In case you arrive in Madrid on non-match periods, you can take a self-guided tour of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. It includes tours around the field, the dressing rooms, the Press Room and the Real Madrid Museum where the trophies and other memorabilia are kept. Without a loyalty card, the typical fees for adults is €35 (online, €38 at the ticket office). However, a few days before a match, the chances are you will not be able to take the full tour, but only a part of it, with at least the Real Madrid Museum, at a reduced price.
€35+
DoNorthern Suburbs
Real Madrid
They play soccer in La Liga, the top tier, and are the most successful football club not only in Spain but in Europe, having been Spanish champions 32 times and European champions 14 times. Their biggest rivals are FC Barcelona, and these twice-yearly El Clásico matches sell out quickly, as does El Derbi against local rivals Atlético de Madrid. Their stadium, the Santiago Bernabéu, has a capacity of 81,000. It's one km south of Chamartin railway station and has its own Metro stop. On non-match days you can take a self-guided tour, adult €25, which includes the pitch, dressing rooms, Press Room and trophy museum. On days close to matches there is reduced access & entry price but the museum remains open. (The women's team play in Liga F their top tier at Alfredo Di Stéfano Stadium towards the airport.) Real Madrid also runs a basketball team known as Real Madrid Baloncesto, which like its illustrious football counterpart is the most successful in Spain and Europe, having won a record 34 Spanish league titles and 10 EuroLeague titles.
SeeChamberí-Castellana
Museo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología
MUNCYT / National Museum of Science and Technology
The main entry for this museum has been moved to Alcobendas

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Madrid (CC BY-SA 4.0).