Madrid is most famous for its 'Golden triangle' of art museums, the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza. But there are other museums all over the city.
If all this is too much for you (personally, much as I love these museums, I get serious museum fatigue after a short while) you may be tempted by this Four-Hour Golden Triangle Museum Tour, which whisks you into the top three museums on this page (with no need to stand in line), taking you to the most famous museums in the city as quickly as possible.
See also the non-art Madrid museums that featured in my Top 100.
1. Reina Sofia
With seminal works by Picasso and Dali, the Reina Sofia is Spain's most famous modern art museum.
Read more about the Reina Sofia Art Museum
2. Prado Museum
Perennially vying with the Alhambra in Granada for title of most visited tourist attraction in Spain, the Prado has all the good art work from before Dali and Picasso - by such luminaries as Goya, Velazquez and El Greco. But one always gets the impression that many of the visitors are there because they have to go, not because they actually want to.
Read more about this Madrid art museum: Prado Museum
3. Thyssen-Bornemisza
Completely the triumvirate of great art museums located around the Paseo del Prado, this used to be one of the biggest private collections in the world.
Read more about this Madrid art museum: Thyssen-Bornemisza
4. Caixa Forum
Modern art museum with temporary exhibitions.
More on this Madrid art museum: Caixa Forum Madrid
5. Casa Encendida
Various temporary exhibitions at this cultural space.
Read more about the Casa Encendida.
6. Escultura Abstracta
Outdoor museum of abstract sculptures.
See more on the Abstract Sculpture Museum in Madrid
7. Madrid's Contemporary Art Museum
Madrid's Contemporary Art Museum can be found at the Conde Duque former barracks. The grounds themselves are great to walk around.
Read more on this Madrid art museum: Conde Duque
8. Convento de las Descalzas
A convent with a famous art collection.
More: Convento de las Descalzas
9. Museo Lazaro Galdiano
Private art collection belonging to José Lázaro Galdiano.
Read more about this Madrid art museum: Museo Lazaro Galdiano