One of the best things about Madrid’s museums is that so many of them offer free access. For some of the free museums in Madrid, free entry is restricted to certain days and times but for others, entry is free at all times.
A trip to Madrid really wouldn’t be complete without exploring some of these magnificent museums. There are plenty to choose from, covering subjects as diverse as ancient money and modern art, so I’ve compiled this list to help you easily find the ones that suit you.
I’ve visited the Spanish capital multiple times and regularly seek out interesting museums on my trips. This guide lists my top eleven free museums in Madrid. It includes all the useful details, like opening times and the nearest metro (not forgetting the all-important information on the times when it’s free to visit).
Top 11 Free Museums in Madrid
Reina Sofia Museum (Museo Reina Sofia)
A fabulously large collection of modern art and graphical art. Here you can enjoy exploring the wide staircases and airy rooms of the building, as well as the creative works.
In fact, the museum is housed in two properties, which have been cleverly combined. The contents of the museum intertwine across both the Sabatini building and the Nouvel building.
The big attraction at the Reina Sofia Museum is Picasso’s Guernica, and understandably so. However, there is so much more to this place, including wonderful works on resistance in Latin America.
I also found the early examples of infographics fascinating (appealing to both my creative and geek sides, this exhibition was made for me).
I have to say that the Reina Sofia is absolutely hands down one of the best free Madrid museums and should be included on your itinerary even if you only have one day in Madrid.
The fact you can visit it for free is almost as hard to believe as it is wonderful.
Reina Sofia museum, Madrid, free entry is limited to certain times. At free entry times, head to the entrance on Ronda de Atocha, near the corner of Calle de Argumosa, the queue to get in is likely to be smaller than at the entrance on Calle de Santa Isabel.
Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and never more so than with art, so if this kind of modern art is not your thing, don’t worry, because there are plenty of other options on this list. That’s the great thing about a visit to Madrid, there’s a free access museum for everyone.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 9 pm (closed Tuesdays), Sunday 10.00 am – 2.30 pm
Reina Sofia museum Madrid free entry: Monday – Saturday, 7 pm – 9 pm (closed Tuesdays), Sunday 12.30 pm – 2.30 pm
Cost at other times: €12
Address: Calle Santa Isabel, 52
Nearest metro stop: Estación Del Arte
Mint Museum (Casa de la Moneda)
If you’re a fan of free museums and the global smash hit TV series Money Heist (Casa de Papel) then this free museum in Madrid might just be top of your list.
Although it’s not actually where they filmed the series, the Mint Museum is still somewhere you want to visit, not least for the Insta opportunities. Check out my article on Instagram Captions for Spain if you need some inspiration for your feed.
La Casa de la Moneda is actually one of the finest examples of museums dedicated to money. And who doesn’t like looking at lots of lovely cash?
Enjoy discovering the history of money and its origins. Along with notes, coins, stamps and other examples of currency, there are displays of the machines used to create money.
You can also mint your own medal whilst visiting. Now that’s my kind of hands-on exhibit.
Note that ID is required to enter.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10 am – 8 pm, Saturday – Sunday, 10 am – 2 pm
Free entry: at all times
Address: Calle del Doctor Esquerdo, 36
Nearest metro stop: O’Donnell
Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum (Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza)
Madrid’s ‘golden art triangle’ includes the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (known as Thyssen). Located centrally in Madrid, almost opposite the Museo del Prado, Thyssen is the home of the art collection of Baron Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza.
The collection, which opened as recently as 1992, covers works from the 13th century to 20th century.
European art from greats such as Degas, Caravaggio, Cézanne and van Gogh is well represented here. Immerse yourself in the masterpieces.
Opening hours: Monday, 12 – 4 pm, Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm
Free entry: Mondays, 12 – 4 pm and Saturdays*, 9 – 11 pm
*Free entry is limited to the temporary exhibitions on the ground floor and floor 1 only.
Cost at other times: from €13
Address: Paseo del Prado, 8,
Nearest metro stop: Banco de España
Museum of America (Museo de América)
As well as offering free admission times, the Museum of America is one of Spain’s hidden gems. It’s less well known than some of the other places on this list of Madrid’s free museums and, as such, has the advantage of not being as busy.
However, being a hidden gem doesn’t mean it’s a small museum. There is plenty to see.
This museum is one of my absolute favourite museums in Madrid with free access. I suggest you plan to spend a good couple of hours here. You’ll need the time to get around the large collection.
The museum considers the heritage of the American continent and the peoples that have historically inhabited it. Items of interest include wonderful examples of Amazonian textiles, Columbian gold and Mexican pottery. Plus there’s a whole room dedicated to cartography, showing how maps of the Americas have developed over time.
The exhibition information text is in Spanish but you can access an audio guide in English or French. Although the collection is very visually engaging, so you can enjoy a visit without needing a guide.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9.30 am – 3 pm, (Thursday, 9.30 am – 7 pm), Sunday 10 am – 3 pm
Free entry: Thursday, 2 pm – 7 pm, Sundays
Cost at other times: €3
Address: Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 6
Nearest metro stop: Moncloa
Naval Museum
Located in the Headquarters of the Spanish Navy, this museum will appeal to military history enthusiasts. There’s plenty to see here, with artefacts covering the Middles Ages right up to the present.
The Naval museum highlights Spain’s maritime exploration and presents some interesting maps and information on ship building.
My favourite exhibits were the navigation instruments on display. The craft that went in to creating them is clear to see.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm, (during August, 10 am – 3 pm)
Free entry: at all times (a donation of €3 is suggested)
Address: Paseo del Prado
Nearest metro stop: Estación del Art/ Banco de España
Velázquez Palace, Retiro Park (Palacio de Velázquez)
Constructed in 1883, Velázquez Palace is situated in the beautiful El Retiro Park. It’s free of charge to enter both the park and Velázquez Palace, so I recommend allowing several hours to visit both.
