Other Museums in Madrid

Museo Arqueológico - Archaeological Museum

This marvelous collection traces the progression of civilizations that have inhabited Iberia from prehistoric times to the 19th century. Highlights include the "Dama de Elche," a beautiful bust of a woman dating to the 4th century BC, the only such peninsular artifact of its kind. You can also enter a partial reproduction of the fascinating Altamira Caves.

Address: Calle Serrano 13
Tel: (+34) 91 577 79 12
Metro stops: Colón (line 4), Serrano (line 4), Banco de España (line 2)
Bus lines: 1, 9, 19, 51, 74, 5, 14, 27, 45, 150, 21, 53
Neighborhood: Salamanca
Open: Tues.-Sat. from 9:30am-8pm
Sunday & holiday hours: 9:30am-3pm (Dec 24 & 31)
Closed: Mondays, Jan. 1 & 6, Nov. 9, Dec. 24, 25 & 31.
Free admission: Sat 2:30pm-closing; Sun 9:30am-2:30pm; Oct. 12, Dec. 6, May 18.

Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando

The Royal Academy of Fine Arts remains a largely undiscovered gem despite its centric location just meters from Puerta del Sol. The academy's collection consists of thousands of paintings, drawings and sculptures, largely by former students and members like Goya, Ribera, Zurbarán, Rubens, Van Loo and Picasso.

Address: Calle de Alcalá, 13
Tel: (+34) 91 524 08 64
Metro stops: Sol (line 1, 2 or 3)
Neighborhood: Puerta del Sol
Bus lines: 3, 5, 15, 20, 51, 52, 53, 150
Open: Tues-Fri from 9am-7pm; Sat. from 9am-2pm & 5pm-9pm
Sunday & holiday hours: 9am-2:30pm.
Closed: Mondays, Jan. 1 & 6, May 1 & 30, Dec. 24, 25 & 31.

Biblioteca Nacional/ Museo del Libro

Spain's grandiose National Library catalogues every book that has passed and will pass through the country. The building holds volumes upon volumes of stacks, reading rooms, historic manuscripts, maps and drawings and hosts temporary exhibits. Best of all, you can explore for free!

Address: Paseo de Recoletos, 20
Tel: (00 34) 91 580 78 23
Metro: Colón (line 4), Serrano (line 4), Banco de España (line 2)
Bus lines: 5, 14, 27, 45, 150, 21, 53
Neighborhood: Salamanca
Open: Monday-Friday from 9am-9pm; Saturdays from 9am-2pm
Closed: Sundays; January 5 & 6; Holy Thursday - Easter; May 1, 2 & 15; October 12; November 1 & 9; December 6, 8 & 25; other dates to be confirmed.

Palacio Real

Madrid's Royal Palace is not just for gawking from the outside. Enter the building and you'll find the royal armory, historic apothecary, painting galleries, throne room and more. On a nice day, descend behind the hilltop palace and breathe the fresh air of the Campo del Moro, the monarchs' extensive gardens.

Address: Calle Bailen s/n
Tel: (00 34) 91 547 53 50
Metro stops: Ópera (line 5 or 2)
Bus lines: 1, 2, 3, 6, 17, 202, 17, 18, 23, 25, 26, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 39, 41, 44, 46, 50, C1, C2, 74, 75, 133, 138, 146, 147, 148
Neighborhood: Plaza Mayor (Los Austrias)
Open: October-March: Mon-Sat, 9:30am-5pm; Sun & holidays 9-2pm. April-Sept: Mon-Sat, 9:30am-6pm
Sunday & holiday hours: 9-3pm.
Closed: January 6, May 1 & 15, Oct 12, Nov 9, Dec 24, 25 & 31

Sorolla Museum

Vanguard Spanish artists like Dalí, Picasso and Miró may have dwarfed their stellar predecessor, Joaquín Sorolla Bastida, in fame. Nevertheless, this largely overlooked impressionist is well worth our consideration. Dozens of Sorolla's paintings and sculptured are on display in his old house in the bourgeois district of Chamberí. You're sure to be pleasantly surprised.

Address: General Martínez Campos, 37
Tel: (00 34) 91 3101584
Metro: Iglesia (line 1), Rubén Darío (line 4), Gregorio Marañón (line 10 or 7)
Bus lines: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 27, 37, 40, 45, 51, 61, 74, 147, 149, 150
Neighborhood: Chamberí (near Salamanca)
Open: Tues-Sat, 9:30am-3pm
Sunday & holiday hours: 10am-3pm
Closed: Mondays, Jan. 1 & 6, May 1, Dec. 24, 25 & 31 and two local holidays.
Free admission: under 18 & over 65. Sundays, May 18, Oct 12, Dec 6.