Madrid's best museums to visit during your stay, the complete guide
Many of you have asked us which are the best museums in Madrid to visit during your stay. So we’ve decided to put together this comprehensive guide to help you organize your stay in the best possible conditions.
Madrid's best museums to visit
Madrid is a haven for culture and art enthusiasts. With an exceptional concentration of museums, it stands out among the world’s capitals. Located on the paseo del Prado, the Museo del Prado, one of the world’s largest art galleries, houses an impressive collection of works to admire.
You’ll also find the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Reina Sofía, and the Botanical Gardens. Together, they form the prestigious golden triangle of Madrid’s art scene.
These institutions offer a journey through the centuries, exhibiting masterpieces ranging from the 11th century to contemporary creations. For the full experience, we recommend a visit with an English-speaking art history guide,
Visit the Prado Museum, Madrid's most emblematic museum
Located on the Paseo del Prado, the Prado Museum is one of Madrid’s most visited cultural institutions. Opened in 1819 and celebrating its bicentenary in 2019, the museum is mainly dedicated to 19th-century art, with a rich collection of mainly Spanish paintings and sculptures.
What to see at the Prado Museum
The Prado Museum’s main collection consists of paintings, sculptures, drawings and royal decorative arts from the Habsburg and Bourbon families, offering an unrivalled wealth of history.
Here you can admire masterpieces by great masters such as Velázquez’s “Las Meninas” and Goya’s famous May 2-3 paintings.
Why visit the Prado Museum with an English-speaking guide ?
It is highly recommended to visit the Prado Museum with an English-speaking guide to maximize your experience and enrich your knowledge of the history of the works and their interconnections.
A guide will help you understand the importance of Goya and Velázquez to the Spanish royal family.
Although the majority of works come from Spain, the collection also includes paintings from France, Italy and Germany. These include Van der Weyden’s “The Descent from the Cross” and Raphael’s “The Holy Family”. The Italian painter Titian is also represented with world-famous works.
How much do tickets to the Prado Museum cost?
Admission to the Prado Museum is 15€ per person, with reduced rates for over-65s and students (upon presentation of ID). Admission is free for children under 18 and students under 25. Madrid’s museums offer different rates, so we advise you to check the conditions for free or reduced admission on their websites.
Prado Museum opening hours
The Prado Museum is one of Madrid’s museums open all week Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm and on Sundays from 10am to 7pm.
Days with reduced opening hours: January 6, December 24 and 31, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free admission to the Prado Museum: Madrid’s museums generally offer free admission to the general public, but there are very long queues.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., Sundays and vacations from 5 to 7 p.m.
Madrid's most unusual museum, the Museo Reina Sofia
The Museo Reina Sofia, Madrid’s second largest museum, is a must-see for art lovers. Located on the prestigious Paseo del Prado, it is dedicated to modern and contemporary art, presenting exceptional works by renowned Spanish and European painters.
Spread over three floors, the museum also boasts a magnificent sunny garden, perfect for a relaxing break. A visit to the Reina Sofia is a must for anyone wishing to immerse themselves in Madrid’s cultural wealth.
What to see at the Reina Sofia Museum
In the main building of the Reina Sofia Museum, you can admire a vast collection of paintings, sculptures, drawings and photographs by renowned artists, including Pablo Picasso’s famous painting “Guernica”, created in memory of the aerial bombardment during the Spanish Civil War. Salvador Dalí’s works, particularly his still lifes, are also featured.
The museum extends beyond its main site, with additional collections on display at the Palacio Velázquez and the Palacio de Cristal, both located in Retiro Park. These venues offer temporary open-air exhibitions. Despite their proximity, less than 50 meters apart, these palaces remain relatively unknown to tourists.
Reina Sofia Museum opening times and admission prices
Visit the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
Like the Prado and the Reina Sofia, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza is located on Madrid’s famous Paseo del Arte. The museum offers a wide range of works of art, from the very old to the most contemporary. The majority of the exhibits come from the prestigious private collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family.
The museum houses paintings from all periods, from the 13th century to the end of the 20th century. You can admire Italian, Flemish and German collections from the Baroque and Renaissance periods, as well as works from the 19th century, such as the Romanticism of Friedrich, the Impressionism of Monet and the Post-Impressionism of Gauguin and Van Gogh.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum opening times and admission prices
Admission to the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is 13€ / 9€ (concessions) / Free for children under 18.
Opening hours :
- Monday: 12 am to 4 pm (free admission)
- Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm