Most important museums of Spain

Spain has some of the most important museums in the world thanks to its enormous artistic, historical and cultural heritage. From large international art galleries to archaeological museums and contemporary art spaces, the country offers cultural proposals for all types of travellers.

Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Málaga, Valencia and other Spanish cities are home to essential museums for discovering masterpieces by universal artists and learning about the history of different civilisations.

Museo del Prado de Madrid

Museo del Prado is one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world and one of the great cultural landmarks of Europe.

Its collections bring together masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, Titian and other great European artists.

What to see in Museo del Prado

• Las Meninas by Velázquez
• El Jardín de las Delicias by El Bosco
• Los Fusilamientos del 3 de mayo by Goya
• Pinturas negras by Goya

Museo Reina Sofía de Madrid

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is the great landmark of Spanish contemporary art.

Its most famous work is Guernica by Pablo Picasso, one of the most important paintings of the 20th century.

What stands out in Reina Sofía

• Guernica by Picasso
• Works by Dalí and Miró
• International contemporary art
• Temporary exhibitions

Museo Guggenheim de Bilbao

Museo Guggenheim transformed the cultural image of Bilbao and became one of the great architectural icons of Spain.

Designed by Frank Gehry, the building houses exhibitions of international modern and contemporary art.

What to visit in Guggenheim

• Architecture of the museum
• Puppy sculpture
• Contemporary exhibitions
• International art installations

Museo Picasso Málaga

Located in the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, this museum brings together an important collection dedicated to the Málaga-born artist.

The space allows visitors to go through different stages of Picasso’s career in the historic centre of Málaga.

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza de Madrid

Museo Thyssen completes the so-called Paseo del Arte of Madrid together with Prado and Reina Sofía.

Its collections range from Renaissance painting to modern and contemporary art.

Museo Nacional de Arte de Cataluña (MNAC)

MNAC, located in Barcelona, houses one of the most important collections of Romanesque art in the world.

The museum also brings together Catalan Gothic, Renaissance and modernist works.

What to see in MNAC

• Catalan Romanesque painting
• Gothic and Baroque art
• Catalan modernism
• Views from Montjuïc

Museo Arqueológico Nacional de Madrid

Museo Arqueológico Nacional allows visitors to travel through the history of Spain from prehistory to more recent periods.

Among its most famous pieces, the Dama de Elche stands out, one of the great Spanish archaeological symbols.

IVAM de Valencia

Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno is one of the most important museums of contemporary art in Spain.

The space stands out for its international exhibitions and its collection of artistic avant-gardes.

Museo Dalí de Figueres

Teatro-Museo Dalí, in Figueres, is one of the most original cultural spaces in Spain.

Designed by Salvador Dalí himself, it brings together unique surrealist paintings, sculptures and installations.

Spain, an international cultural reference

Spanish museums reflect the enormous artistic and historical wealth of the country. From great masterpieces of universal painting to archaeology, science and contemporary art, Spain offers one of the most important museum offerings in Europe.

Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Málaga, Valencia and other cities bring together essential museums for those who wish to discover Spanish cultural heritage and some of the most outstanding collections in the world.