MADRID, SPAIN. Spain has a rich history in the tradition of art as it’s the home country to the famous Pablo Picasso, Francisco de Goya, Salvador Dalí, Diego Velazquez, and more. Many other artists from different countries have also gone to Madrid to study art. So it’s no surprise, with its history that the capital of Spain continues to support the creativity of art in these top five musuems, galleries, and exhibition halls.

5. Barrio de Las Letras

Famous for its creative history and located near the Atocha metro stop and right next to the Reina Sofia, this neighborhood in Madrid boasts a ton of art galleries, modern and contemporary, interesting shops with anything an art lover wants, and bars and restaurants decorated to fit it’s artsy vibe.

4. La Tabacalera

An underground studio/exhibition hall, with walls that are covered with amazing graffiti by talented artists, shows the true culture of the young art scene today. It holds classes for anybody to learn things from painting to welding. And it is conveniently located in Lavapiés, a multi-cultural neighborhood with restaurants which cook food from all over the world.

3. Matadero Madrid

An old slaughter house turned into an exhibition hall, this is the center for contemporary art in Madrid and is of the most stimulating and interesting places for the aspiring artist or curious and creative fellow. Matadero holds art fairs and exhibits work from design to architecture, and well as other various events. This is one really cool place you can’t leave out of your Madrid bucket-list.

2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia

Also known as simply “Reina Sofia” or “MNCARS” pronounced like “mini-cars” to the local art-loving Madrileño. This Museum holds some of the more contemporary or modernist pieces in their permanent collection also has exhibitions of contemporary works by Spanish and other international artists. It’s home to Picasso’s famous Guernica, an incredible painting standing 3.5 meters tall and 7.8 meters wide, and some of Dalí’s mesmerizing paintings too!

1. Museo Nacional del Prado

One of the most important and most visited museums in the world, the Prado holds a more traditional collection of artwork from centuries passed, telling the story of Spain’s compelling history through art. Here you can find some of the most famous paintings like Las meninas by Diego Velazquez, and the black paintings by Francisco de Goya, reflecting life in the Spanish Civil War.