The Most Visited Museums of Spain
Spain is a country that houses some of the best museums in the world. It has museums that showcase the history of the country and other interesting things too.
Some of the Most Visited Museums of Spain include Museo del Prado, which is a massive collection of classical Spanish art. It was opened to the public in 1819.
1. Museo del Prado
The Prado Museum, or Museo Nacional del Prado in Spanish, is the jewel in Madrid’s crown and a must-visit for any art lover visiting Spain. It houses one of the most renowned collections in the world, comprising some 9,000 paintings (a quarter of which are on display), plus more than 5,000 drawings and 2,000 engravings along with 700 sculptures. The museum’s immense size can feel overwhelming, so it’s best to plan ahead and take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.
The collection was assembled by the Spanish monarchs through centuries of patronage and a number of purchases. The works span from Romanesque and Gothic periods to the 19th Century, and there’s something to delight every art-loving visitor. Highlights include Velazquez’s enigmatic Las Meninas, Goya’s dramatic Pinturas Negras, and the masterful paintings of Spanish Golden Era painters like Murillo, Ribera, and Zurbaran.
Located a short walk from the relaxing Parque del Retiro, the Prado Museum is easy to reach on foot. However, it can be crowded at the peak times of the day. To avoid the queues, make sure to pre-book your tickets to the museum through Tiqets. Then, you can skip the ticket line and join the much shorter entrance queue – either at the eastern Puerta de Velazquez or the northern Puerta de Goya – instead.
Aside from the museum’s masterpieces, it’s worth wandering through the gardens. April and May are the best months to visit when the tulips, roses, and lilies are in bloom. Or, you can head to the tropical greenhouse to see exotic plants such as venus fly traps. The gardens are open year-round, and the onsite cafe is a good place to relax after your museum adventure.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Spain in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Alicante you can rent a car from 16 euros per day, in Barcelona - from 17 euros per day.
2. Museo del Reina Sofia
The Reina Sofia Museum, or the National Center of Art, is one of the most visited museums in Spain and has a very impressive collection of modern artwork. It houses masterpieces such as Picasso’s Guernica, which is a painting that depicts the brutal Luftwaffe bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.
It is also home to works by other famous artists such as Salvador Dali and Joan Miro. The museum is divided into three collections, the first of which covers paintings made from 1900 to 1945, the second covering works from 1945 to 1968, and the third showing work that was produced up until 1982.
In addition to the museum’s permanent collections, the Reina Sofia is also home to temporary exhibitions which change frequently. This means that there is always something new to see. For those who are particularly interested in modern art, it is well worth a visit.
There are so many pieces to see at the Museo del Reina Sofia that it is impossible to cover them all in a single day, but there are some key highlights that visitors should not miss. The most famous of these is undoubtedly the masterpiece Guernica, a painting by Pablo Picasso that represents the horrors of World War II. Other major highlights include works by Picasso, Salvador Dali, and Julio Gonzalez. The museum also features works by other prominent artists, such as Joan Miro and Juan Gris.
The Reina Sofia Museum is based in a large neo-classical building that was originally constructed as the General Hospital. It was turned into the museum by royal decree in 1988, and opened on 10 September 1992 by Their Majesties King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia. Its most recent expansion was completed in 2005, and is designed by architect Jean Nouvel. The expansion includes a huge space for the new permanent collections and several additional buildings.
3. Museo del Fine Arts
The grandeur of Spain’s most visited museum stems from the vast collection of paintings. The art gallery’s many masterpieces are a testament to the country’s artistic talent and include works by masters such as Goya and Velazquez. The Fine Arts Museum’s collections also encompass a wide variety of decorative objects, furniture and everyday items from Romantic-era Madrid. The galleries are housed in a beautiful historic convent, creating an alluring ambiance for visitors to admire the magnificent masterpieces. On the Fine Arts Museum’s galleries, you will find everything from grand religious paintings to canvases depicting typical Sevillian life. You will have the option to purchase a guided tour on the museum’s website, or you can explore the dazzling exhibits on your own.
As one of the most famous museums in Spain, the Museo del Prado is home to an unrivalled collection of masterpieces that span over a number of genres. The gallery’s highlight is the collection of Spanish painters, with works by the likes of Titian, Rubens and El Greco. It is possible to spend a whole day exploring the gallery, but it would be wise to book a skip-the-line ticket on the museum’s website.
If you’re interested in modern art, then the Reina Sofia is the place for you. Part of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art, the museum is mainly focused on 20th century Spanish artists with a special emphasis on Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The museum’s most famous work is probably Picasso’s 1937 painting “Guernica.” The piece has become an international symbol of the suffering caused by war. The museum is a must-visit on any art lover’s list when visiting Spain. The gallery is often included on the Paseo del Arte Pass, which allows visitors to enjoy Madrid’s most popular museums at a discounted rate.
4. Museo Miro
Located on Montjuic Hill, this museum showcases a rich collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings by the famous Spanish surrealist artist. Designed by the Catalan architect Josep Lluis Sert, the space is light and spacious, creating the perfect setting to highlight the artwork of this innovative painter. The collection at this museum mainly consists of works from Miro’s later years, but also includes other collections such as ceramics, textiles and graphic art.
The Valencian Institute of Modern Art (or IVAM) is one of the world’s first modern art museums and is Spain’s most visited museum. In addition to its vast collection, this museum also hosts discussions, courses and workshops on the subject of contemporary art. Moreover, the museum offers various guided tours of its facilities and also holds concerts and other events related to modern art.
During the tour of this museum, you can see a wide range of landscape paintings by the famous impressionist Joaquin Sorolla. The museum is housed in what was Sorolla’s studio and home, giving it a unique and intimate feel. The gallery also has small gardens that further enhance the experience.
Another one of the best places to visit in Madrid, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts is a beautiful building that houses an amazing collection of paintings and sculptures. The art on display here spans across the centuries and is a testament to the immense talent of the Spanish artists.
The best part is that this museum is free to all. However, if you want to avoid the huge queues, we recommend arriving before 10 am. This museum is a must-see when visiting Spain. This is the place to be for all those who are interested in seeing a great collection of modern art.
5. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
The Thyssen-Bornemisza is a part of Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art along with the Museo del Prado and the Reina Sofia. It was started by Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and expanded by his son Hans Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza. It is home to a spectacular collection of paintings from several of the world’s most celebrated artists including Dali, Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt, Picasso and many more. It shines particularly bright in areas that are underrepresented in other Spanish museums such as Trecento painting (fourteenth-century Italy) with pieces like Christ and the Samaritan Woman by Duccio di Buoninsegna and the Annunciation Diptych grisaille by Jan van Eyck. Also, it contains seminal works from movements that are not well represented in other Spanish museums such as Impressionism, Fauvism and German Expressionism.
This museum is one of the most popular in the world. In addition to the plethora of ancient artworks, it houses a number of important archaeological artifacts from Greek culture and civilization. A visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Spain will surely be a fascinating experience for those looking into the history of one of Europe’s most renowned cultures and civilizations.
The Picasso Museum in Malaga is one of two museums in the country dedicated to this legendary 20th century artist. The unique setting imitates the distinctive properties of the artist’s formative years and showcases his artistic evolution in a chronological timeline. It is an immersive experience that will surely captivate and inspire you.
Spain is a cultural treasure trove of all kinds and boasts a wide range of museums that will fascinate all types of visitors. From museums on archaeology, science, underwater archaeology, and Surrealism to the awe-inspiring City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, there is something for everyone to enjoy.