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Specialty Museums in Madrid

THE 10 BEST Madrid Specialty Museums

Specialty Museums in Madrid

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What travelers are saying

  • Robyn D
    Memphis, TN6 contributions
    Don’t Miss This!
    I love impressionist paintings, so with limited time in Madrid I decided on this museum rather than the Prado. I do not regret it. I had never heard of the Thyssen-Bornemiszma before planning this trip. It has a phenomenal Women Masters exhibit right now (think Cassatt, Kahlo) and a Picasso exhibit (I historically have had trouble understanding Picasso’s work, but this exhibit did the best job I have seen of explaining his pieces). And the regular collection is unreal! If you enjoy any of Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Pissarro, Sisley, Gaugin, Rodin, O’Keefe…there’s something here for you. And it was not overly crowded; you can actually enjoy the experience and see the art up close. Highly recommended.
    Review of: Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
    Written December 1, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Nurikabe_12
    New York City, NY754 contributions
    Museum of Spain's Navy
    Entrance is free, and showcases the history of Spain's seafarers and ships from early times to when it was a great naval power, and the modern period.
    Review of: Naval Museum
    Written November 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Vinod K
    1 contribution
    Great sweet experience
    There are sweets in every room and a slide, fun experience for the kids. Multiple colorful rooms and friendly people.
    Review of: Sweet Space Museum
    Written September 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Margie D
    York, PA678 contributions
    Well preserved house and garden - recommend!
    Lovely museum in the house of Lope de Vega, famous Spanish playwright in the 1600's. Well taken care of with a beautiful garden that is open to visitors. If you wish to tour the house, reservations must be made in advance, either with email or phone call. Tours are no charge. Our guide was so knowledgeable - a delightful tour!
    Review of: Casa Museo Lope de Vega
    Written October 30, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Donald S
    Pittsburgh, PA4 contributions
    lunch place near the museums
    The restaurant offers affordable but delicious meals (soup, curried chicken and rice whe we went). A great place for a relaxing lunch, The building's architecture is surprisingly attractive for a remodelled space, and the huge living wall of plants is a sensation.
    Review of: Caixa Forum
    Written April 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Anthony H
    Dublin, Ireland240 contributions
    Well worth a visit
    Well worth a visit. Bring your headphones, they provide an audio guide you can download to your phone.
    Review of: Museo Del Romanticismo
    Written July 19, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • travelinspiration
    Dallas, TX340 contributions
    Go with a qualified private guide or get English tour!
    This monastery didn't wow us as much as expected, but we love visiting monasteries with great history on vacation and we had the extra time. If limited on time, could give it a miss. It's also not easy to see. Not many private guides are equipped with it's history, fortunately we found one that was and went at reserved 10:45am time slot on a weekday recently. Only allowed to stay 45 minutes but that's plenty since it's small/only can see limited areas. Nothing too outstanding to see but nice, and we love in-depth historical places of cities, so it intrigued us. They have very limited tours done by facility in English so see if can find if not with guide.
    Review of: Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
    Written October 28, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Travel_with_Panaes
    Limassol City, Cyprus588 contributions
    Temporary Exhibitions November 2022
    I visited this exhibition space and I saw two temporary exhibitions. One for the artistic relationship between Gonzalez /Picasso and one for the work of photographer Bing. both of them were well curated and informative particularly the exhibition of Picasso/Gonzalez where you get to know the similarities and influences between the two friends. The entrance was free. I haven't visited any permanent exhibition in this place
    Review of: Fundacion Mapfre - Sala Recoletos
    Written November 20, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TheAviator0765
    Ripon, UK569 contributions
    An Excellent Museum of the Spanish Air Force, and More!
    If you have more than a passing interest in aviation history, and are in the Madrid area, this is an essential visit.

    I drove there; although GPS will happily direct you, it's a bit of a late -notice exit off the E-90; a short slip lane and then a hard 90 right to a narrow humped-back bridge over the railway line. At first, you may be a bit confused as it seems you are driving into a military base (indeed you are) but follow the signs to the car park and you'll be just fine.

    Access is through a small visitors' entry cabin. Make sure you have photo ID, and I paid just 3 euros entry fee.

