Looking for free museums in Madrid today, this Saturday or Sunday? Here’s the most complete and up-to-date guide to free time slots, always-free museums, maps, and tips to make every minute count. And if you want to expand your plan around the city, take a look at this selection of Things to do in Madrid.
Which Madrid museums can be visited for free?
How to use this guide quickly
- Check the “What’s free by day” table (below) to see at a glance free museums in Madrid today.
- In each museum you’ll find “When it’s free” + “How to get there” with View Map.
- Hours and prices carry an asterisk (e.g.: 10:00–20:00*, €3*).
What’s free by day (quick summary)
| Day | Free museums & time window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Reina Sofía 19:00–21:00*; Thyssen (permanent collection) 12:00–16:00*. | The Prado is also free 18:00–20:00* (if open on a Monday public holiday with regular hours). |
| Tuesday–Friday | Prado 18:00–20:00*; Reina Sofía 19:00–21:00* (Wed–Fri); Lázaro Galdiano 14:00–15:00* (Tue–Fri). | Most state museums charge in the morning. |
| Saturday | State Museums (Sorolla, Cerralbo, Romanticismo, Artes Decorativas, MAN, Antropología, América…): from 14:00*; Prado 18:00–20:00*; Reina Sofía 19:00–21:00*. | First Saturday of the month: El Prado de noche 20:30–23:30*, free. |
| Sunday | Prado 17:00–19:00*; Reina Sofía 12:30–14:30*; State Museums all morning*; MNCN 17:00–20:00*. | Ideal if you’re searching “free museums Sunday Madrid”. |
| Always free | Museo Naval (donation recommended); Museo de Historia de Madrid; Museo de San Isidro; Casa de la Moneda; Museo Geominero. | Check opening hours*; some close on Mondays. |
Museo Nacional del Prado
The icon of Spanish painting. You can see masterpieces (Velázquez, Goya, Bosch) for free if you enter in the last two hours of the day.
When it’s free: Mon–Sat 18:00–20:00*; Sundays & public holidays 17:00–19:00*. Plus, first Saturday of the month: “El Prado de Noche” 20:30–23:30* free.
Usual hours: Mon–Sat 10:00–20:00*; Sun/Hol 10:00–19:00*.
Tip: faster entry if you arrive 30–40 min before the free slot.
Suggestion: prioritize Las Meninas, Las Majas, The Garden of Earthly Delights.
How to get there
- Metro: Banco de España (L2), Estación del Arte (L1)
- View Map
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Home to Guernica. Generous free windows to save.
When it’s free: Mondays and Wed–Sat 19:00–21:00*; Sunday 12:30–14:30*; specific holidays.
Usual hours: Mon 10:00–21:00*; Wed–Sat 10:00–21:00*; Sun 10:00–14:30*; Tuesdays closed.
Advice: enter via the Nouvel Building if there’s a long line at Sabatini.
How to get there
- Metro: Estación del Arte (L1)
- View Map
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Benchmark private collection, free on Mondays for the permanent collection.
When it’s free: Mondays 12:00–16:00* (permanent collection).
Usual hours: variable by season; check when booking.
Tip: if time is short, focus on Impressionism and the avant-gardes.
How to get there
- Metro: Banco de España (L2)
- View Map
Museo Arqueológico Nacional (MAN)
From Atapuerca to Rome in two well-planned hours.
When it’s free: Saturdays from 14:00* and Sundays (morning).
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–20:00*; Sun/Hol 9:30–15:00*; Mon closed.
Suggestion: stop by the Lady of Elche first to avoid crowds.
How to get there
- Metro: Serrano (L4)
- View Map
Museo Sorolla
The painter’s house-studio, a must at dusk.
When it’s free: as a State Museum, Saturdays from 14:00* and Sundays (morning).
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–20:00*; Sun/Hol 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed.
Advice: the garden is perfect for a 10-minute pause between rooms.
