Museo Naval in Madrid

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Located just off the Paseo del Prado, nestled inside the headquarters of the Spanish Navy, the Museo Naval (Naval Museum) is one of Madrid’s most underrated museums. It’s not just for history buffs or naval nerds (although they’ll definitely have a field day); this museum is packed with dramatic paintings, ancient weapons, globes, letters, treasure maps, and enough model ships to make you seriously consider rewatching Pirates of the Caribbean. The Museo Naval offers a deep dive into Spain’s maritime past, from epic voyages and sea battles to the height of global exploration, and also invites reflection on the complex legacy of an empire that once spanned continents. It’s a place that showcases not just Spain’s naval power, but also the impact it had on the world, for better and for worse.

If you’re exploring the city’s cultural scene, don’t miss our recommendations on Madrid’s most notable museums and exhibitions, like Madrid’s Hidden Treasures and the famous Paseo del Arte.

About the Museo Naval in Madrid

What makes the Museo Naval so compelling is its scope. The collection spans over five centuries of Spain’s maritime history, starting with the Catholic Monarchs and sailing all the way to the present. You’ll get a clear view of how Spain charted its course toward becoming one of the most powerful naval empires in the world, and how it managed to stay afloat (or not) through storms of war, trade, and colonisation. Founded in 1843, the museum now houses over 10,000 artefacts. From swords and sextants to captain’s journals, every object feels like a message in a bottle from a different century. And of course, there are ship models. Some are dainty and gold-lined; others are full-on floating cities, complete with cannons, rigging, and high-seas drama. The crown jewel? The map of Juan de la Cosa, drawn in 1500 and considered the first known map to include the Americas.

Visiting Information

To make your visit to the Naval Museum a smooth sailing, check out the following details on the museum’s hours of operation and ticket prices. Find additional visiting information here.

Visiting Hours

Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 to 19:00

Price

General free admission: Always, but a donation of about 3,00€ is suggested for the upkeep of the museum.

tip: Bring your ID; the museum is located inside a military building

Museo Naval Address

Paseo del Prado, 5
Metro: Banco de España (Line 2)

What to See at the Naval Museum in Madrid

The museum layout guides you through the evolution of Spanish naval history room by room, starting with medieval maritime adventures and ending with modern naval technology. Here are a few must-sees:

Juan de la Cosa’s Map (1500)

One of the museum’s most historically significant items, this is the earliest known map to include the Americas. Created by cartographer Juan de la Cosa who sailed with Columbus, it’s drawn on oxhide and provides a fascinating glimpse into how Europeans first visualised the New World.

Astronomical Instrument Case (1596)

Made for King Philip II by Thobias Volckhmer, this set is as beautiful as it is brainy. Inside the box are maps of both hemispheres, decorated with ships and sea monsters, along with tools for measuring and dual calendars (Julian and Gregorian). It’s part scientific tool, part luxury object, and a reminder that exploration was just as much about math as it was about myth.

Model of a Flemish Galleon (1593)

One of the oldest ship models in the museum (and in the world), this 16th-century Flemish galleon was likely made as a votive offering, thanking the heavens for a safe voyage or naval victory. It comes from Spain’s royal collection and hangs like a relic from the ceiling. While it lacks a precise scale, it’s an invaluable visual record of how these ships were built and sailed during the height of European exploration.

Model of Warship “Real Borbón” (1818)

Commissioned by King Ferdinand VII and built by Pedro de Lima, this three-deck warship model is a masterpiece of naval design and model-making. Based on the “Real Carlos” ship plan, it features 140 cannons and all the flair of Spain’s naval golden age. MAde with luxury materials and a lot of detail, it’s less a model and more a miniature monument. Bonus: Queen Isabel II donated both the model and the ornate case it’s displayed in.

The Defence of La Carraca Shipyards (1874)

Painted by Rafael Monleón, who was also a restorer at the museum, this powerful scene shows the failed attempt to take the La Carraca arsenal during the Cantonal Rebellion. The frigate “Navas de Tolosa” dominates the foreground, leading loyalist forces in defence of the shipyard. It’s a dramatic, cinematic depiction of a tense moment in a turbulent century.