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Madrid

Sights

Museo Casa de la Moneda

Housed at the 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 (91) 566 65 44

Website www.fnmt.es

Admission free

Open Tue-Fri 10am-7.30pm, 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 (91) 543 9437

Website http://museodeamerica.mcu.es

Admission €3, students €1.50

Open Tue-Sat 9.30am-3pm, Sun & public holidays 10am-3pm37

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 (91) 577 7912

Website www.man.es

Admission €3, students €1.50, free Sat 2.30pm-8.30pm

Open Tue-Sat 9.30am-8.30pm, Sun 9.30am-2.30pm

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 (91) 561 6084

Website www.flg.es

Admission €4, students €3

Open Mon & 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 (91) 467 5062

Website http://museoreinasofia.mcu.es/

Admission €3, students €1.50, free Sat 2.30pm-9pm

Open Mon & 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 (91) 411 1328

Website www.mncn.csic.es

Admision €3, students €2.40, higher charge for temporary exhibits

Open 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 (91) 330 2800

Website http://museoprado.mcu.es/

Admission €6, students €3

Open Tue-Sun 9am-7pm

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 (91) 310 1584

Website http://museosorolla.mcu.es/

Admission €2.40, students €1.20

Open Tue-Sat 9.30am-3pm, Sun 10am-3pm

Museum 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 (91) 420 3944

Website www.museothyssen.org

Admission €6, students €4

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 (91) 542 0059

Website www.patrimonionacional.es

Admission €7, students €5.50

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