Museums in Madrid

Some museums are free to visit - the UK's national museums, such as the British Museum and the Natural History Museum, don't charge for their permanent collections - but most major museums in mainland Europe charge for entry. Many offer reduced or free entry for children and students, or on set days, so check before you book.

Booking museum tickets in advance is essential for the busiest museums, many of which use timed-entry slots that sell out in peak season. Smaller museums usually sell tickets at the door, but booking ahead still saves time in the queue.

Most visitors spend 2 to 3 hours in a major museum and around an hour in a smaller one. For the biggest collections, pick a few highlights in advance rather than trying to see everything in a single visit.

Most museums open at around 9am or 10am and close between 5pm and 7pm, with one or 2 late-opening evenings a week at the bigger venues. Many close one day a week, often Monday, so check opening hours before you plan your day.

A museum pass is worth it in Madrid if you're planning to visit 3 or more paid museums within the pass window. Compare the pass price with the single tickets you'd actually buy, and check whether the museums you want are free anyway.