Alicante Banner
Free Museums in Madrid in 2026: Updated Days and Hours for Budget Travelers
Tourism

Free Museums in Madrid in 2026: Updated Days and Hours for Budget Travelers

January 12, 2026

Free Museums in Madrid in 2026: Updated Days and Hours for Budget Travelers

Madrid is a paradise for art lovers: you can visit top museums for free during specific hours and days. We’ve compiled the latest 2026 guide—save it to save euros and not miss out on masterpieces!

Museo del Prado

Free entry: Mon–Sat 6–8 PM, Sun and holidays 5–7 PM.

Special bonus: first Saturday of each month — El Prado de Noche (8:30–11:30 PM). Perfect for an evening dive into Velázquez and Goya!

Museo Reina SofĂ­a

Free: Mon and Wed–Sat 7–9 PM, Sun 12:30–2:30 PM.

Closed on Tuesdays. Picasso’s Guernica awaits with no queues during these slots!

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

Fully free on Mondays (permanent collection).

Plus Noches Thyssen on Saturdays 9–11 PM.

Palacio Real de Madrid

Free for EU citizens, residents, and Latin Americans: Mon–Thu around 5–7 PM (passport/ID required).

For others: paid, but worth every euro.

GalerĂ­a de las Colecciones Reales

Same as Palacio Real: Mon–Thu 6–8 PM free for EU/residents.

Other gems with free access

  • Palacio de Liria: Mondays (non-holidays) 9:15–9:45 AM.
  • Real JardĂ­n Botánico: Tuesday 10 AM–1 PM.
  • Museo Cerralbo: Thursday 5–8 PM + Sunday all day.
  • Museo Lázaro Galdiano: Tue–Fri 2–3 PM.
  • Museo ArqueolĂłgico Nacional: Saturday from 2 PM + Sunday all day.
  • Museo del Romanticismo: Saturday from 2 PM + Sunday all day.
  • Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales: Sunday 5–8 PM.
  • FundaciĂłn MAPFRE: Monday from 2 PM (check in advance—subject to changes).
  • CaixaForum Madrid: free only for CaixaBank customers.

These hours let you explore Madrid without hurting your wallet—arrive early during peak slots to avoid crowds. Which museum on this list is your favorite? Share in the comments!

Share with friends and enjoy Madrid’s free culture in 2026!