Attraction
Museo Nacional del Prado
Spain's national art museum, opened in 1819 on the Paseo del Prado, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Bosch, Titian and Rubens.
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
A former private collection in the Palacio de Villahermosa that traces European painting from the Gothic period to Pop Art, from Duccio and Van Eyck to Picasso.
At a glance
- Type
- Art museum
- Area
- Paseo del Prado (Centro), Madrid, Spain
- Official site
- museothyssen.org
Good to know
- Free Monday entry to the permanent collection
- Café
- Shop
- Garden terrace
Why we recommend it
The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza completes Madrid's Golden Triangle of Art alongside the Prado and the Reina Sofía, and it fills the gaps the other two leave. It began as the private collection of Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza in the 1920s and was greatly expanded by his son, Hans Heinrich, who brought it to Spain. The museum opened in 1992 in the Palacio de Villahermosa, an early 19th-century palace facing the Paseo del Prado, and the Spanish state acquired the core collection the following year.
What makes the Thyssen special is its range. The route starts on the top floor with early Italian and Flemish painting, including Duccio and Jan van Eyck, and moves down through Titian, Caravaggio and Rembrandt to the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, then on to German Expressionism, Cubism and American art. Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso and Kandinsky are all represented, and the American painting rooms, with Edward Hopper among others, are a highlight that few European museums can match. The adjoining Carmen Thyssen collection, lent by the Baron's widow, adds landscapes and Impressionist works.
The chronological layout makes it the easiest of the big three to navigate, and it is a good choice if you only have time for one museum and want a broad sweep of Western art. Allow two to three hours, and more if a temporary exhibition catches your eye. The building is calm and well lit, which suits older visitors and anyone who finds the Prado overwhelming.
Admission to the permanent collection is free on Monday afternoons, and Monday is the only day it opens late morning rather than at 10:00. Other days it opens from morning to early evening, with longer hours on Saturdays for some exhibitions. Check the official website for the latest times and buy tickets online to skip the queue at busy periods. The museum has a café and a large shop, and in summer the garden terrace is a pleasant place to sit.
The entrance faces the Neptune fountain at the junction of the Paseo del Prado and Carrera de San Jerónimo. Banco de España metro is about five minutes away, and the Prado is just across the road, so combining them on the same day is easy if you pace yourself.
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza FAQs
Where did the Thyssen collection come from?
It was built by Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza and his son Hans Heinrich, and came to Madrid in 1992.
What periods does it cover?
European painting from the late Middle Ages to the late 20th century, plus a strong American section.
Is there a free day?
Yes, the permanent collection is free on Monday afternoons.
Which famous artists can I see?
Duccio, Van Eyck, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Kandinsky and Hopper, among many others.
How long should I allow?
Two to three hours for the permanent collection.
Is it near the Prado?
Yes, it is directly across the Paseo del Prado from the Prado, a short walk away.
What is the nearest metro?
Banco de España, about five minutes on foot.
Is there a café?
Yes, there is a café and a shop inside the museum.