The best museums in Madrid

In this article, we bring you a list of some of the best museums in the city and what you can find in them. Discover the famous works of art they house and the artists who have left their mark on their walls.

Must-visit museums in Madrid

Museo del Prado

The Prado Museum is one of the most important art museums in the world and one of the best museums in Madrid. This art gallery houses an extensive collection of masterpieces by artists from around the world, especially great figures of Spanish art. Among the outstanding pieces you can admire at the Prado Museum in Madrid are:

• "Las Meninas" by Velázquez


• "The Third of May 1808 in Madrid" by Goya


• "Saturn Devouring His Son" also by Goya


• "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch


• "David Victorious over Goliath" by Caravaggio


• "The Three Graces" by Rubens

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

The Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid focuses primarily on modern and contemporary art, forming part of Madrid's Art Triangle along with the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. It is particularly famous for its collection of works by 20th-century Spanish artists. Some of the most iconic pieces you can see include:

• "Guernica" by Pablo Picasso


• "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" by Goya


• "The Great Masturbator" by Salvador Dalí


• "The Open Window" by Juan Gris


• "Snail, Woman, Flower, Star" by Joan Miró

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum offers one of the most diverse collections in Madrid, ranging from the Renaissance to modern art. Some of its most notable pieces include:

• "Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi Tronabuoni" by Domenico Bigordi


• "Dancer Bending Forward" by Edgar Degas


• "The Annunciation" by El Greco


• "Portrait of Henry VIII of England" by Hans Holbein the Younger


• "Hotel Room" by Edward Hopper


• "The Dream" by Franz Marc

National Archaeological Museum

For history enthusiasts, the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid offers an in-depth exploration of the civilisations that have shaped the Iberian Peninsula over the centuries.

Among its most iconic pieces is the "Lady of Elche", a 5th-century Iberian sculpture discovered at the La Alcudia site.

Madrid History Museum

Located in the former Hospice of San Fernando, this museum offers a detailed look at Madrid's evolution from its origins to the present day.

One of the museum's most unique elements is its 1:500 scale model of 19th-century Madrid, created by León Gil de Palacio. The model allows visitors to appreciate what the city was like at that time and compare its development to the present day.

Museo Sorolla

The Sorolla Museum in Madrid is a haven dedicated to the painter Joaquín Sorolla, famous for his genre scenes and luminous Mediterranean landscapes. The museum is in the artist's former residence and studio and retains much of the original decor and furnishings. The museum's garden was designed by the painter himself, inspired by Andalusian courtyards.

Among Sorolla's most famous works on display are "Walk on the Beach", "My Wife and Children", and "Clotilde Seated on the Sofa".

Discover the top museums in Madrid

These museums in Madrid offer a deep insight into Spain's culture and heritage, so we recommend visiting them when you're in the city.

To make the most of your visit, we recommend staying at The Principal Madrid, a 5-star hotel on Madrid's Gran Vía. With 76 luxury rooms and suites, the elegant Ático Restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with spectacular views, it is the perfect retreat for your stay in the capital.

Book your stay at The Principal Madrid.