How to get there
- Metro: Gregorio Marañón (L7, L10)
- View Map
Museo del Romanticismo
Small palace with 19th-century interiors that enchant.
When it’s free: Saturdays from 14:00* and Sundays (morning), under the State Museums rule.
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–20:00*; Sun/Hol 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed. Cultura
Tip: the little Garden Café is a calm hideaway off the main circuit.
How to get there
- Metro: Tribunal (L1, L10)
- View Map
Museo Cerralbo
An aristocratic time capsule.
When it’s free: Thursdays 17:00–20:00* (extra opening), Sundays; additionally, by state rule Saturdays 14:00–15:00*.
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–15:00*; Thu 17:00–20:00*; Sun/Hol 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed.
Advice: arrive 15 min before the Thursday afternoon window; capacity is limited.
How to get there
- Metro: Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10)
- View Map
Museo Nacional de Artes Decorativas
Design, objects, and everyday life.
When it’s free: Saturdays from 14:00* and Sundays (morning).
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–15:00*; Thu 17:00–20:00* (late opening); Sun/Hol 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed.
Suggestion: don’t miss the fan room.
How to get there
- Metro: Banco de España (L2)
- View Map
Museo Nacional de Antropología
A journey through world cultures, perfect with curious kids.
When it’s free: Saturdays from 14:00* and Sundays.
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–20:00*; Sun 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed.
How to get there
- Metro: Estación del Arte (L1)
- View Map
Museo de América
Unique pieces from across the continent.
When it’s free: Thursdays from 14:00* and Sundays (morning).
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 9:30–15:00*; Thu 9:30–19:00*; Sun/Hol 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed.
How to get there
- Metro: Moncloa (L3, L6)
- View Map
Museo Lázaro Galdiano
Art in a small palace, ideal for a short free visit on weekdays.
When it’s free: Tue–Fri 14:00–15:00*.
Usual hours: check their website; it usually opens Tue–Sun with extended mornings.
Tip: start with Goya and head upstairs.
How to get there
- Metro: Núñez de Balboa (L5, L9)
- View Map
Museo Naval
Always free (with recommended donation).
Access: free with a voluntary €3 contribution.
Usual hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–19:00 (August 10:00–15:00*); Mon closed.
Advice: perfect for families thanks to its models and maps.
How to get there
- Metro: Banco de España (L2)
- View Map
Museo de Historia de Madrid
Free all year round. History of the city from the 17th to the 20th century.
Entry: free; in summer it’s usually 10:00–19:00*, otherwise 10:00–20:00*; Mon closed.
How to get there
- Metro: Tribunal (L1, L10)
- View Map
Museo de San Isidro. Los Orígenes de Madrid
Another free gem to understand the city.
Entry: free; Tue–Sun 10:00–20:00* (summer 10:00–19:00*); Mon closed.
How to get there
- Metro: La Latina (L5)
- View Map
Museo Casa de la Moneda
Always free with ID/passport. Collections of coins, banknotes, and philately.
Entry: free with ID; Tue–Fri 10:00–20:00*; Sat/Sun 10:00–14:00*.
How to get there
- Metro: O’Donnell (L6)
- View Map
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN)
A top plan for kids: dinosaurs, skeletons, and workshops.
When it’s free: Sundays 17:00–20:00* (except the day before a public holiday; limited capacity).
Hours/admission: general €7; reduced €3.5.
Advice: collect the free ticket at the box office from 17:00*.
How to get there
- Metro: Gregorio Marañón (L7, L10) / Nuevos Ministerios (L6, L8, L10)
- View Map
Museo Geominero
Monumental hall with minerals and fossils, always free.
Entry: free; every day 9:00–14:00* (check occasional closures).
Suggestion: kids love the meteorites display case.
How to get there
- Metro: Ríos Rosas (L1)
- View Map
Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando
Spanish and European painting, with a weekday free window.
