19 Top Museums in Madrid – A Culture Lover’s Guide

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Museums are one of the best ways to dive into a city’s culture and history. They let you step inside the past, connect with stories you’ve only read about, and uncover surprising details you never knew existed. Madrid is home to some of the most renowned museums in Europe, alongside many hidden gems that even locals sometimes overlook. Whether you’re into art, history, science, or something a little more unusual, this guide will help you explore the top museums in Madrid beyond the obvious highlights.

Would you like to discover more exhibitions, galleries & museums in Madrid? Check out our incredible articles on the Paseo del Prado, Madrid’s Beautiful Palaces and especially our individual profiles on each of Madrid’s Famous Museums!

1. Paseo del Arte

No list of Madrid’s museums would be complete without mentioning the famous Paseo del Arte. This area of Madrid brings together the city’s three most iconic museums – the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofía, along with other celebrated institutions like CaixaForum and the Naval Museum. Since we’ve already covered these in detail in our dedicated guide, we’ll simply give them an honourable mention here.

2. Museo del Romanticismo

This museum is dedicated to displaying a large collection of artifacts and art pieces from the 19^th century Romanticism period. The pieces depict the period’s dedication to emotions and love, as well as themes like liberty and imagination. The museum’s permanent collection is made up of paintings, furniture pieces, drawings, and art objects that show the daily life of Spaniards during the Romanticism period. In the museum’s multiple rooms, you can see paintings by Goya on the walls, as well as objects like a full billiards table and an ornately carved writing desk!

Where: Calle San Mateo, 13

3. Museo Cerralbo

Known as the best house museum in Madrid, the Cerralbo house has one of the most impressive personal art and literature collections in Europe. Visitors get an inside look at life in Spanish high society during the 19th century, as they tour the home of the famous Marquis of Cerralbo. The house is almost completely identical to its original interior set-up and most items inside the house are original pieces.

Where: Calle de Ventura Rodríguez, 17

4. Museum of Fashion (Museo del Traje)

This unknown museum started off as a special Historic Costume Exhibition in 1925. Eventually, the event became so popular that the city decided to make it permanent. Now, fashion lovers everywhere can enjoy over 160,000 pieces of history at the Museum of Fashion (also referred to as the Museum of Costumes). The museum also offers regular temporary exhibits for both historical and modern fashion and photography, as well as many courses and conferences.

Where: Avenida de Juan de Herrera, 2

5. Temple de Debod

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Temple of Debod is one of my favourite spots here in Madrid. A little piece of Egypt sits in the city centre and it’s a great location to sit back and relax. The structure was originally built in Egypt along the Nile as a temple to the gods Amun and Isis. The temple was rebuilt in Madrid as a symbol of unity between Spain and Egypt. The museum inside the building is not very big, but it is very authentic. The exhibition features the story of the temple’s reconstruction as well as many ancient relics and original wall art.

Where: Calle Ferraz, 1

6. Museo Lazaro Galdiano

Another hidden treasure is this unconventional museum that houses over 12,000 pieces of art ranging from prehistoric coins and jewelry to some of Goya’s most famous drawings and prints. Museo Lazaro Galdiano‘s vast collection was once owned by Spanish socialite José Lazaro Galdiano. The collection was converted into a public museum after his death. During his life, Lazaro Galdiano was also the editor of a literary magazine named La España Moderna and today the museum also holds over 20,000 books from his personal library and archives!

Where: Calle Serrano, 122

7. Estación de Chamberí

This historic metro station was transformed into a historical museum experience in 2008 and aims to display the reality of the Madrid metro in the early 1920s. The station is a perfect example of the changing metropolitan landscape of Madrid at that time. It was designed by famous architect Antonio Palacios in 1919, and was actually closed for public use in 1962, but today it offers a glimpse into the past. The engine shed has been restored to look almost exactly like it did in the 1920s.

Where: Metro line 1, in between the stations Iglesia and Bilbao

8. Casa Árabe

The Arab House in Madrid is less of a museum and more of an experience. The facility focuses on Arab art, culture and history and has much to offer it’s visitors. The exhibits change regularly and vary between gastronomy, art shows, historic displays and cinematic viewings. Visitors can also attend many educational lectures, conferences and even language classes. Casa Árabe also has a beautiful terrace restaurant/bar where you can enjoy the sun while listening to traditional music.

Where: Calle Alcalá, 62

9. Museo de Historia de Madrid

The Museum of the History of Madrid is a staple in Madrid culture and history. With special exhibits from prehistoric eras, to Madrid’s golden age when it became the capital. The museum contains many items that illustrate life in Madrid over the centuries. This is a public building and is free for anyone, anytime!

