Madrid has one of the most remarkable museums and gallery spaces in the world. I have links to a selection of my favorites, and below you will find posts as I visit them.
Here are some galleries I love.
These are the best museums in Madrid:
Permanent collection free Monday-Saturday 6-8pm, Sun 5-7pm.
Free on Monday,Wednesday-Saturday from 7-9pm, and Sun day from 1:30-7:00. Closed Tuesdays.
Permanent Collection free on Mondays 12-4pm.
Free on Mondays from 2-8pm. Often overshadowed by the neighboring great museums: The Prado, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofia, the exhibition space by the Fundación Mapfre at Paseo Recoletos never disappoints. This space is the perfect size for enjoying the well curated exhibits it presents. I have seen wonderful retrospectives in the past years: Giacometti, Kirchner, Henri Cartier-Bresson amongst many others. I strongly encourage you to visit, it is a very quick, but worthwhile. For hours, location and more info on the Fundación Mapfre press here.
Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales
This active monastery of the Franciscan order is occupied today by 19 cloistered nuns. Founded by Juana de Austria (1535-1573), sister of King Phillip II (El Escorial), this palace is a must see not only for its architecture but also for its remarkable collection of Art, tapestries, paintings and wood sculptures. There are few daily slots available for this guided-tour only, so you must purchase your ticket as soon as it opens. For EU and Latin American citizens, it is free on Wednesday and Thursday after 4pm.
This former military barracks of 1717, has now been converted into a cultural center housing the City Archives, Music and Film libraries, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
It is also one of the venues for the summer concert series of Veranos de la Villa
Here is a post I wrote about this place and its surrounding neighborhood.
life via rosa 