When it’s free: Tue–Fri 13:30–15:00* (permanent collection).
Usual hours: Tue–Sat 10:00–17:00*; Sun 10:00–15:00*; Mon closed.
How to get there
- Metro: Sevilla (L2) / Sol (L1, L2, L3)
- View Map
Final tips (to avoid queues and make the most)
- Arrive early: free windows create lines; getting there 15–30 min in advance helps.
- Capacity: some museums limit free entries until full (e.g., MNCN).
- Saturdays from 14:00*: general rule for State Museums (Sorolla, Cerralbo, Romanticismo, MAN, Antropología, América, Artes Decorativas…).
- Special events: El Prado de Noche and International Museum Day/Night add occasional free openings.
Best Free Tours in Madrid
Frequently asked questions about museums in Madrid
Which days are museums free in Madrid?
There isn’t a single day for all: each museum has its own free slot. As a guide: Prado (Mon–Sat 18:00–20:00; Sundays and public holidays 17:00–19:00, plus the first Saturday of the month at night), Reina Sofía (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 19:00–21:00; Sundays 12:30–14:30), Thyssen (Mondays 12:00–16:00; Saturdays 21:00–23:00 for temporary exhibitions), MAN (Saturdays from 14:00 and Sunday mornings; 18/4, 18/5 and 12/10), MNCN (Sundays 17:00–20:00) and the Royal Collections Gallery (Mon to Thu 18:00–20:00).
Which free museums are there in Madrid?
The big ones offer free slots: Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía (home to Guernica), Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales and the Royal Collections Gallery, among others. Check the specific times below.
What day is the Prado Museum free?
There’s a free time slot every day: Mon–Sat 18:00–20:00 and Sundays/public holidays 17:00–19:00. In addition, “El Prado de noche” is free on the first Saturday of each month (approx. 20:30–23:30) and there are special days such as 12 October, 19 November and 18 May.
How to enter the Prado for free?
Go during the last two hours (or on the first Saturday of the month at night). Arrive early due to capacity, bring your free ticket if the museum enables it online and avoid large backpacks to speed up access.
When is the Reina Sofía Museum free?
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:00; Sundays from 12:30 to 14:30. Closed on Tuesdays. Certain accredited groups also get free access (under 18s, students 18–25, over 65s, unemployed people, people with disabilities, teachers, journalists, etc.).
How to see Guernica for free?
Guernica is at the Museo Reina Sofía. Enter during its free slots (Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri and Sat 19:00–21:00; Sun 12:30–14:30) and arrive with time due to crowds.
When is the Thyssen Museum in Madrid free?
Mondays from 12:00 to 16:00 are free for everyone (Mastercard Mondays). In addition, Saturdays 21:00–23:00 are free for temporary exhibitions. There are also groups with extra free admission.
Which day is the Thyssen museum free?
Mondays (12:00–16:00) for the whole collection; Saturdays (21:00–23:00) for temporary exhibitions.
What is the free schedule of the National Archaeological Museum (MAN)?
Saturdays from 14:00 and Sunday mornings. It’s also free on 18 April, 18 May and 12 October.
Which day is the Natural Sciences Museum free?
Sundays from 17:00 to 20:00 (except the day before a public holiday). Other days require a general or reduced ticket depending on the case.
What is the free schedule of the Royal Collections Gallery?
Monday to Thursday, from 18:00 to 20:00 (free access). Open Monday to Sunday.
Which museums are free in Madrid?
Many municipal museums are free or have free days, and the big ones (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen, MAN, MNCN, Royal Collections Gallery) offer specific free slots. Always verify on the official website in case of changes.
Which day is the Wax Museum free?
The Madrid Wax Museum is privately run and has no free days.
* The information on prices, hours and access conditions is current as of August 2025 according to official sources. These details may change at any time due to holidays, works or regulatory changes. Always verify on the official websites or by phone before your visit.