    Immediately you'll be faced with the outside aircraft park. Here you will find generally the larger types of aircraft that served with the Spanish Air Force, along with a fine collection of jet fighters (including some donated examples from Sweden, France and the former East Germany). Some of the larger types took a little tired, a common trait of aircraft parked out under a blazing sun; indeed the P-3A Orion looks half-derelict. But take your time walking around, there is also s small helicopter park and a memorial garden, including the tail section of a Afghan MiG-15, brought back from Herat when the Spanish forces left the country. Don't be tempted to step on the grass at any time for a closer look, the security guards will quickly witness your 'crime' and loudly blow a warning whistle.

    There are seven hangars to wander around, and these contained some real gems. On my visit, all were open apart from Number 6. You will find aircraft from the earliest days; some genuine, some replicas, but many set in excellent dioramas. These were fascinating, types rarely seen in the UK. Other stand-out items including aircraft that trail-blazed the routes over the Atlantic Ocean; aircraft from the civil war and a pretty extensive collection of helicopters. There are also comprehensive collections of aero-engines, uniforms, medals, paintings and artifacts of every description. It's quite easy to be overwhelmed by the amount to see in one visit, so be selective. Hangar 7 is exclusively a collection of scale models. Throughout there are interpretation boards in Spanish with a briefer English translation.

    There is a small cafeteria that sells hot and cold drinks and the smallest ever variety of snacks, and a small gift shop (which I was unable to get into as it was always occupied by visiting school parties and COVID regulations limited numbers inside the small hut).

    But for just 3 euros, this was an outstanding opportunity. I happily spent three hours on the site. The weather was perfect, and there seemed to be more staff than visitors which allowed me to wander around in a relaxed manner and take in the history of the Spanish Air Force.
    Review of: Museo del Aire
    Written October 10, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Aronielle
    1 contribution
    A rather small collection and not of the highest quality
    I am a huge fan of Madame Tussauds museums and have visited most of them in the U.S. as well as the original museum in London. I realized that this museum was not part of the Mme Tussauds brand but was hoping for a similar experience. Unfortunately, it was largely disappointing.

    The focus of the Madame Tussauds collections, in my view, is an incredibly life-like representation of the protagonists, while Museo de Cera seems to be focused on telling a story and less concerned with the quality of the figures. With the exception of 2-3 figures that were truly life-like, the rest were very clearly, well... wax figures. So the magic wasn't there.
    Review of: Museo de Cera de Madrid
    Written March 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Blanka H
    49 contributions
    Okay place for ones in love with geology
    For me this wasn't the best touristic option to try in Madrid, but it could be an amazing spot for the ones who like crystals, fossils and different stones. I was a little bit disappointed in the end because I was expecting interesting animal fossils and bones, but there were too little.
    Have in mind that it is not a typical museum, there are many students talking and reading around the tables upstairs. Also, feel free to walk on your own and discover rooms on the first floor. Everything is free!
    Review of: Museo Geominero
    Written March 14, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SFTRVLR
    San Francisco, CA2,065 contributions
    Very unique
    Highly recommend. Super unique. Plan ahead and reserve. We found it on a website just the morning of and had no idea that we should reserve ahead. We were able to get in after a bit of a wait. A very unique experience.
    Review of: Anden 0
    Written September 3, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • SG123
    Spain130 contributions
    Remember to reserve this little gem!
    Visited as a group of friends in our late teens. Be aware that reservation is now necessary but it is completely free.

    Very easy access from Sol Metro station and easy to locate. Inside the building is modern with funky architecture.

    The exhibitions area amazing (the telecommunications one is a little dull in comparison) but the colours and paisajes del luz ones were great.

    I’d definitely recommend if you have a free hour in Madrid.
    Review of: Espacio Fundacion Telefonica
    Written September 5, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • evan
    Derby, UK14 contributions
    Interesting museum
    Went there on December 30th 2022, It had a very good selection of trains and some Spanish history in it. It also had 2 rooms with impressive model railways in it, although there are some bad reviews me and my family really enjoyed it and spent about 2 hours there, If your wondering there is a small shop with some expensive hats and cheap kids train sets. The Location is alright, not to far from the art museum or Atocha train station.
    Review of: Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid
    Written January 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Elena
    Gijon, Spain22 contributions
    Spanish costume review
    Well chosen examples of clothing from the times Spain was an Empire until today. A five-minute walk from Ciudad Universitaria underground station.
    Review of: Museo del Traje
    Written April 16, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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