The palace forms part of the Reina Sofia Museum spaces, along with the neighbouring Crystal Palace.
Exhibitions are changeable so check out what’s on on the Reina Sofía website at the time of your visit. Previous shows have included works by Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin and Juan Muñoz.
Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 10 pm (April – September, closes at 6 pm or 7 pm the rest of the year)
Free entry: at all times
Address: El Retiro park
Nearest metro stop: Retiro/Ibiza
National Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico Nacional)
Founded in 1867, the National Archaeological Museum in Madrid houses 13,000 exhibits. These include items from ancient Greece, Roman Hispania and Egypt. In fact, the museum covers prehistory right up to the 19th century.
The space is divided up into three themes: Archaeology and Heritage, Spain, a Cultural Meeting Place and From Cabinet to Museum. Highlights include the Guarrazar crowns and the Lady of Elche.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9.30 am – 8 pm, Sunday, 9.30 am – 3 pm
Free entry: Saturday, 2 pm – 8 pm, Sunday, mornings
Cost at other times: €3
Address: Calle de Serrano, 13
Nearest metro stop: Retiro
Sorolla Museum (Museo Sorolla)
Situated a little further from the centre than some of the others on this list of Madrid free museums, Sorolla is worth the extra few minutes on the metro or the cost of a Madrid Uber.
The building is the former home of artist Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida (1863 – 1923). The museum opened in 1932 and shows the house as it would have been during the artist’s life, as well as examples of his work.
This is a small museum but the gorgeous gardens provide a lovely spot to take a moment out of your busy museum visiting schedule.
Enjoy a rest on one of the seats, or the decorative steps, and admire the statues, greenery and fountains, all designed by the artist himself.
Sorolla museum free entry is limited to specific times, check the info box below for details.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 9.30 am – 8 pm, Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
Sorolla museum free entry: Saturday, 2 pm – 8 pm, Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
Cost at other times: €3
Address: Calle General Martínez Campos, 37
Nearest metro stop: Iglesia/ Rubén Darío
Prado Museum (Museo del Prado)
The location of Prado, on Paseo del Prado, means you can enjoy a wander down the wide boulevard, stopping for photos of the Neptune fountain on the way, before you enter the museum.
Prado is probably the most famous museum in Madrid, with a collection that includes a wide variety of artists. At more than 200 years old, the size of the museum collection is significant. The Spanish artworks here are extensive and the collection covers much more besides. Heavyweights like Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio and Goya, to name but a few, are all represented.
In addition to the huge number of paintings, Prado houses more than 700 sculptures. To assist you in navigating the vastness of the collection, the museum website offers several itineraries to help you plan your trip to the Prado.
Prado museum Madrid free entry is limited to specific times. Details are in the info box below.
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday, 10 am – 7 pm
Prado museum Madrid free entry: Monday – Saturday, 6 pm – 8 pm, Sunday, 5 pm – 7 pm
Cost at other times: €15
Address: Paseo del Prado
Nearest metro stop: Estación del Art/ Banco de España
Madrid History Museum (Museo de Historia de Madrid)
The Baroque façade of the building which houses the Madrid History Museum is worth a visit alone. Although the property is historical, the museum was completely renovated in 2014 so offers a modern museum experience.
The collection enables visitors to take a look through the history of the city and its residents since the 16th century.
A variety of objects, such as stamps, photos and other ephemera, show the development of Madrid over the ages.
Artefacts are split into three main thematic areas spread over three floors; Madrid, Court and Capital of Two Worlds, Madrid, Centre of Power and Madrid, Dream of a New City. Display details are in Spanish and English.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm (closes at 7 pm during summer)
Free entry: at all times
Address: Calle de Fuencarral, 78
Nearest metro stop: Tribunal
CentroCentro at Cibeles Palace (Palacio de Cibeles)
Built in 1909, the dazzling white façade of the Madrid Town Hall is an impressive-looking building. It was also the headquarters of the Spanish Post Office in a previous life.
Inside, it houses CentroCentro, an art and cultural centre, occupying several floors of the palace. The focus of CentroCentro is on contemporary art and exhibitions change regularly. CentroCentro also provides free guided tours of the building, reservations are required.
An additional attraction here is the Mirador Madrid Lookout, which offers brilliant views across Madrid, but there is a small fee to experience this.
After your visit, don’t forget to check out the 18th-century Cibeles fountain outside and directly opposite the Cibeles Palace.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm
Free entry: at all times
Cost of the Mirador Madrid lookout: €3
Address: Plaza Cibeles, 1A
Nearest metro stop: Banco de España
Which places on this list of Madrid free museums have you visited? Let me know your favourite in the comments below.
FAQs: Free Museums in Madrid
When are museums free in Madrid?
Many museums in Madrid offer free access, either at all times or only during specific days and hours. It’s important to note that the free entry times vary between museums, and it’s recommended to check the specific times for each museum before visiting.
When is Prado museum free?
The Prado Museum is free during the last two hours of each day. Specifically, from Monday to Saturday, the museum can be visited for free between 6 pm and 8 pm. On Sundays, free entry is available from 5 pm to 7 pm. These times are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the museum’s official website for the most current information
When is Reina Sofia museum free?
Reina Sofia museum in Madrid offers free entry during certain hours, from Monday to Saturday (except Tuesday, when the museum is closed), 7 pm to 9 pm. On Sundays, free entry is available from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. Times are subject to change, so it’s always a good idea to check the museum’s official website for the most up to date information.
