Best art museums in Madrid: discovering the city's artistic wonders

Madrid is known across the globe for its incredible art museums. Some of them contain world-renowned masterpieces and have become landmarks in their own right. Others are hidden gems, which will take you off the beaten track in your quest for art. Whether you're traveling with your partner, friends, or the whole family, there's a Madrid art museum for you.

At some of the art galleries in Madrid, you'll find works by famous Spanish artists like Picasso, Goya, or El Greco. Others have more of an international focus, with painters like Caravaggio and Van Gogh. Some are set in stately homes, so the building is just as impressive as the works on display. This city is a must for all art lovers.

Best art museums in Madrid

1. See Spain's greatest masters at the Prado Museum

The Prado Museum is high on almost every visitor's list of things to do in Madrid. This is one of the finest art galleries in the world, with a great collection of Spanish masters. Works like Las Meninas by Velázquez or Goya's image of Saturn devouring his son are sure to impress.

Highlights:

Enjoy the gallery in a more intimate way with a Prado Museum 3-Hour Private Tour. You'll have a personal guide on hand, ready to answer all your questions about these stunning works.

Address and opening hours:

Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón 23, 28014 Madrid. Open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM.

2. Take a trip through the 20th century at the Reina Sofia

The most famous painting in the Reina Sofia is Picasso's anti-war masterpiece, Guernica. You'll also see works by Dalí and Miró, among the great artists from Spain and beyond.

Highlights:

Take a Reina Sofia Museum Private Tour with Skip-the-Line to see the museum at its best. Your guide will explain the complex historical context of 20th-century Spain, which lurks behind many of these paintings.

Address and opening hours:

Carretera de Santa Isabel 52, 28012 Madrid. Open Monday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM-2:30 PM.

3. See eight centuries of art at the Thyssen-Bornemisza

The final point in Madrid's Golden Triangle of art museums, the Thyssen-Bornemisza is home to a wide range of international pieces. Works by Van Gogh, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, and more are on display here.

Highlights:

There are works here from every century from the 13th to the 20th. To get a clearer vision of art history, take a Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Guided Tour with a knowledgeable local guide.

Address and opening hours:

Plaza del Prado 8, 28014 Madrid. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-7:00 PM, and Monday, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM.

4. See art in the stunning surroundings of the Lázaro Galdiano Museum

As you enter this mansion, you'll be blown away by the luxury of your surroundings. Elegant architecture and sumptuous furniture combine to make the perfect backdrop for works by Goya, El Greco, and Hieronymus Bosch.

Highlights:

With a Lázaro Galdiano Museum Entry Ticket with Audio Tour, you'll learn about the history of the art collection and the building itself. Don't miss the Chandon Secret Garden, a tiny green refuge from busy city life.

Address and opening hours:

Calle de Serrano 122, 28006 Madrid. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-3:00 PM, and Thursday evening, 4:30 PM-7:30 PM. Closed Mondays.

Best design museums in Madrid

5. Discover the avant-garde with all five senses at IKONO

Every time you enter a new room in the IKONO Museum, you'll find something new and fascinating. From an enormous ball pit to an indoor bamboo garden, this is a design museum with a twist.

Highlights:

The exhibits here are designed to wake all five senses with unique smells, sounds, and sensations. All the displays are fully immersive.

Address and opening hours:

Calle de Sánchez Bustillo 7, 28012 Madrid. Open Sunday-Thursday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM, and Friday-Saturday, 10:00 AM-11:00 PM.

6. See the magic of the everyday at the National Museum of Decorative Arts

The National Museum of Decorative Arts is Madrid's main design museum. It seeks to bring out the power of design in everyday objects with collections that span space and time.

Highlights:

You'll gasp in awe at the 18th-century Valencian kitchen with its amazing decorative tiles.

Address and opening hours:

Calle de Montalbán 12, 28014 Madrid. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-3:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

7. Explore the history of clothes at the Fashion Museum

The Museo del Traje is a must for any fans of fashion. There are clothes that go back to the 18th century, showing how style has evolved in Spain and beyond.

Highlights:

Don't miss the collections of works by famous designers, including Christian Dior, Givenchy, and Spain's homegrown legends like Paco Rabanne.

Address and opening hours:

Avenida de Juan de Herrera 2, 28040 Madrid. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30 AM-7:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

Alternative museums in Madrid

8. Have a virtual sugar rush at Sweet Space

The Sweet Space Museum is a modern art museum with a twist, ideal for families. This uniquely creative space transforms art exhibits into a giant playground.

Highlights:

There are ten different installations in Sweet Space, each one designed by a different international artist. The theme of taste connects them all, so be prepared for some samples that will tantalize your tastebuds.

Address and opening hours:

Calle de Serrano 61, 28006 Madrid. Open Monday-Sunday, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM and 3:30 PM-8:00 PM. Closed Tuesday afternoons.

9. Discover a brand new perspective at the Museum of Illusions

Playful and off-beat, the Museum of Illusions will challenge the way you see the world.

Highlights:

Each room of the museum offers its own illusion. You'll feel like you're upside down, stuck leaning to one side, or surrounded by clones. It's an experience you have to see to believe.

Address and opening hours:

Calle del Dr Cortezo 8, 28012 Madrid. Open Monday-Friday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM, and Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 AM-9:00 PM.

10. Discover the mysteries of the Aztecs and Incas at the Museum of the Americas

It's rare to see a treasure trove of pre-Columbian art in Europe, but the Museo de America has an incredible array of jewelry, weaponry, clothing, statues, and more. It's one of the most comprehensive collections of indigenous American art outside the Americas.

Highlights:

You'll see pieces from many different pre-Columbian civilizations here. Perhaps one of the major highlights is the Head of Viracocha, an incredibly detailed bust of an Incan god.

Address and opening hours:

Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 6, 28040 Madrid. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

FAQs

Are there any free-entry days for art museums in Madrid?

You can enter Madrid's art museums for free on November 19 and May 18. You can also enter for free every day if you arrive in the last hour before closing.

What are some unique and lesser-known art museums worth visiting in Madrid?

Try the Palacio de Liria or the Museum of Romanticism for something different. The Museo del Traje, which focuses on fashion, is also worth a visit.

Which art museums in Madrid have works by famous artists?

You'll see big-name artists at Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art. The Prado has some of Spain's finest masters, like Velázquez and Goya, while the Reina Sofia showcases 20th-century artists such as Picasso and Dalí. Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Manet are all on display in the Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Are the art museums in Madrid wheelchair accessible?

The Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza are all wheelchair accessible. If you are visiting a smaller museum, you might want to call ahead.

Are there any art museums in Madrid that are suitable for children and families?

Yes. The Museum of Illusions, Sweet Space Museum, and OKONO are all playful spaces that are ideal for kids.