Navigating Madrid's museums like a pro

As a self-proclaimed culture vulture, even I have met my match with Madrid. Spain’s capital has a vast amount of world-class museums and avant-garde art galleries. But that's not all. There’s a dedicated walkway, called the Paseo del Arte, that connects a dozen popular institutions and landmarks in less than a one-mile radius. It’s a dizzying amount of displays, so to help you parse through the top paintings and can’t-miss exhibits, I’ve created the ultimate guide to Madrid’s museums.

The Prado is to Madrid what the Met is to New York. It’s an institution synonymous with the city itself. Housed within Felipe IV’s palace (the property is 300 acres!), this famous museum features European masterpieces, some of which date back to the 12th century. Of course, there’s works by star-studded Spanish artists such as Goya and Velázquez (don’t miss “Las Meninas” and the sprawling “Third of May 1808” painting), but there are also plenty of impressive pieces by big-hitters like Bosch, Titian, El Greco, and Rubens. Make sure to admire the architecture as well; the neoclassical building was designed by Juan de Villanueva.

Tip: Save the best for last. The Prado has free admission in the evenings, from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 5 to 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. I love exploring the galleries after work when it’s less crowded.

Exhaustion level: 8/10

Modernism is the name of the game at Reina Sofía. In fact, it is one of the world’s largest modern art museums, with a whopping 18,000 pieces. Its main focus is on 20th-century Spanish art, so you can expect to see paintings from Pablo Picasso (ahem, like “Guernica”), Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miró. Beyond the cubist and surrealist art, you’ll also find works that call back to the Spanish civil war as well as rotating exhibits that address current issues.

Tip: If you’re traveling solo, you can get free admission from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday through Saturday. Otherwise, couples, groups, and families should come on Sunday between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Exhaustion level: 7/10

Rounding out the trifecta is Thyssen-Bornemisza, which arguably has the most extensive collection, spanning 700 years of Western art. The former aristocratic estate is filled with 1,000 works of art from Renaissance and Rococo to Romanticism and Baroque styles. For those that need to brush up on their art history, I’m talking: Rembrandts, Caravaggios, Van Goghs, Monets, and more. Any school or century—this museum has it. It even has 1800s American paintings, which can’t be found anywhere else on the continent.

Tip: Tickets to this museum are surprisingly pricey. To save some cash without missing any art, buy the Art Walk Pass, which includes admission to the Museo del Prado, the Museo Reina Sofía, and the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Exhaustion level: 6/10

I live in Valencia, so I was immediately drawn to native artist Joaquin Sorolla, who brilliantly captures Spain’s coastline in his light landscape paintings. So, whenever I’m in Madrid, I always make a beeline to Museo Sorolla. The galleries are set up within his home—a gorgeous mansion in Madrid’s Chamberi neighborhood—that’s a work of art in itself. Peep the colorful ceramic tiles and tranquil fountains in the Andalusian-inspired courtyard as well as the sculptures, paintbrushes, and easel in his studio.

Tip: As this museum is rather small, you can go slow and still see it all in about an hour. I recommend picking up a print at the gift shop before browsing the stores along Grand Via or checking out the chic boutiques in Salamanca, both just steps away.

Exhaustion level: 3/10

This mixed-use space, across from the Prado, is difficult to define. Previously an electric power station, architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron transformed the building into a cutting-edge cultural center, with a four-storey vertical garden, a striking steel stairway, and a spacious auditorium, among other multipurpose communal areas. CaixaForum hosts rotating exhibitions, poetry slams, classical concerts, creative workshops, kid-friendly activities, and even political debates. Some popular past events include an exposé on feminine spirituality and a multimedia installation about spy cinema, while on now is a paleontology tour of Patagonia’s dinosaurs.

Tip: I am a sucker for a good museum restaurant, and the one on the top floor of CaixaForum is my favorite. Head here at lunchtime for the excellent three-course menu del día (don’t worry, it won’t break the bank).

Exhaustion level: 2/10

Spain has had some legendary explorers sail under its flag (looking at you, Christopher Columbus). Though the fleet today isn’t as famous as the armada of yore, Spain still maintains a strong seafaring culture. See it for yourself at the Museo Naval inside the Spanish Army Headquarters. Coins, jewels, and other treasures are showcased as well as gorgeous original maps of the Americas and detailed ship models.

Tip: Coming with kids? Don't worry. There are plenty of family-friendly features. Little ones can explore rebuilt boats and marvel at the weapons selection (behind glass windows, of course).

Exhaustion level: 4/10

Peek into the royal family’s private collection of antiquities, curated by none other than Queen Isabella II. This neoclassical museum walks you through the history of humanity in Spain, starting with educational videos and continuing chronologically with each display. You’ll discover ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts, though I especially love the mosaic room and the pre-historic rarities from the Iberian peninsula. Just don’t forget to look up! The Mudejar ceilings in the Andalusian collection (on the first floor) have been meticulously restored to their former glory.

Tip: Bring headphones and download the audio guide app on your phone to hear more information as you walk through the museum.

Exhaustion level: 5/10