What is the best city to visit when it comes to museums? In our humble opinion, it’s Madrid.
The city is full of art, science and history museums. Which are the best and which are free? In Madrid, both are free! We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 museums in the Spanish capital that offer free admission at certain times. Because we know you’d rather spend money on a fancy dinner, right?
We’ve also put together a free museum calendar for you, so you can plan what’s worth seeing for free today!
Click here to open the entire calendar in a new window.
Obviously I can’t tell you what the best museums are, because although we are created equal, we are not all the same. But what I can tell you is what trips I’ve found to be worthwhile in a busy schedule.
It’s unfortunate that many people only visit Madrid for a long weekend, and if you try to pack everything there is to see into such a tight schedule, you’ll end up with a headache. Of course, this can be said of all major cities, but Madrid is the third largest city in the EU and has an amazing array of options. It’s better to take a few extra days to visit – and just think of the money you’ll save, when you have time to visit these museums for free!!
I personally consider the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum to be the best museum in Madrid. Not only is it housed in a beautiful palace on Paseo del Prado, but its collection is presented chronologically and thematically, making it easy to navigate and dive into your favorite period. The paintings range from 14th century Italian primitives to modern pop art as well as some sculptures.
Look into Rembrandt’s eyes, marvel at the softness that Caravaggio conveys in his works, and enjoy the entertainment of the playful artist Roy Lichtenstein. You can visit the museum for free every Monday from 12:00 to 16:00 and Saturday from 21:00 to 23:00.
Not only does the Museum of the History of Madrid offer fascinating insights into the history of Madrid, it also has one of the most beautiful parks in the city. Sitting under the shade of the trees and listening to the gurgling of the fountain was a balm for the soul after a day of urban noise.
The map room was particularly interesting, where you can see how Madrid has evolved over time. It is open free of charge every day from 10:00 to 20:00 except Monday. But in summer only until 19:00.
The Reina Sofia Museum is absolutely huge! It is located in the Sabatini Building (classical, white) and the Nouvelle Building (modern, colorful) and you won’t be able to visit them both during the short time that admission is free, as you will have to queue for about half an hour. We recommend that you either visit them on two occasions (this will prevent you from over-seeing the art too!) or pay the ticket fee to wander around the place for the whole day.
The collection includes more than 22,400 pieces, mostly contemporary art. The main piece is Guernica (1937), by Pablo Picasso. Free admission from Monday to Wednesday to Saturday evenings from 19:00 to 21:00, and also Sunday from 12:30 to 2:30.
One of the most luxurious museums in Madrid – and that’s saying a lot!
Located next to Plaza de España in Madrid, the Cerralbo Museum offers a glimpse into the opulent world of the Spanish aristocracy. Housed in a 19th-century palace, its carefully preserved rooms feature sumptuous furniture, rare art and a magnificent collection of armor.
You will be transported back in time, imagining the grandeur of the family life of the Marquis of Cerralbo. With its sumptuous atmosphere and rich history, the museum captivates everyone who enters its doors – and you can do so for free every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm and on Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
The National Archaeological Museum is also historical, dating back to 1867 when it was founded by Queen Isabella II, following the European trend of establishing large national museums to display evidence of each country’s history.
The renovated, spacious rooms are a joy to wander through, and the exhibitions are beautiful and not limited to Spain or its former colonies. The result is a fascinating and enlightening museum that you will want to visit again and again. And you can do so for free every Saturday afternoon from 2:00 pm to 20:00 and Sunday morning from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm.
The mother ship of museums. This institution is indispensable among museums. What the Louvre is to Paris, the Uffizi to Florence, and the Prado to Madrid. And here, you can visit it for free every day during the last two hours of its opening.
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Its collections are impressive, containing masterpieces by El Greco, Caravaggio, Bosch, Durer, Velázquez, Titian, Rubens, Goya, and many more. The museum celebrated its bicentennial in 2019, and the atmosphere of grandeur is clear to see.
Like walking into a jewelry box. Exotic, cute and expensive. These are the features that characterize this witness to the Romantic period. The Museum of Romanticism is housed in an 18th century palace, built for a marquis and then inhabited by counts. Everything is luxurious, grand and expensive and your eyes will feast on many details, if you are a fan of this type of historical museum.
They have certainly succeeded in capturing the romantic spirit in this museum, and you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in this time for free every Saturday afternoon from 14:00 until closing time and on Sunday from 10:00 until 15:00.
In France there is the Palace of Versailles, in Italy there is the Royal Palace of Caserta, and in Spain there is the Royal Palace of Madrid.
Here, the extravagance knows no bounds, whether it’s the detail of the marble mosaics, the lavishly decorated rooms or the sheer size of this palatial palace. It’s mind-boggling and if you try to take it all in during the two hours of free admission Monday to Thursday in the last two hours before closing time, your mind will boil!
It would be better to spend 10 euros on the entrance, which will allow you to enjoy the palace at your own pace. Or you can visit it twice for free, focus on different rooms and enjoy the peace and quiet. It’s a great walk to work up an appetite before dinner too!
The Royal Academy is open to visitors every Wednesday for free, and has been open to artists since its foundation in 1744. Francisco Goya was one of the academy’s directors, and some of its students included Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Today the academy serves as the headquarters of the Madrid Academy of Art.
The Academy Museum holds an exceptional heritage consisting of more than 1,400 paintings, 1,300 sculptures and 15,000 drawings, as well as prints, furniture, silverware, ceramics and other decorative arts. For me, the only painting by Arcimboldo in Spain: Spring is the highlight.
Yes, I have a soft spot for libraries. This magnificent institution and piece of architecture should be on my list of magical places to visit in Madrid for free. One of the rooms of the National Library Museum is dedicated to Cervantes and Don Quixote, and when I visited, an exhibition was on—to coincide with the 500th anniversary of the Italian artist’s death in May 1519—showcasing works by da Vinci. Codex MadridTwo manuscripts containing drawings, maps, scientific writings, and personal notes by da Vinci.
The library and museum are open free of charge to visitors from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and on Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00. Not only can you visit the museum for free, you can also sign up for a free guided tour on their website.
