Madrid is a city rich in culture and art, and has a large number of internationally renowned museums. Additionally, if you stay at Vitium Urban Suites you can visit them without any inconvenience as they are close to our location. The time you invest in each of the museums will depend on the personal interests you have in each of them.

Here you have a route and we suggest the time it will take to visit the highlights of some of the best museums in the city:

DAY 1: Prado Museum an Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum

Prado Museum: Explore the Jewels of Classical Painting

It is one of the most impostant and prestigious museums in the world when it comes to classical painting.

Entry prices:

• General admission: The price of general admission for adults is usually 15 euros per person.
• Reduced admission: Students, over 65s and youth card holders usually receive discounts on entry, which can vary, but is usually 7.50 euros.
• Free admission at certain times and days: as in the late afternoon, there are also free entry days for certain groups, such as children under 18 and people with disabilities.

If you want to access temporary exhibitions and if you plan to use an audio guide or other additional services you will have additional charges.

Visiting Time:

A general visit to the museum to see the most outstanding masterpieces, such as “Las Meninas” by Velázquez, “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by El Bosco and others, could take about 2 to 3 hours.

Here I present a selection of some of the jewels of classical painting that you can explore in this museum:

• Las Meninas by Velázquez: This is one of the most iconic masterpieces of the museum and of the entire history of art.
• Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights: This triptych is one of Hieronymus Bosch’s most famous works.
• The gentleman with the hand on El Greco’s chest: This portrait is characteristic of El Greco’s unique style.
• The Three Graces of Rubens: Peter Paul Rubens is known for his exuberant paintings of female figures.
• El Greco’s Knight with the Hand on His Chest: This portrait of a gentleman in a reflective and melancholic pose is characteristic of El Greco’s distinctive style.
• The Annunciation of Fra Angelico: This masterpiece of Renaissance religious art was painted by Fra Angelico. It shows the Virgin Mary and the archangel Gabriel in a moment of deep spirituality.
• Tintoretto’s Lavatory: This painting depicts the washing of the feet of Jesus’ disciples.
• Dürer’s Self-Portrait: Albrecht Dürer, one of the most influential artists of the German Renaissance, portrayed himself on several occasions.

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: A Walk through the History of Art

The Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum offers you the opportunity to take a complete tour of the history of Western art, from medieval art to contemporaneity. You can appreciate the evolution of styles, techniques and artistic movements through its exceptional collection of paintings and enjoy an enriching walk through the history of human creativity.

Entrance Prices:

• General admission: The price of general admission for adults is usually in the range of 15 to 17 euros per person.
• Reduced entry: Students, over 65s and young card holders generally receive discounts on entry, which can vary but generally range between 7.50 and 8.50 euros.

Visiting Time:

For a general visit in which you can enjoy the most outstanding masterpieces and get a good impression of the collection, at least 2 to 3 hours is recommended.

Here are some of the areas and highlights that will allow you to explore this history:

• The Renaissance: Start your art history tour on the ground floor, where you’ll find an impressive collection of Renaissance masterpieces.
• The Baroque: Move forward in time to the Baroque period and contemplate the works of great masters such as Caravaggio, Rubens and Rembrandt.
• Rococo and Neoclassicism: Continue your walk into the eighteenth century and explore Rococo and Neoclassical art.
• Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: The Thyssen-Bornemisza collection includes an outstanding selection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings.
• Expressionism and Modern Art: Advances towards the twentieth century and explores the artistic currents of expressionism and modern art.
• Surrealism and Abstract Art: The collection also includes important Surrealist works by artists such as Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst.
• Contemporary Art: The museum does not stop at the twentieth century, but also presents works of contemporary art by internationally renowned artists.
• Temporary Exhibitions: In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions that explore various aspects of art and culture, so it’s a good idea to check the current schedule before your visit.

Day 2: Reina Sofia Museum and National Archaeological Museum

Museo Reina Sofía: Immerse yourself in Contemporary Art

Spend your second day exploring the Museo Reina Sofia, which focuses on contemporary Spanish art.

Entrance Prices:

• General admission: The price of general admission for adults is usually in the range of 10 to 15 euros per person, depending on the temporary exhibitions that are underway at that time.
• Reduced entrances: Students, over 65s and young card holders usually receive discounts on entry, which can vary but generally range between 5 and 7.50 euros.
• Free admission: Like other museums in Madrid, the Reina Sofia Museum offers free admission at certain times and days, such as in the afternoons from Monday to Friday, as well as on some holidays and for certain groups, such as children under 18 and people with disabilities.

Visiting Time:

For a general visit in which you can appreciate the most important masterpieces, it is recommended to spend at least 2 to 3 hours.

Here are some of the most outstanding works and areas to immerse yourself in contemporary art in this museum:

• Picasso’s Guernica: The most famous and emblematic work of the Reina Sofía Museum is “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso.
• Surrealism and Avant-garde Rooms: The museum houses an exceptional collection of works by Surrealist and avant-garde artists.
• Abstract Art and Constructivism: Explore the rooms dedicated to abstract art and constructivism.
• Pop Art and Minimalism: The museum also houses representative works of pop art and minimalism.
• Contemporary Spanish Art Collection: The museum has an extensive collection of contemporary Spanish art.
• Temporary Exhibitions: Be sure to check the temporary exhibitions presented at the museum. The Reina Sofía is known for hosting innovative and provocative exhibitions of contemporary artists both national and international.
• Library and Study Center: If you want to delve even deeper into contemporary art, the museum has a library and a study center that offer academic resources and documentation related to the works and artists in its collection.

National Museum of Natural Sciences: A Scientific Adventure for the Whole Family

In the afternoon, The National Museum of Natural Sciences features a wide variety of exhibits ranging from paleontology to zoology and geology. It also offers educational activities and interactive programs for children.

Entrance Prices:

• General admission: The price of general admission for adults is usually in the range of 7 to 8 euros per person.
• Reduced admission: Students, over 65s and youth card holders generally receive discounts on entry, which can vary but generally range between 3.50 and 4 euros.
• Free admission: The museum offers free admission at certain times and on certain days, such as Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings. There are also free admission days for certain groups, such as children under 4 and people with disabilities.

Visiting Time:

For a general visit where you can explore the main areas and get a good impression of natural science, it is recommended to spend at least 2 to 3 hours.

Here is a guide to enjoy this museum:

• The Room of Human Evolution: Start your visit by exploring the Room of Human Evolution.
• Dinosaurs and Paleontology: Kids will love the dinosaur and paleontology section.
• Minerals and Rocks: Explore the section dedicated to minerals and rocks, where you can admire a variety of geological samples from different parts of the world.
• The Marine Invertebrate Room: This room exhibits a great diversity of marine specimens, including corals, shells and marine invertebrate animals.
• The Mammals and Birds Room: Here you can observe a collection of stuffed mammals and birds, providing an opportunity to learn about the anatomy and diversity of these species.
• Educational Activities: The National Museum of Natural Sciences offers educational programs and interactive activities for children, such as workshops and guided tours. You can check the calendar of activities to see if there are any scheduled during your visit.
• The Botanical Garden: Near the museum is the Botanical Garden, which is another ideal attraction for families. Here you can explore a variety of plants and trees from around the world in a beautiful natural setting.

This route will take you past some of Madrid’s most prominent museums, but the city has much more to offer in terms of culture and art. Feel free to explore other museums and galleries according to your personal interests. Enjoy your trip to Madrid!