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The Spanish capital boasts the presence of many museums of extraordinary importance. Starting, of course, from the Prado. It is the most important museum in Spain, as well as one of the most important art galleries in the world. Here are some of the Madrid museums not to be missed during your vacation. Without detracting from other wonderful structures that, however, you will hardly be able to see together.
MADRID MUSEUMS NOT TO BE MISSED
PRADO
Madrid and Prado: an absolutely essential combination. The top of Madrid’s museums. Inside its rooms, works by major Spanish, Flemish, Dutch, German, and Italian artists are exhibited. A must to start your Madrid weekend.
The advice is to arrive at opening hours, early in the morning. With the metro you get off at the Atocha stop. The metro station is part of the Estación de Madrid Atocha, a grandiose and splendid train station. Many will also remember it for the sad terrorist attack of 2014. Outside, the 11m Monument a las víctimas honors the 192 victims who lost their lives. A walk of about 10 minutes on Paseo del Prado will take you to the Museum. Before arriving at the building, on the right, you will pass by the Real Botanical Garden; if you have time available, visit it.
The Museum is housed within two buildings. The Jeronimos building was incorporated into the original one in Villanueva; this name is dedicated to the adjacent Cloister of the Church of San Jeronimo en Real. You pass the statue of Velázquez, the work of the sculptor Aniceto Marinas, in front of the door of the same name. At the end of the building is the Puerta de Goya which leads to the Museum (the ticket offices are located here).
It is a museum of incredible charm, and well managed. Nothing is missing inside. Free cloakroom, library, bookshop, shop, restaurant. Cafe. And, again, lifts, escalators, toilets.
Real masterpieces are kept inside. By Francisco Goya, there are over 100 paintings distributed on the various floors of the building; every phase of Goya’s artistic life is masterfully represented. Velázquez’s offer is also exceptional. Among his masterpieces kept here, Las Meninas stands out, considered one of the most important paintings in all of Spain! And again… you will find on display masterpieces and works by Sandro Botticelli, Caravaggio, Correggio, Andrea Mantegna, Parmigianino, Raffaello, Giambattista Tiepolo, Tiziano; El Greco, Rogier van der Weyden, Hieronymus Bosch, Rembrandt, Pieter Paul Rubens, Antoon van Dyck, Jacob Jordaens and many more.
The various temporary exhibitions that are set up throughout the year are also of great value and certain interest. In addition, inside, the Church of San Jeronimo en Real is worth a visit.
The Museum is open every day according to the following schedule: from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00 to 20:00; Sundays and holidays, from 10:00 to 19:00. On 06/01, 24/12 and 26/12, from 10:00 to 14:00. Closed on 01/01, 01/05 and 25/12. Entry is allowed within 30 minutes of closing time; visitors must leave the galleries 10 minutes before closing time.
The entrance ticket costs €15.00 at full rate, and reduced, €7.50. Ticket plus audio guide: €25.00. We recommend purchasing your ticket online in advance to avoid queuing at the ticket office.
From Monday to Saturday, after 6pm, and on Sunday after 5pm YOU ALWAYS ENTER FOR FREE.
REINA SOFIA NACIONAL MUSEUM
Photo ©, Luis García
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is a splendid complex, located in the Hospital General de San Carlos; the latter is an unfinished building from the 18th century. The structure was then recovered through a series of works, including the three crystal towers. The Reina Sofia is a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art from the 1900s to the 1970s. Spread over 5 floors, it boasts important works including Pablo Picasso’s Guernica, a real attraction. In general, the whole museum is really beautiful, well kept, with well organized spaces. Excellent collection. All in a splendid setting. In our opinion, it is among the museums in Madrid not to be missed. The Museum is located near the Atocha metro station.
Open on Mondays, and from Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am to 9pm. On Sunday, from 10am to 2:30pm. Closed on Tuesday. The ticket costs 12.00€.
FREE ENTRY EVERY DAY AFTER 7 PM!
THYSSEN BORNEMISZA MUSEUM
With the Metro, get off at the Sevilla stop. Better not get too tired. A few minutes walk and you will reach the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum. It is housed in the Villahermosa Palace, an 18th century building. which, however, certainly does not strike the imagination; especially when compared to the nearby Prado. However, it is the interior that is most striking, or rather … how much kept. Above all, as for the variety and richness of the works. More than 800, belonging to the private collection of the Thyssen barons; a collection of works that the Thyssens have obtained during an exhausting search for over 70 years, among international markets. Today, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum houses works ranging from the 1300s to the mid-1900s; many are of absolute value. You will spend several hours admiring all these works. We advise you, not having much time available, to focus on those that may interest you most. At the entrance, with your ticket, you will receive a map with a list of major works. Alternatively, you can consult the official website from this link to get an overview.
TIUMETABLES: every day, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 19:00. On Mondays, from 12:00 to 16:00, only the permanent collection is open to the public. TICKETS: full, €13.00. Reduced (over 65, students, pensioners), €9.00. Free admission on Mondays