Where: Calle Fuencarral, 78

10. La Casa Encendida

Another one of Madrid’s social and cultural centres. It’s made up of several galleries, very interesting exhibits, workshops for painting, crafts and special workshops for children. All of these factors come together from the most avant-garde artistic expressions. Don’t miss the building’s terrace in the garden of La Casa Encendida, a small pocket of nature that will make you forget you are in the middle of the city! The best part of this hidden treasure is that it’s free!

Where: Ronda de Valencia, 2

11. La Biblioteca Nacional de España

The National Library of Spain is no ordinary library. It is not only the largest library in Spain, but it is one of the largest libraries in the world! In 1712 the King granted a Royal Letters Patent that made it mandatory for all printers to send a copy of all new books printed in Spain to the library. This patent made it possible for the National Library to collect and preserve a massive amount of books over time! In addition to the patent, the Library helped preserve over 500,000 books that were confiscated from churches, palaces, and private residences during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s.

Where: Paseo de Recoletos, 20-22

12. Museo Arqueológico Nacional (MAN)

If you love history, old things and artifacts from ancient civilizations, you need to check out the amazing National Archaeology Museum in Madrid! The museum is located in Castellana and features 4 floors of galleries which take you through the history of Spain, Europe and other parts of the world. From pre-history to the ancient world and medieval to Renaissance time periods. And it doesn’t stop there. The museum also hosts classic historical theatre, informative lectures on archaeology and ancient civilizations, private evening tours and special monthly exhibitions!

Where: Calle de Serrano, 13,

13. Museo Sorolla

During the final years of the nineteenth century, Joaquín Sorolla Bastida was busy painting the picturesque landscapes and impressive portraits of his native Spain and its peoples. Today this hidden treasure is still known for his remarkable use of light to illuminate the landscapes he painted. His home, Museo Sorolla has a large Andalusian garden, similar in style to the sprawling gardens of the Alcazar of Sevilla and the Alhambra in Granada. It also contains a “patio andaluz”, an open-air patio in the center of the building!

Where: Paseo del General Martínez Campos

14. Museo Africano Mundo Negro

This unique and unusual museum offers an interactive and engaging way to explore the cultural history of the distinct countries south of the Sahara desert. This hidden treasure displays a collection of objects, costumes, and art pieces that depict the practices of everyday life in various African countries. It also displays more specific historical artifacts meant for religious or spiritual ceremonies. If you are interested in learning about the rich culture and history of sub-Saharan Africa, head to the Museo African Mundo Negro for a fascinating and educational experience!

Where: Calle de Arturo Soria, 101

15. Congreso de Los Diputados

The Congreso de los Diputados is the lower cabinet of the general courts of Spain, and is located in the Palacio de los Cortes (The Palace of the Courts). Inside, the Spanish congress holds all of its proceedings and meetings. There is also a large library and conference hall, sometimes called the hall of the lost steps! The building also has a magnificent collection of tapestries and paintings.

Where: Carrera de S. Jerónimo, S/N

16. San Isidro Museum

the Museo de San Isidro offers a look into the rich history of Madrid through archaeological pieces, models and prints. The collection covers all periods in the history of Madrid and its surroundings areas from prehistory up until present day! This unknown museum gets its name from none other than the patron saint of Madrid, San Isidro. The building has been called many things over the years, but most call it the Casa de San Isidro, because it is believed the saint lived and died there! The building has an open plaza and a beautiful chapel that has been preserved perfectly.

Where: Plaza de San Andrés, 2

17. Royal Palace

Although it is the official residence of the royal family of Spain, they do not actually live there permanently and it is only used for state ceremonies. However, the Palacio Real is truly a site of wealth and beauty. It has 3,418 rooms although only a few of the larger rooms are open to the public. The rooms are decorated with paintings by famous artists like Caravaggio, Velasquez, and Goya and the palace also holds one of the largest collections of historic armour!

Where: Calle de Bailén

18. Casa Museo Lope de Vega

This beautiful unknown museum is actually the house of yet another famous Spaniard, Golden Age writer Lope de Vega. He lived in this beautiful 16th century house for 25 years until his death and wrote many of his greatest plays and poems during his stay there. The Casa Museo Lope de Vega offers a glimpse into the life of the author. On display are many relics and manuscripts from the Golden Age of Spanish literature. The collection includes a large number of 17th century books on loan from the National Library and many of Lope de Vega’s personal books and objects.

Where: Calle de Cervantes, 11

19. Goya’s Pantheon

This hidden treasure is no ordinary museum. At least, not by the typical standards of historical museums. Goya’s Patheon is a temple or worship, a memorial burial ground and a mini art gallery! The historical Spanish painter was buried here in 1919 after he went missing in exile for several years. The unknown museum is shrouded in strange mysteries, mostly because of the strange incident where Goya’s head went missing…That’s right. Missing. Entrance to the museum is free, and throughout the halls of the pantheon visitors can marvel at some of Goya’s most impressive works.