The prices to access the “temples of art” are not very high, but sometimes it is lazy to pay them or we prefer to invest our money in other things; especially when the last time you stepped on one of these you were going to primary school. So that you can save without giving up anything, we are going to give you all the details for to visit the best museums free of charge in Madrid.
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is open for savers from Monday to Saturday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, which doesn’t look bad as an afterwork plan. On Sundays and holidays from 15:00 to 17:00h you don’t have to pay either, but beware, the queues of happy families passionate about art are eternal, so you may spend more time waiting outside than looking at paintings.
The Prado museum is usually free all day on November 19, for its anniversary, and on May 18, for International Museum Day.
📍 Paseo del Prado, s/n (Las Letras)
Reina Sofia Museum
The tickets are free from Monday to Saturday (except Tuesday, which is closed) from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Sundays from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. If you have devoured all the episodes of El Ministerio del Tiempo and you haven’t seen Guernica, it’s a crime, so what are you waiting for?
There are also a number of free days: April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
📍 Calle de Santa Isabel, 52 (Las Letras)
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
On Mondays throughout the day and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. you have free access to its permanent collection: more than two hundred works covering all art from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century; from Rococo to Pop art. One of the most prestigious collections in the world.
📍 Paseo del Prado, 8 (Las Letras)
Sorolla Museum
The house-museum of Joaquín Sorolla is one of the most popular attractions in recent years. To see where the painter spent his last years, living and creating his impressionist works, is a real luxury. That is why his family demands a subway stop of their own.
The good thing is that there are free tours on Saturdays from 2pm to 8pm and on Sundays.
📍 Calle del General Martínez Campos, 37
Royal Palace
We know the sunset from here is worth it, but have you seen it from the inside? The Royal Palace informs that: “the free opening hours for citizens of the European Union residents and holders of work permits in this area; and Latin American citizens, with proof of nationality or residence or work permit, will be as follows: Monday to Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00 h“.
May 18 and October 12 can also be passed without payment.
📍 Calle de Bailén, s/n (Sol)
Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid
There is nothing like entering the “mini forest” of the capital to escape from the pollution and the stuffy environment. Every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. you can enjoy a wide variety of tropical plants for free and feel like you’re about to meet Tarzan.
📍 Plaza de Murillo, 2 (Las Letras)
The ABC Museum
The ABC Museum of Drawing and Illustration opened its doors for the first time in 2010, although it began to take shape in 1891 at the initiative of Torcuato Luca de Tena. In its reopening (it has been closed from 2020 to 2024) it shares space with the Clara del Rey Cultural Center. The ABC Collection, which is considered an Asset of Cultural Interest, has free tickets and its hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 🕒 Time:.
📍 Calle Amaniel 29-31 (Conde Duque)
Visit other free museums in Madrid on specific days
- Museum of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando (Calle de Alcalá, 13, Sol). Wednesdays, not holidays. May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- Museo del Romanticismo (Calle de San Mateo, 13, Malasaña). Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. and Sundays. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Calle Serrano, 122, Barrio de Salamanca). From 15:30 to 16:30 h and Sundays from 14:00 to 15:00 h
- Museo Cerralbo (Calle Ventura Rodríguez, 17, Conde Duque). Saturdays from 2:00 pm, Thursdays from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm (not holidays) and Sundays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- National Archaeological Museum (Calle de Serrano, 13, Barrio de Salamanca). Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. and Sunday mornings. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- Museo del Traje (Avenida Juan de Herrera, 2, Moncloa). Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. and Sundays. Temporary exhibitions are also free of charge. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- National Museum of Decorative Arts (Calle de Montalbán, 12, Chueca). Thursday afternoons, Saturdays from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Sundays and temporary exhibitions. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- Museum of America. Avenida de los Reyes Católicos, 6 (Moncloa). Sundays all day and Thursdays from 2:00 p.m. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
- National Museum of Anthropology. Calle Alfonso XII, 68 (Las Letras). Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. and Sundays. April 18, May 18, October 12 and December 6.
Free museums in Madrid throughout the year
- Telefónica Foundation Space (Calle de Fuencarral, 3, Sol).
- National Library Museum (Paseo Recoletos, 20-22, Chueca).
- Lope de Vega House Museum (Calle de Cervantes, 11, Las Letras).
- Museum of Contemporary Art (Conde Duque Street, 9 and 11, Conde Duque).
- Temple of Debod (Calle Ferraz, 1, Sol).
- Andén Cero (Plaza de Chamberí, s/n).
- Matadero Madrid (Paseo de la Chopera, 10, Legazpi).
- La Casa Encendida (Ronda de Valencia, 2).
As a reward for having read this article in its entirety, here is some good news: with the Youth Pass you get free admission to the Triángulo del Arte whenever you want. Let’s get cultured!