Together with the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía forms the prestigious “Golden Triangle” of art in Madrid. Each museum offers a completely unique experience, as well as some of the world’s most iconic artistic masterpieces.
The Reina Sofía fort is its huge collection of modern and contemporary art. With a permanent collection that features more than 20,000 works by some of the most legendary names in the art world in the past century, it is a must see for art fans and history buffs alike. However, even curious travelers who aren’t particularly interested in any of the above are sure to get something out of visiting this incredible gem of a museum.
However, the Reina Sofía is huge, and wandering inside with no idea what the place is like or what you want to see can be overwhelming for first-time visitors. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.
History and background
Like much of the art found inside, the Reina Sofía Museum itself isn’t that old (unlike the Prado, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary at the time of its publication in 2019). The museum was founded in 1992, gaining impressive status as one of Madrid’s must-see museums in the less than 30 years it has been open.
The building that houses the museum, on the other hand, has a much longer history. In a previous life, it served as the General Hospital of Madrid, built under the supervision of the architect Francisco Sabatini in the 18th century.
Centuries later, the continued expansion and growing popularity of the museum made it clear that the existing space was not enough. The expansion project, led by French architect Jean Nouvel, increased the size of the already massive complex by more than 300,000 square feet.
The Reina Sofía’s treasures are not just limited to the museum complex itself. In Madrid’s iconic Retiro Park, you will find two separate exhibition spaces that belong to the museum: the Palacio de Velázquez and the Palacio de Cristal.
how to visit
The main headquarters of the Reina Sofía Museum (Sabatini and Nouvel buildings) is open from 10 am to 9 pm, Monday and Wednesday to Saturday. The museum has special hours on Sundays and holidays, and is closed on Tuesdays.
Individual tickets can be purchased online from eight euros, or at the box office for 10 euros. Tickets that include an audio guide can only be purchased at the box office and will cost you 15.50 euros. The museum is free most days from 7 to 9 pm, as well as from 1:30 to 7 pm on Sundays.
Once inside, you might be wondering how long to spend in the museum. There is no easy way to answer that: the place is huge, and you could easily spend hours there without seeing it all. To experience the highlights and some of its hidden gems, plan to be there for a minimum of two hours.
What to see
Any information about the museum that you find will surely have one word: ‘Guernica’. The painting in question is the undisputed jewel of the Reina Sofía collection. Standing 11 feet tall and 25 feet wide, this impressive Pablo Picasso masterpiece occupies an entire wall.
“Guernica” comes from dark origins: it represents the bombing of the Basque village of the same name by Nazi forces during the Spanish Civil War under the orders of the dictator Francisco Franco. Today, millions of people from all corners of the world come to pay tribute to one of the darkest days in Spanish history by marveling at the work created to commemorate it.
“Guernica” forms the centerpiece of the Picasso rooms of the Reina Sofía, divided into periods of the pre and post Spanish Civil War, but the art legend is not the only Spanish painter of the 20th century who receives a great deal of attention in the museum . The Reina Sofía also has an incredible collection of works by Salvador Dalí (including “Landscapes in Cadaqués”, “The Great Masturbator” and “Figure in the Window”) and Joan Miró (don’t miss “Portrait II” or “House” With palm tree «).
However, there is much more to the Reina Sofía Museum than just the internationally recognized big names. The third part of the museum’s permanent collection stands out, “From revolt to postmodernity (1962-1982),” which addresses issues such as gender, globalization, and mass and underground culture in the second half of the 20th century. The postwar Spanish photography exhibition in Room 415 is an excellent place to start.
Facilities
It’s easy to get through the day when it comes to visiting the Reina Sofía Museum. And after walking around exploring the massive collection, you will surely be hungry. Fortunately, the museum offers two fantastic café restaurants: Arzábal (serving an artisan mix of modern and traditional flavors) and NuBel (a contemporary bistro that doubles as a lively cocktail bar in the evening).
Do you want to collect a souvenir of your visit? Take a look at the fascinating gift and book shops, where you will find unique items representing some of the museum’s most famous works.
What to do nearby
Located just around the corner from Madrid’s bustling central train station and a stone’s throw from the city center, you can easily spend an entire day just exploring the Reina Sofía Museum and its surroundings.
If you are at the top of art, continue your explorations in the two remaining members of Madrid’s Golden Art Triangle. The Prado is just a 10-minute walk from the Reina Sofía Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, a little further, a 15-minute walk.
Or maybe you’d like to get some fresh air after spending so much time walking around the Reina Sofía. Fortunately, Madrid’s most famous park, Retiro, is also easily accessible from the museum. Also, once you’re there, don’t forget to see more of the museum’s unique works at the Palacio de Velázquez and the Palacio de Cristal.
While in this forest, take advantage of its location and discover a side of Madrid that few visitors can experience. South of the museum and just west of the Atocha train station, the quaint Palos de la Frontera neighborhood is a local gem filled with lush tree-lined avenues, quaint local bars (check out Bodegas Rosell, a legendary wine bar of the neighborhood that has existed since 1920) and a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
