The Top 10 Museums to Visit in Madrid

There are few cities in the world more dedicated to preserving its art and history than Madrid, Spain’s striking capital. You’ll find world-class institutions that showcase the country’s art, history, and cultural relics. The city is easy to navigate and is full of lively culture and street art. Even if you are museum hopping, Madrid will steal you away and show you an amazing time. Continue reading below to learn about the top 10 museums in Madrid. This way, you can plan your perfect museum-focused itinerary in Spain’s capital.

When people think of art museums in Madrid, the Prado is usually the first to come to mind. It’s one of Europe’s grandest and most respected museums and its collections span centuries. The architect Juan de Villanueva designed this neoclassical museum building. From the outside, it resembles a grand palace. Inside, you’ll see a vast collection of masterpieces in permanent and revolving collections.

The Prado is one of Europe’s top destinations for paintings. You can witness classics such as Francisco Ribalta’s Christ Embracing St. Bernard, Diego Velazquez’s Las Meninas, and Francisco Goya’s Third of May 1808. Don’t miss taking a guided tour of the museum. You’ll get an in-depth look at the works of art inside and the striking building itself. It also offers visitors free access at certain hours of the day.

2. Museo Arqueológico Nacional

3. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Another must-see museum near the Estación Del Arte train station is the Reina Sofía. This iconic museum houses priceless 20th-century Spanish art and is one of Europe’s largest modern art museums. As you enter, you’ll be transported through Spanish history. You’ll see works connected to Surrealism, feminism, and the violent Spanish Civil War.

Highlights include Pablo Picasso’s world-famous Guarnica. You’ll also see works such as Salvador Dalí’s Retrato, Joan Miró’s House with a Palm Tree, and some of Juan Gris’ most famous works. A major draw for visitors is not only the permanent masterpieces on display but also the revolving exhibitions. Art from various mediums, often chronicling the turbulent moments of 20th-century Spain, are on display.

The Spanish Empire brought its thirst for power and riches to the far corners of the globe. With it, came its language, now the second-most spoken language in the world. The most significant and far-reaching center of Spain’s colonization was the Americas. Few museums in the world chronicle Spain’s conquest of North and South America more than Madrid’s Museo de América. Inside the massive museum, over 25,000 pieces tell the history of three continents, their interactions, and the often brutal historical moments that led to their histories.

The museum was opened in 1941 and has amassed collections from private and public sources. Inside, you can see pieces ranging from Spanish conquistador armor and weaponry to American Indigenous artifacts, inscriptions, and art.

5. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Across from the beautiful Apollo Fountain Park is the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. The museum is inside the former 18th-century Atri Palace, one of Madrid’s most famous residential buildings. Inside are collections featuring some of the country’s greatest paintings, sculptures, and murals. You’ll find art spanning centuries from 13th-century medieval Spain to 20th-century masterpieces.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza has an extensive collection of work by European masters such as Van Gogh, Monet, El Greco, and Rembrandt. You’ll also find Spanish masterpieces such as Salvador Dalí’s Dream Caused by the Flight of a Bee Around a Pomegranate a Second Before Waking. Besides its renowned collections, the museum also hosts educational lectures and events. Everyone from art historians to professors educates visitors during the special talks. Just be aware that most events are conducted in Spanish.

Don’t miss a guided tour to learn more about the amazing collections and their history. You’ll get an in-depth look at each famous piece and learn about the exhibited artists, their stories, and how the museum acquired the works.

The Naval Museum of Madrid is the perfect destination for anyone interested in naval history. Spain’s navy was, for centuries, one of the global superpowers that spanned the entire globe. This exciting museum features collections chronicling the former empire’s naval history. Highlights include Juan de la Cosa’s preserved map of the Americas—one of the earliest maps of the Americas—as well as items from the height of Spain’s naval prowess.

There are over 10,000 objects, ranging from maps, compasses, flags, and ship replicas. The museum tells the story of the early Spanish navy and its evolution throughout the centuries, its brutal colonization of the Americas and Asia, and its decline. The museum is housed inside the Navy Headquarters building. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum has incredible rotating exhibits featuring expertly curated items and historical explanations.

7. Museo Sorolla

Few Spanish painters are as famous or representative of the city’s bustling capital as Joaquín Sorolla. Here at his former home, you’ll walk through his extensive works of art and enjoy his former workspace. Sorolla was famous for his work with landscapes and manipulating light. Here at his home, you can see the space transform as natural light enters. This is especially true in the museum’s central terrace, a place where the artist would often come for inspiration.

The highlights of the museum include some of the artist’s most captivating and world-renowned pieces. You’ll enjoy works such as Sorolla’s 1909 masterpiece Strolling along the Seashore and his 1889 masterpiece The guitarists, Valencian customs. This small yet impressive museum is a must-see for any art lover visiting Madrid. Setting aside two hours is enough for most people, but fans of landscape art can spend an entire morning or afternoon appreciating the works on display and the beautiful grounds.

Next to the beautiful Plaza de Barceló is the History Museum of Madrid. This well-maintained museum is housed inside one of the city’s most well-regarded Baroque buildings. Here, you’ll enjoy collections that range from 16th-century masterpieces to modern works of art. The museum tells the story of the city, from its foundation as Spain’s new imperial capital in 1561 to the present day. The collections include precious paintings, murals, city maps, and artifacts. Highlights include Francisco de Goya’s Allegory of the City of Madrid and the famous porcelain statues of the Real Fabrica Buen Retiro factory. Besides the precious art are many artifacts from the city’s early history. Items such as coins, weapons, murals, and maps tell the story of one of Europe’s greatest capital cities.

9. Museo La Neomudéjar

For a more avant-garde art experience, head to the Museo La Neomudéjar. Located in the large former railway company building across from Atocha Train Station, the museum is one of the city’s top destinations for modern art. There are rotating exhibits from some of the city’s top artists. The museum also has a residency of local artists who give lectures, perform, and show their recent work.

The Neomudéjar opened in 2013. Since then, it has earned its place as one of the capital’s most thought-provoking and nurturing spaces for artists to create. The museum’s resident and featured artists display a wide range of work, including performance art, paintings, sculptures, and murals. Every week, there’s something new to enjoy, from workshops and special exhibits to performances. On top of its art is the space itself, which keeps the original industrial rail aesthetics and open spaces.

Madrid’s National Museum of Anthropology is one of Europe’s most thorough anthropology museums. Here, you can wander through thousands of years of Asian, African, and American relics, art, artifacts, and recreations. The museum features three floors. The ground floor is dedicated to cultural and historical artifacts from Asia, the first floor is dedicated to exhibits from Africa, and the third is from the Americas.

The museum’s extensive collection includes highlights such as weaponry, masks, sculptures, religious artifacts, and clothing. It’s easy to spend hours in the beautiful space and learn about the cultures, histories, and traditions represented here. The Museo Nacional de Antropología is just one of several museums near the Estacion de Arte. It’s easy to spend nearly an entire day in this exciting section of the city. During certain festivals, you can enjoy performances, lectures, and events in the museum.