Museums

When talking about the things to do in Spain, museums should be on your must-see list. In these museums you will find some of the world’s best collections and enjoy great art. If you interested in the seas and oceans, you can discover their secrets in the maritime museums. Archeological and historical museums complete the list. But you will also be able to visit a special museum located in a forest and the world’s only museum dedicated to wine.

Here’s a list of some of the museums which should not be missed when you visit Spain:

Prado National Museum (Museo Nacional del Prado) in Madrid

This museum in Madrid comprises the most complete collection of Spanish paintings from the 11th to 18th centuries, as well as Flemish and Italian paintings. Among the paintings on display you will find masterpieces by artists such as Bosch, El Greco, Goya, Rembrandt, Tiziano, Velázquez and Van Dyck.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 9 AM to 8 PM. General admission is €6 (adult). Entrance is free from Tuesday to Saturday from 6 PM to 8 PM.

Guggenheim Museum (Museo Guggenheim Bilbao) in Bilbao

A visit to this museum is worth even if you only want to admire the avant-garde building designed by the American architect Frank O. Gehry. The museum displays modern and contemporary art, masterpieces signed by artists such as Chillida, David Salle, Jeff Koons, Louis Bourgeois and Robert Rauschenberg.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 8 PM and is closed on Mondays. General admission is €10.50 (adult).

Naval Museum (Museo Naval) in Madrid

Within the museum you will find a collection that focuses on the Spanish naval history as well as collections comprising an overview of the navies of other countries. The museum also has an ethnographic collection which displays, in chronological order, stamps, medals, scientific instruments, weapons and manuscripts.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM and is closed on Mondays. The admission is free.

Chillida Leku Museum (Museo Chillida Leku) in Hernani

A very special museum, Chillida Leku combines art and nature by displaying the art of Eduardo Chillida in a luxuriant landscape. On a meadow covering 40 hectares / 99 acres there are 40 large sculptures and several smaller ones crated by the artist over 50 years. In the house museum there are also drawings, by the same author, on display.

The museum has different opening hours during the year but you will generally find it open any time of the year from 10:30 AM to 3 PM (much later during summer). Admission is €8 (adult).

Wine Culture Museum (Museo de la Cultura del Vino) in Briones

The world’s only museum dedicated to wine is located in Spain (Briones). A visit here will help you discover the history of this magical drink and its history. This large museum, which includes a vineyard, is the first in the world to offer its visitors an insight into scents, tastes and colors of the wine. The permanent exhibition comprises more than 2,000 pieces, among which a 13th century BC glass from China, as well as chalices from ancient Rome and Egypt.

The museum has different opening hours during the year but you will generally find it open any time of the year from 10:00 AM to 6 PM (much later during summer). Admission is €7 (adult) for the museum, €5 (adult) for the winery (€11 if you purchase a ticket for both locations)