The Best Museums in Madrid, According to a Local Art Historian
From the world-famous to the practically unheard of, here are the best museums in Madrid that focus on art and culture, according to local art historian Dr Carmen Fracchia.
Spain’s sprawling capital city of Madrid is particularly famous for its grand classical art museums, with the very best and grandest being the inimitable Museo Nacional del Prado, also known as the National Museum. Experts say it houses one of the most important European art collections in the world, and for 200 years, it has been ranked alongside the Louvre and the Victoria & Albert Museum as one of the most popular cultural attractions in Europe. For art lovers, there’s so much more to explore beyond the Prado. From off-the-beaten-track museums to culturally diverse galleries, Madrid-based art historian Dr Carmen Fracchia gives Culture Trip her tips and advice on the best museums to explore in Madrid.
1. Museo Cerralbo
Museum
Museo Cerralbo in the hip Malasaña neighbourhood isn’t “very well known” by travellers, according to Dr Fracchia, but its elaborate setting and unusual collections make it a must-visit. “This is an absolute visual feast,” she says. “The main staircase belonging to this stately home was one of the most scenographic spaces in 19th-century mansions in Madrid. First-rate European and Spanish paintings and objects from all over the world are displayed in this former opulent residence,” which belonged to an eminent Spanish archaeologist and politician, Enrique de Aguilera y Gamboa, 17th Marquis of Cerralbo, who died in 1922. Take a moment’s respite in the house’s ballroom, a maze of opulent mirrors, elaborate wall etchings and plush furnishings.
2. Museum of the Americas
Museum
In the 1500s, Spain colonised the Americas, taking on the Aztec Empire. Dr Fracchia explains that this museum, set within the well-to-do Chamberí neighbourhood, has an incredible insight into what life was like for Latin Americans before the conquest. There’s a unique collection of historical paintings, as well as sculptures, textiles, manuscripts, furniture, masks and objects from before the Spanish conquest. Dr Fracchia recommends “finding the exquisite Mexican folding screens decorated with Japanese golden clouds, and paintings made of multicoloured feathers or mother-of-pearl shells.”
4. Prado Museum
Museum
5. Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
Museum
6. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Museum
7. Museo Lázaro Galdiano
Museum
José Lázaro Galdiano was a famous Madrid-based businessman and passionate art collector. When he passed away in 1947, his extensive and intriguing personal collection was turned into a public gallery in his former home in the stately Salamanca district. Set up in an impressive Neo-Renaissance Italian stone mansion, this once private collection houses more than 12,000 archaeological items, jewellery, ceramics, paintings and sculptures from the sixth century BC to the 20th century. “Concentrate on the wonderful collection of paintings by Carreño, El Greco, Goya, Murillo, Ribera and Velázquez,” says Dr Fracchia.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.