Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
8.6Friend Score / 10#2 of 12 Museums in Madrid
Known formuseumart museumpaintingsimpressionism
The third point of Madrid's art triangle — one family's staggering private collection spanning 700 years, from Van Eyck to Hopper to pop art. It fills every gap the Prado and Reina Sofía leave, hung in digestible, chronological order. €13, and free Mondays 12:00-16:00. If you have limited stamina, this is Madrid's most enjoyable single museum visit.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Mon 12:00–16:00 Tue–Sun 10:00–19:00 Sat–Sat 10:00–21:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metro Banco de España (L2), 3-minute walk |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday at opening; the free Monday slot is popular but shorter-queued than the Prado's free hours |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.6/10- Value8.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level7.5
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility9.5
Frequently asked questions
- How long does the Thyssen take?
- Two comfortable hours covers the permanent collection's highlights; three does it properly. It's the least exhausting of Madrid's big three — the layout is linear and the rooms are human-scaled.
- What is special about the Thyssen collection?
- It was the world's greatest private art collection before Spain bought it in 1993 — two generations of barons buying what national museums missed. That's why Madrid's Impressionists, German Expressionists, and American painters like Hopper mostly live here, not at the Prado.
- Thyssen or Prado if I only have time for one?
- The Prado for once-in-a-lifetime masterpieces; the Thyssen for the more pleasant, comprehensible visit. The Thyssen tells art history as one continuous story across two floors — many people leave it happier, even if the Prado's peaks are higher.
- Is the Thyssen good for kids?
- The best of the big three for them, honestly — the chronological hang works like a story, there are family activities and trails, and two hours covers it. The courtyard and café give easy break points.
- Is the Thyssen free on Mondays?
- Yes — the permanent collection is free Mondays 12:00-16:00, sponsored by Mastercard. You can't book the free tickets online; pick them up at the ticket desk that day. Temporary exhibitions still charge.
- What are the Thyssen's opening hours?
- Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-19:00, Saturdays until 21:00, and Mondays only 12:00-16:00 (the free window). Last entry an hour before closing.
- What shouldn't I miss at the Thyssen?
- Hopper's Hotel Room, Van Gogh's Les Vessenots, the Ghirlandaio portrait of Giovanna Tornabuoni (the museum's unofficial logo), and the German Expressionism rooms. Start on the top floor and work down — the collection is hung chronologically that way.
- How much does the Thyssen cost?
- €13 for adults, €9 for over-65s and students, free under 18. Saturdays it stays open to 21:00, and there are periodic free late Saturday openings — check the official site for current promotions.
Nearby in Ask Madrid
- Museo del PradoMuseum0.34 km · 4 min walk
- La VenenciaBar0.4 km · 5 min walk
- Café RústicoCafé0.4 km · 5 min walk
- Plaza de CibelesAttraction0.4 km · 5 min walk
- Barrio de las LetrasNeighborhood0.41 km · 5 min walk
Where to stay near Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza
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