Destination guides > Europe > Spain > Madrid > Sights, museums & tourist attractions
Madrid
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Museo Casa de la Moneda
Housed at the Royal Spanish Mint (Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre (FNMT)), this museum cronicles the history and usage of various measures of wealth including both coins and paper money, lottery tickets and stamps. There is also a major section devoted to drawing and engraving as well as a reference library featuring books from as early as the 16th century.
Calle del Doctor Esquerdo 36, Madrid
Metro O'Donell, Goya Bus 28, 30, 56, 71, 143, Circular
Tel 915 666 544
Website www.fnmt.es
Admission free
Open Tue-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-2pm
Museo de América
The Museo de América features artefacts from pre-Columbian Latin America including the Cortesano Manuscript. This museum offers a fascinating look at native American culture and pre-European civilisation in Latin America.
Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 6, Madrid
Metro Moncloa
Tel 915 439 437
Website http://museodeamerica.mcu.es
Admission €3, students €1.50
Open Tue-Wed 9.30am-3pm, Thu 4pm-7pm, Fri-Sat 9.30am-3pm, Sun 10am-3pm
Museo Arqueológico Nacional
This excellent archaeological museum features relics from Spain's prehistory through to Roman, Visigoth and Muslim periods. It is a great place to gain a better understanding of Spanish history, which is essential if you're touring elsehere in the country.
Calle Serrano 13, 28001 Madrid
Metro Retiro, Serrano Bus 1, 5, 9, 14, 19, 27, 45, 51, 74, 150
Tel 915 777 912
Website http://man.mcu.es/
Admission free
Open Tue-Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 9.30am-3pm
Museo Lázaro Galdiano
An impressive private collection of art ranging from paintings by Constable, Gainsborough and Goya to clocks, furniture, jewellery and various objects d'art.
Calle Serrano 122, 28006 Madrid
Metro Nuñez de Balboa
Tel 915 616 084
Website www.flg.es
Admission €4, students €3
Open Mon 10am-4.30pm, Wed-Sun 10am-4.30pm
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Madrid's top museum of modern art with an excellent collection of works by Dalí and Picasso. The main attraction here is Picasso's Guernica.
Santa Isabel 52, Madrid
Metro, Train Atocha Bus 6, 10, 14, 18,19, 26, 27, 32, 34, 36, 37, 41, 45, 46, 55, 57, 59, 68, 86, 119, Circular
Tel 914 675 062
Website www.museoreinasofia.es
Admission €6
Open Mon 10am-9pm, Wed-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
Madrid's Museum of Natural Sciences is filled with stuffed animals and such is really only worth a visit if you have an interest in the natural sciences however some of the exhibitions may be interest to others.
José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid
Metro Gregorio Marañón, Nuevos Ministerios, Ríos Rosas Train Nuevos Ministerios Bus 7, 12, 14, 27, 40, 45, 147, 150
Tel 914 111 328
Website www.mncn.csic.es
Admision €8
Open Jan-Jun Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm; Jul-Aug Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm; Sep-Dec Tue-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-2.30pm
Museo del Prado
The Museo del Prado is ranked as one of Europe's top art museums and features the work of many of Spain's and Europe's top Rennaissance artists. The museum is noted for its works by El Greco, Goya and Velázquez.
Paseo del Prado, s/n 28014 Madrid
Metro Atocha, Banco de España Bus 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37 & 45
Tel 913 302 800
Website www.museodelprado.es
Admission €8, non-EU citizens aged under 25 €4
Open Tue-Sun 9am-8pm
Museo Sorolla
This small museum's drawcard is the collection of paintings by Valencian artist Sorolla, although there are also works by other artists of the same period.
Paseo del General Martínez Campos 37, Madrid
Metro Iglesia, Ruben Darío Bus 5, 7, 14, 16, 27, 40, 45, 61, 147
Tel 913 101 584
Website http://museosorolla.mcu.es/
Admission €3
Open Tue-Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 10am-3pm
Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
Another top art museum complementing the Museo del Prado and Centro de Arte Reina Sofía with an eclectic collection of works from 14th century religious paintings to Impressionism and Pop Art. The museum is located in the Villahermosa Palace.
Paseo del Prado 8, Madrid
Metro Banco de España
Tel 914 203 944
Website www.museothyssen.org
Admission €7
Open Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Palacio Real
This royal palace and its adjoining gardens are a fascinating place to wander around. Although you can only visit around 50 of the 2800 rooms, you should be able to see the more interesting ones which include the Royal Armoury and Royal Pharmacy as well as paintings by Caravaggio, El Greco, Goya, Juan de Flandes, Rubens and Velázquez.
Bailén s/n, 28001 Madrid
Metro Sol
Tel 915 420 059
Website www.patrimonionacional.es
Admission €8-11
Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 9am-2pm
Parque del Buen Retiro
Originally built in the 17th century as a retreat for Felipe IV, the Parque del Buen Retiro is Madrid's top picnic spot and one of Europe's greatest city parks - a perfect place to relax when you've had enough with museums.
Metro Retiro, Ibiza, Menéndez Pelayo
