Top Museums in Madrid: the Essential Guide
Madrid is a captivating city, where you can enjoy many activities over the year. The weather is usually good and, although in winter the temperatures drop and it is possible to see the snow falling on the streets, the nature of this city lends itself to visit it at any time. To the beauty of the Spanish capital we add the cultural richness that it offers.
Madrid is full of culture. Different expressions of art are very-well represented in the capital of Spain. Museums known throughout the world, with the most important Spanish and international artists of history are available to visit.
Here you have the 10 top museums to visit on your next trip to Madrid. Take your time and enjoy them, because these are spectacular!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Most popular museums in Madrid
El Prado Museum
Where is it? Paseo del Prado, s/n, Madrid
www.museodelprado.es
The Prado Museum is the biggest museum in Spain and one of the most important museums worldwide. Built in 1819, this museum will celebrate in 2019 bicentennial anniversary, so there will be a special program with artistic pieces from around the world and with an important role of Spanish artists such as Picasso, Velázquez or Dalí. The museum is free on weekend afternoons but remember that if you plan to take advantage of this opportunity, try to go as soon as possible to avoid queues.
Sorolla Museum
Where is it? Paseo del General Martínez Campos, 37, Madrid
www.mecd.gob.es/msorolla
The Sorolla Museum is in the Chamberí neighborhood since it’s the place where this Spanish painter used to work. Inside the museum you can see paintings, furniture and many other art works. Among the goals highlighted by the museum itself, are tasks such as preserving his legacy, documenting its collections and investigating and promoting research on the work of Joaquín Sorolla. You can go to see this great museum from the Iglesia, Rubén Darío or Gregorio Marañón metro stations. It will take approximately an hour to walk and enjoy every detail of this unique venue.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Where is it? Paseo del Prado, 8, Madrid
www.museothyssen.org
The Thyssen-Bornemisza is another jewel of the Spanish artistic heritage. The Thyssen Museum houses at this time and until May 2018 an exhibiton entitled “Sorolla and fashion”. This museum is located on the Paseo del Prado, between the final part of the Paseo de la Castellana and the well-known Atocha train station. Inside the museum you will find both temporary exhibitions and their wide collection of works of art. From the web you can select the number of exhibitions you want to see and the timetables available for each of them. This will determine the price of your tickets. From the website of the museum you can also see their workshops, schedules for special exhibitions and an online store with products from the museum.
National Archaeological Museum of Spain
Where is it? Calle de Serrano, 13, Madrid
www.man.es
Founded in 1867 by Isabel II at a time when the European trend was to build great museums, this museum offers a complete vision of the ancient civilizations of the history of the world. But in this museum, you can do more than watch things; you can interact with the exhibitions and learn history at the same time. The entrance costs 1.5€ reduced price and 3€ at the general price. On the other hand, if you prefer to enjoy it without paying, Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings are free.
Queen Sofía Museum
Where is it? Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, Madrid
www.museoreinasofia.es
If you want to know the best museums in Madrid, you can’t miss the Queen Sofía Museum (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía). Named after the former queen of Spain, the museum combines modern art of contemporary Spanish artists and classical painters of all kind and ages. The regular tour costs 28.90€, but if you prefer to do a private tour the price rises to 59.15€, a more expensive visit but worthwhile, since you will enjoy the museum by yourself and you will get the info of every piece of art in the premises. Check their website to plan your visit and select which temporary exhibitions are you interested in. They also organize special activities such as art conservation forms or artistic video recordings that you can attend.
Where is it? Paseo del Prado, 5, Madrid
www.fundacionmuseonaval.com
Located on the first floor of the Navy General Headquarters on the Paseo del Prado, this great museum has 25 rooms where you will find pieces of historical, scientific and technical value of the Spanish naval activity. Spain used to be a naval power on the time of the Spanish Empire, and on your exhibitions, you will learn why. You can go there from the Banco de España metro station. The museum opens at 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening from Tuesday to Sunday. The cost of the ticket is a suggested donation of 3€.
Museum of Romanticism
Where is it? Calle San Mateo, 13, Madrid
www.mecd.gob.es
The Museum of Romanticism does a great job displaying and recreating the daily life of the bourgeoisie during the XIX century. Romanticism was a cultural and literary movement that affected every aspect of life, promoting values such as individualism, emotionality and freedom. The schedule of this interesting museum is from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. while on Sundays and festivities is from 10:00 to 15:00. The price is 1.50€ with reduced entry while the general admission is 3€. In addition, since the museum is in one of the most authentic neighborhoods of the capital, we recommend you go get some tapas after the visit.
The Space (Espacio) Telefónica Foundation
Where is it? 7º, Gran Vía, 28, Madrid
www.espacio.fundaciontelefonica.com
The Telefónica Foundation is the well-known Spanish telephone company’s foundation. Its exhibitions are constantly changing and the themes they touch are of the most varied. From the history of telecommunications to an exhibition about the conquest of Mars, in its 6,000 m2 and 4 floors you will find a wide range of exhibitions. On the other hand, you can request visits in which you can learn details of the Telefónica building and its history. This international art space has other museums in Buenos Aires, Lima, Quito and Santiago de Chile.
National Museum of Natural Sciences
Where is it? Calle José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, Madrid
www.mncn.csic.es
This museum is the perfect option to visit if you are travelling with children or teenagers. The National Museum of Natural Sciences brings you in its permanent exhibitions the history of fossils, exhibitions about biodiversity, about the natural fauna in the Park of Guadiana or the Royal Cabinet of natural history. An exhibition really linked to the world of nature in which young children can play and learn with the interactive displays. The schedule is from Tuesday to Sunday and the weekday schedule from 10 to 18, while the holidays extend until eight in the afternoon.
Lope de Vega Museum
Where is it? Calle de Cervantes, 11, Madrid
www.casamuseolopedevega.org
Before dying, Lope de Vega one of the most international writers of Spanish history, left his daughter his home. The Real Academia de la Lengua, the main institution dedicated to the language, decided to make a museum and pay homage to this writer. It was in 1935 when finally, the owner of the house gave the space to the Academy. The visits begin every half hour and the duration of the same, is of something less than 40 minutes. And although it closes at six in the afternoon, the last visit takes place at 5:00 PM.
Featured Image: www.mecd.gob.es
