A Collection of Free Museums and Galleries in Madrid

Madrid is known as one of Spain’s biggest art hubs and it is home to some incredibly famous pieces of art from all over the world.

Cultural travellers flock to the city to explore the fondly-dubbed Golden Triangle of museums, made up of the Museo del Prado, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, and the more modern institution, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza.

These three museums alone harbour some of the world’s biggest names, from Goya and Picasso to Velazquez and Kandinsky. But, as you can image, they aren’t free to visit – most of the time, that is. There are certain hours where you can wander amongst the works for free, though, and I’d advise you to take full advantage of these times!

• Museo del Prado
  Visit for free – Mon-Sat from 6pm to 8pm and Sun from 5pm to 7pm.
• Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia
  Visit for free – Mon-Sat from 7pm to 9pm and Sun from 3pm to 7pm.
• Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
  Visit for free – Mon from 12pm to 4pm you can see the permanent collection for free (not the temporary exhibits).

But these aren’t the only arty hotspots in the city. In fact, Madrid is home to a number of free museums and galleries, which means you can go easy on your wallet whilst delving into the cultural and aesthetic backstory of Spain and further afield.

Here are some of the free museums and galleries in Madrid:

La Casa Encendida

This is a relatively new institution which is dedicated to providing an interactive and multidisciplinary experience for visitors. It showcases pieces by up-and-coming local artists in a variety of genres and mediums, and there’s usually a schedule of art performances and music concerts than run alongside each exhibition.

Moriarty

This hotspot for Spanish avant-garde and modern art was founded back in 1981 and today displays a selection of works by photographers and contemporary artists including surrealist Chema Madoz.

Centro Cultural Conde Duque

Situated inside what was once the headquarters of the Royal Guard, the Centro Cultural Conde Duque is a top-notch cultural centre that plays host to numerous art performances, exhibitions, concerts, and programmes throughout the year. In summer, there are a range of outdoor shows, as well as workshops and book days.

Fernan Gomez Centro Cultural de la Villa

Tucked away in Plaza Colon, surrounding by impressive monuments and cascading fountains, the Fernan Gomez cultural centre provides an eclectic creative experience for visitors with a diverse array of shows, including puppet performances, opera shows, and art exhibitions by famous Spanish artists.

Centro de Arte Moderno

You can probably tell by its name that this cultural institution is dedicated to showcasing contemporary artwork in Madrid. It’s situated in a bookshop that promotes the literature and creative pieces of Hispanic artists from all over Spain and Latin America, with a particular emphasis on photography.

Fundacion Juan March

Founded in 1955 by Juan March, this is considered to be one of the most important cultural centres in Europe and hosts a number of major programmes throughout the year. In addition to the temporary themed exhibitions, there is also a collection of Spanish work that is permanently on display, plus there is always something going on – from concerts and conferences, to readings and jazz shows.

Arnes y Ropke

Owned by a Spanish and German duo, this typical white-cube gallery showcases abstract and figurative art, again with a heavy emphasis on experimental photography. As well as exhibiting work from local artists, the gallery promotes the work of European art to the rest of the world.

Marlborough

Opened back in 1992, the Marlborough is a hotpot of works from top Spanish artists, with branches in other major cities like New York, London, and Barcelona. The space itself is also considered to be a work of art, designed by famous architect Richard Gluckman.

Palacio de Velazquez

A part of the Reina Sofia, this independent gallery is situated inside a picturesque brick building surrounding by lush greenery. It focuses on contemporary exhibitions, and has showcased works by the likes of Cindy Sherman and Nan Goldin over the years.

So there you have it – a collection of free museums and galleries in Madrid to tickle your creative tastebuds. These are just a sneak peek into the arty atmosphere that swathes the city and there are plenty of other options, too – from the heavy-hitting museums in the Golden Triangle, to an array of outdoor exhibitions dotted around, to streets lined with colourful art and more.
Madrid is definitely a city for art lovers, so get stuck in!

Have you been to Madrid? What was your favourite museum or gallery?