Madrid is a city of art and culture. In fact, if you’re considering a trip to Madrid, we at LOCK & enjoy! can give you the lowdown on the very best free museums in the city. Book one of our lockers in Madrid and you won’t have to worry about where to store your suitcase.
Madrid is a city of art and culture – Discover 5 completely free museums in Madrid
The Prado Museum
The Prado Museum first opened its doors in 1819 and has been one of the most famous galleries in the country ever since. Its renown is well-earned as it houses a collection of artworks of incomparable value related to the history of Spain.
The periods represented by its works stretch from the mediaeval to the twentieth century and a wide variety of styles and genres are on display. During your visit you can take in the paintings, vignettes, drawings, sculptures, photographs and other artworks.
It is open for free visits from Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 8pm. You can also enter free-of-charge on Sundays between 5pm and 7pm. Normally you have to queue to enter for free so we recommend you turn up early.
We offer lockers in Madrid at Atocha train station so that you can immerse yourself in art without any worries. The Prado Museum is close to the station – it only takes a few minutes to get there on foot.
The Museum of Romanticism
This place is located at Calle San Mateo 13, right in the heart of the district of Malasaña. It is housed in a reconstructed mansion and portrays the lives and customs of the Spanish bourgeoisie during the Romantic period.
Follow the red carpeted staircase to be transported into the past. During your visit you can take in works of art donated by the founder Benigno de la Vega-Inclán and other collaborators. You’ll also see carefully decorated rooms, including dining rooms, drawing rooms and bedchambers from the period.
Free entry is on Saturdays only, from 2pm. However, entrance tickets aren’t expensive (around €3) if you want to visit at another time.
You’ll find a locker in the city of Madrid in Malasaña so you can leave your belongings safely.
The Reina Sofía Museum
This museum is just a few minutes’ walk from the Prado, so you could really see it as its extension. It’s dedicated to contemporary art. Here you’ll find works by globally renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and Joan Miró.
Although it houses an extremely extensive collection, the most visited painting is Picasso’s Guernica. However, we recommend that you set aside a couple of hours for your visit. You can enter for free on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm to 9pm. It also opens free-of-charge on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30pm.
If you pass Retiro Park on your way, you can also see its galleries. They normally house exhibitions by current artists. Access is completely free of charge from 10am to 7pm from Monday to Sunday.
CaixaForum
This is a social and cultural centre in the Barrio de las Letras. It hosts temporary exhibitions, so it always has something new on offer. It also puts on activities, workshops and tours for families. This is a great way for the youngest members of the family to learn and have fun at the same time.
The vertical garden at the entrance was designed by botanist and painter Patrick Blanc. It was the first one in Madrid and is made up of over 15,000 plants, covering 460 square metres.
Entrance is free for children under sixteen and CaixaBank customers but you do need to book on the internet. However, entrance is free on the local festival days of San Isidro (15/05) and Nuestra Señora de la Almudena (09/11), as well as on World Museum Day (18/05),
The Metro Museums
This unique group of museums guide us through the history of the Madrid metro. It is made up of:
- TheNave de Motores de Pacífico, which exhibits the diesel engines and original machinery from the metro.
- Chamberí station takes you on a trip to the fifties with its original tiles and posters.
- At Chamartín station you’ll find an exhibition of historical metro trains. You’ll be amazed by the well-preserved, attractive carriages.
- At Caños del Peral you’ll learn about the history of the public fountains that replaced the cisterns and the beginning of the sewage system.
- The Vestíbulo de Pacífico was totally refurbished in keeping with the architectural style and original decor from its opening in 1923.
Entrance to all these museums is free with your metro ticket. Guided tours are also on offer at no charge.
Lockers in Madrid provided by LOCK & enjoy! are strategically located in two key areas – Atocha station and the central area of Malasaña. You can place your luggage in our lockers and head out to enjoy all these museums knowing that your belongings are in good hands.
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