Museums are one of the best ways to dive into a city’s culture and history. They let you step inside the past, connect with stories you’ve only read about, and uncover surprising details you never knew existed. Madrid is home to some of the most renowned museums in Europe, alongside many hidden gems that even locals sometimes overlook. Whether you’re into art, history, science, or something a little more unusual, this guide will help you explore the top museums in Madrid beyond the obvious highlights.
Would you like to discover more exhibitions, galleries & museums in Madrid? Check out our incredible articles on the Paseo del Prado, Madrid’s Beautiful Palaces and especially our individual profiles on each of Madrid’s Famous Museums!
1. Paseo del Arte
No list of Madrid’s museums would be complete without mentioning the famous Paseo del Arte. This area of Madrid brings together the city’s three most iconic museums – the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofía, along with other celebrated institutions like CaixaForum and the Naval Museum. Since we’ve already covered these in detail in our dedicated guide, we’ll simply give them an honourable mention here.
1. Museo del Romanticismo
This museum is dedicated to displaying a large collection of artifacts and art pieces from the 19th century Romanticism period. The pieces depict the period’s dedication to emotions and love, as well as themes like liberty and imagination. The museum’s permanent collection is made up of paintings, furniture pieces, drawings, and art objects that show the daily life of Spaniards during the Romanticism period. In the museum’s multiple rooms, you can see paintings by Goya on the walls, as well as objects like a full billiards table and an ornately carved writing desk!
Where: Calle San Mateo, 13
2. Museo Cerralbo
Known as the best house museum in Madrid, the Cerralbo house has one of the most impressive personal art and literature collections in Europe. Visitors get an inside look at life in Spanish high society during the 19th century, as they tour the home of the famous Marquis of Cerralbo. The house is almost completely identical to its original interior set-up and most items inside the house are original pieces.
Where: Calle de Ventura Rodríguez, 17
3. Museum of Fashion (Museo del Traje)
This unknown museum started off as a special Historic Costume Exhibition in 1925. Eventually, the event became so popular that the city decided to make it permanent. Now, fashion lovers everywhere can enjoy over 160,000 pieces of history at the Museum of Fashion (also referred to as the Museum of Costumes). The museum also offers regular temporary exhibits for both historical and modern fashion and photography, as well as many courses and conferences.
Where: Avenida de Juan de Herrera, 2
4. Temple de Debod
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Temple of Debod is one of my favourite spots here in Madrid. A little piece of Egypt sits in the city centre and it’s a great location to sit back and relax. The structure was originally built in Egypt along the Nile as a temple to the gods Amun and Isis. The temple was rebuilt in Madrid as a symbol of unity between Spain and Egypt. The museum inside the building is not very big, but it is very authentic. The exhibition features the story of the temple’s reconstruction as well as many ancient relics and original wall art.
Where: Calle Ferraz, 1
5. Museo Lazaro Galdiano
Another hidden treasure is this unconventional museum that houses over 12,000 pieces of art ranging from prehistoric coins and jewelry to some of Goya’s most famous drawings and prints. Museo Lazaro Galdiano‘s vast collection was once owned by Spanish socialite José Lazaro Galdiano. The collection was converted into a public museum after his death. During his life, Lazaro Galdiano was also the editor of a literary magazine named La España Moderna and today the museum also holds over 20,000 books from his personal library and archives!
Where: Calle Serrano, 122
6. Estación de Chamberí
This historic metro station was transformed into a historical museum experience in 2008 and aims to display the reality of the Madrid metro in the early 1920s. The station is a perfect example of the changing metropolitan landscape of Madrid at that time. It was designed by famous architect Antonio Palacios in 1919, and was actually closed for public use in 1962, but today it offers a glimpse into the past. The engine shed has been restored to look almost exactly like it did in the 1920s.
Where: Metro line 1, in between the stations Iglesia and Bilbao
7. Casa Árabe
The Arab House in Madrid is less of a museum and more of an experience. The facility focuses on Arab art, culture and history and has much to offer it’s visitors. The exhibits change regularly and vary between gastronomy, art shows, historic displays and cinematic viewings. Visitors can also attend many educational lectures, conferences and even language classes. Casa Árabe also has a beautiful terrace restaurant/bar where you can enjoy the sun while listening to
