Madrid offers a great selection of art and cultural museums, and while most are not ALWAYS free, most of them are free at certain times during the week. In this post, I made a list of the best museums in Madrid as when as well as when the museums are free in Madrid. See below for free museums in Madrid!
I have been here for 6…7? weeks now (what?) so it’s getting a little ridiculous that when people ask what kind of things I have done/seen in MADRID, I’m like um……let’s see….um…nothing. It’s time to step up my game and start exploring more of what Madrid has to offer. Because guess what? There is so much here, and much of it is FREE all the time, or during certain hours of the week. I am making it my personal goal to do ONE cultural activity every week, whether it be a museum, a tour, a famous site, eating churros and chocolate, you know..whatever. Starting this week, no excuses.
[Edited to add: I wrote this post on Wednesday, and on Thursday, my little legs carried me all the way to El Prado and I wandered around the galleries for about an hour. At first, I thought an hour wouldn’t be enough time, but after 50 minutes, my eyes began to roll back into my head and my ears started to blow smoke. I can only handle so much “culture” in one sitting. Poco a poco… Anyway, I really enjoyed my time there and I only saw a very, very small fraction of the museum. I’m excited to go back during other weeks and explore more, either alone or with people that put up with me. A little alone time was nice, though. And hey, it was FREE, so I can go back as often or as little as I want, and not feel obligated to spend a ton of time there.]
1. Museo of Fashion (Museo del Traje)
Began as an exhibition in 1925, but eventually became a permanent exhibition.
Free: Saturday after 2:30 pm and all day on Sunday
Where: Avenida de Juam de Herrera, 2
Normal Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30-7:00pm, Sunday and Holidays, 10:00-3:00
Metro: Ciudad Universitaria
2. Museo Arqeologico Nacional
4 floors of galleries from pre-historical to Renaissance time periods. The museum also hosts classical historical theatre, informative lectures on archaelogy and ancient civilizations and monthly exhibitions.
Free: (General admission) Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings
Where: Calle Serrano, 13
Normal Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30-8:00 pm and Sundays & Holidays, 9:30-3:00 pm
Metro: Serrano or Colon
3. Museo Naval de Madrid
Free: Every day that it is open.
Where: Paseo del Prado, 5
Normal Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-7:00
Metro: Banco de Espana
4. Museo del Prado
Art museum with sculptures, drawings and famous paintings.
Free: Monday to Saturday, 6pm-8pm and Sundays and Holidays from 5pm to 7pm
Where: Calle Ruiz de Alarcon 23
Normal Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10:00-8:00 pm and Sundays & Festivals, 10:00-7:00
Metro: Banco de Espana
5. Museo de Historia de Madrid
Madrid culture and history with special exhibits from prehistoric eras to Madrid’s golden age when it became the capital. The museum has collections that illustrate life in Madrid over the centuries.
Free: Free for anyone, anytime.
Where: Calle Fuencarral, 78
Normal Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 8:00 pm
Metro: Tribunal
6. Museo Thyssen
Set inside a mansion from 1806, this museum has over 800 paintings. It features exhibits from the 13th century to the present day.
Free: Every Monday, free entry to the Permanent Collections between 12pm and 4pm
Where: Paseo del Prado, 8
Normal Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00-7:00 pm and Monday, 12:00-4:00 pm
Metro: Banco de Espana
7. Museo del Romanticismo
Featured in the 1,400-piece collection are incredible articles such as grand pianos and wall size oil paintings from artists including Francisco de Goya, Federico de Madrazo, Leonardo Alenza & more.
Free: Saturdays after 2 pm (but normally only 3 Euro)
Where: Calle San Mateo, 13, 28004 Madrid
Normal Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 9:30-6:30 pm and Sundays & Festivals, 10;00-3:00 pm
[*All photos c/o Google Images]
[Some information taken from Citylife Madrid Blog, but all information is available via Google]
