Lázaro Galdiano Museum (Museo Lázaro Galdiano)

The basics

The Lázaro Galdiano Museum is housed in an opulent mansion, and contains 13,0000 artworks that make this humble museum stand out. You can admire the creations of great masters like Francisco Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, and others, all collected by the museum's patron, 19th-century publisher and entrepreneur José Lázaro Galdiano. Find a diverse collection here featuring painting and sculpture, decorative art and ceremanics, and even jewelry.

You can pay the moderate entry price to explore the museum independently, or book skip-the-line tickets in advance if you're visiting over a busy summer weekend. Guided tours are available for a small fee, with advanced notice. If you want to enjoy more art within a few blocks, it's easy to add-on a visit to the nearby Sorolla Museum.

Things to know before you go

• Design enthusiasts can appreciate the 19th-century building, adorned with frescoed ceilings, a grand ballroom, and well-appointed library.
• Seniors, students, and guests with disabilities enjoy discounted entry; family rates are available.
• Entry is complimentary with the Go Madrid Explorer Pass.
• Travelers report that the galleries are wheelchair-accessible.

How to get there

Situated in Madrid's chic Salamanca district, the museum is best reached by metro. You can take the 7 or 10 metro lines to the Gregorio Marañón stop. The museum is located just a short walk from the station, off of Calle de María de Molina, on Calle de Serrano.

When to get there

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and closes on Mondays and select holidays. For the best value, arrive when the museum offers complimentary admission (for limited hours) on Sunday afternoons. If you visit earlier in the week—and avoid peak summer tourist season—it's easier to dodge the crowds.

Visiting the Sorolla Museum

About a 10-minute walk from the Lázaro Galdiano Museum you can find the Sorolla Museum (Museo Sorolla), which features the personal art collection of Joaquín Sorolla. The artist lived and worked at this Andalusian-style mansion, and this home-turned-museum displays not only works of art, but many of the artist's personal possessions. You can visit Sorolla's actual studio—complete with his brushes and easels—and walk through gardens designed by the artist.