Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum - Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"Start us off with an overview. The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, once an aristocratic mansion, falls somewhere between the avant-garde works at the Reina Sofia and the traditional Spanish art at the Prado . With an enormous collection of European art from the continent’s most respected masters, the museum is a must-see for anyone. As the third largest museum in the city, it is an easy walk from Madrid’s two other major art hot spots. What's in the permanent collection? Forget the video installations of Reina Sofía; traditionalist work reigns supreme here. Expect recognizable pieces from the likes of Dalí, El Greco, Monet, Picasso, and Rembrandt. Some works date back to the Medieval period; others are from the 20th century. There are even some 19th-century American paintings as well as some interesting modern pop art. How are the temporary exhibits? Rotating exhibitions include a current collection of female portraits by Chechu Álava, an artist from the northern region of Asturias. Coming soon is a retrospective on the work of Surrealist painter René Magritte. How are the crowds? You can’t avoid the crowds, but you can book tickets online and arrive as soon as the museum opens. On Monday afternoons, when admission is free, the crowds swell. How's the space re: accessibility? You’ll find no shortage of benches, elevators, or ramps. The museum loans wheelchairs and makes impressive use of braille and hearing-impaired resources, too. Do you need a guide? Audio guides do the trick in this large museum. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring, or skip it? Don’t lug home heavy art books when you can browse the gift shop online . Is the café worth a stop, or should we plan on going elsewhere? Savvy locals love the museum's trendy terrace cafe, which serves great gin & tonics. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Unless you’re the “read-every-sign” type, you can get through this museum in around two hours. That’s especially important if you have tickets to the three major museums that make up Madrid's Paseo del Arte (Art Walk)." - Ramsey Qubein