Location: Madrid
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Things to do in Madrid, Community of Madrid: The Best History Museums
So many of Madrid’s buildings look like castles, you’ll think you’ve stumbled into a fairytale. Even City Hall is astounding, with its white pinnacles and neo-Gothic features. A self-guided architecture tour can begin by the great bear statue in the central Puerta del Sol. Wander by the fanciful Royal Palace before absorbing the natural beauty of Retiro Park, then visit one of the city’s many museums. You could happily cap off each day by nibbling on forkfuls of paella while sipping Spanish rioja.
Restaurants in Madrid
1. Of. de atencion al ciudadanano de La Guardia Civil
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
2. Casa Museo Lope de Vega
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 741 reviews
"My little house, my peace, my garden and my study" Such was the way Lope described his house in a letter to a friend. A visit to this house es a testimony, a literary and emotional journey, an invitation to travel through art, literature and history to a bygone Madrid. Access to the museum is via guided group tours (maximum 10 people accompanied by a guide)Tours must be booked in advance by telephone or email.
Reviewed By breezy1435 - Saratoga Springs, United States
Constant Companion and I booked an English Tour several months in advance and hoped for the best! We had tried to visit last year but on the day of our reservation the guide fell ill. Our guide, only two months in his job this year was terrific! I cannot say enough good about him--passionate, humorous, and accommodating! We were the only two on the tour so he showed us all the rooms, told wonderful stories, and provided us interesting insights. Lope de Vega was a contemporary of Cervantes. He wrote many plays, had 17 children, became a priest, had several loves including the "love of his life" in his 40's, an actress! It is this home which he purchased to settle down, to devote time to his gardens, and to outsmart the tax man by "having a military guest in his home"! We completely enjoyed our visit, particularly the living room, the bookcases, and the objects donated by a daughter who became a nun! Very highly recommended Madrid treasure!
3. Museo Arqueologico Nacional
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,099 reviews
Works dating mostly from Hispanic prehistory to the Modern Age, but it also includes some other cultural remains: Greek, Etruscan, Roman and various South American cultures.
Reviewed By 485carmencitad - Madrid, Spain
NATIVE POPULATION, as Tartessos, Turdetani, Iberian, Celts, Ligurians Galaicos, Astures, Cantabrians, Várdulos, Basques, MEDITERRANEAN Phoenicians Carthaginians, Greek, CONQUERORS Roman ,Vandalos, Suevos, Alanos, Goths Byzantine, Visigoths Arab... All these peoples constructed or left his fingerprint in Spain and you can find his track and his memory in the objects that are exposed in this eclectic Archaeological National Museum Dating from 1867, after a Conscientious renovation project is maybe the best archaeological museum in Europe and, therefore, in the world'. It traces the evolution of human cultures, from prehistoric times up to the 15th century.Remarkably, the great majority of pieces came from excavations carried out within Spain, illustrating the extraordinary continuity and diversity of human settlement in the Iberian peninsula. illustrating the extraordinary continuity and diversity of human settlement in the Iberian peninsula.
4. Naval Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,830 reviews
** This place is temporarily closed**The Madrid Naval Museum is a State institution which belongs to the Ministry of Defense. The Museum is under the organic command of the Admiral Chief of Naval Staff and is governed by a Board of Trustees (Real Patronato). The Naval Museum is a living institution opened to the public. Its curators not only study, look after, exhibit and acquire new objects, but use it as an instrument of communication, education and dissemination of the maritime history of Spain and its traditions. The following are some of the research fields: History of the Spanish Navy Naval shipbuilding Nautical science and auxiliary sciences like cosmography, cartography and nautical instruments. History of maritime voyages and discoveries. Underwater archaeology Maritime heritage
Reviewed By dicod712 - Oslos, Denmark
What a fantastic and interesting museum depicting Spain's history as the supreme naval power . Not huge like some of Madrid other world class museums. Alot more manageable.
5. Museo de San Isidro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 135 reviews
Reviewed By TrueTexasTraveler - Amarillo, United States
This museum of a bit off the beaten tourist path and well worth your time if you love history. It focuses on history in the Madrid area from prehistoric times until about when the Royal Court began calling Madrid home. You'll learn about a mammoth miracle, see the well where San Isidro performed his miracle, see relics from the time the Romans controlled Madrid, and much more. It is free to enter and the information is in Spanish and English. This is definitely somewhat of a hidden gem.
6. Museo de la Catedral de la Almudena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
El Museo de la Catedral de la Almudena de Madrid tiene como mision conservar, exhibir, investigar y comunicar los testimonios tangibles e intangibles de la historia de la diocesis de Madrid. La visita muestra a los Patronos de Madrid: La Virgen de la Almudena y San Isidro Labrador, y un recorrido por la vida de la Iglesia a traves de los siete sacramentos. Con el fin de que cada uno descubra, reflexione y construya valores de fe, historia y union con la Iglesia de Madrid, su Catedral y su Patrona, a partir de su propia experiencia.
7. Casa de Velazquez
8. Museo de Historia de Madrid
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 327 reviews
9. Museo de America
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 403 reviews
Reviewed By rukshanaa2016 - York, United Kingdom
In a beautiful modern building with visual references to the past the history of the Americas is recounted with globes , maps , videos as well as a wonderful treasure house of artefacts . Spanish America is emphasized but eg the Inuits & other Far Northern peoples are represented . The beauty and workmanship of the ceramics and textiles particularly impressed me . Currently they have no cafeteria however - unfortunate but there are many choices nearby in Moncloa .
10. Museo del Ferrocarril de Madrid
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 446 reviews
The Railway Museum is located in the old station of Delicias, which opened in 1880 by king Alfonso XII and Queen Maria Cristina, is one of the most significant examples of the "iron architecture" of the nineteenth century. This monumental building is the site of the Museum since 1984, and it includes one of the most complete collection in Europe of historical materials railways. It also provides an information service and conservation of documentary heritage through the Railway History Archive, Library and Documentation Centre.
Reviewed By RamblinManfromGA - Cumming, United States
I stayed near Atocha station during my three day business trip in Madrid. I looked on the map and saw this museum and knew I needed to go. It is not the most expansive railroad museum, but it was very captivating. The museum takes visitors from the early days of railways in Spain up to modern times. There is a nice restaurant in the middle that operates in a rail car, but I did not eat there. The neat caveat of this museum is that they have a small room dedicated to model railroading and engines/trains from different countries.
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