Naval Museum

Exceptional collection. Thoughtfully arranged. Does justice to the Spanish naval heritage, one of the greatest navies of all time. It also showcases lots of technical and scientific naval innovations of Spain during and after the Discovery of Americas. These later became a naval standard. All this for free ! Must visit.

I mean, given the volume of material versus the cost (encouraged €3 donation), it's impossible to rate anything but 5/5. Regardless the breadth, detail and quality of items on display or knowledge passed on is unequalled. If you have the slightest knowledge or interest in maritime history or history of exploration this is a must see, if you know what boats are... This is for you.

It's an unusual and interesting museum. It's worth a visit if you're interested in museums like me. You can also see models of famous ships here, which was very interesting to me!

A hidden gem! Beautifully displayed historic swords, coins and banners. Ship models of the highest craftsmanship in intricately designed displays. It tells the history of the Spanish Armadas and colonialism until current times. Definitely worth a visit. Entrance is free of charge, a donation is gratiously accepted.

A positive experience. Lots of models and beautiful paintings. I do miss the use of modern technology, however, so that you could better imagine life at sea. I think it must be on its way. A good place to spend a few hours when the weather in Madrid does not encourage being outdoors.

This is my third visit. I am impressed with the updated exhibits and thorough history. The English translations are excellent and match the Spain text.

A very rich and interesting experience visiting the museum. The ship models are amazing. It has a complementary app and experiences that take advantage of new technologies, along with some improvements to be more inclusive for all visitors.

2025.06.06 Definitely worth a visit! Donations can help it continue to provide better exhibitions

I do not understand how the naval museum has only 25 reviews so hi! Let me tell you why you need to visit here: The museum is donation based, I gave 5€ because history. It's not as big of a museum as you might think walking in because when you think Spanish navy, you think armada, and so I was thinking it'd be in a bigger space than it is, but what space it is in, it's crammed full of artifacts and history. I loved seeing all the old flags and cannonry, it's definitely something you need to see if you're a history lover like me. The gift shop has some cute ornaments inside it too, def be sure to check those out!

Loved it. But, then, I love all military museums. The Spanish are very proud of their naval history. There are myriad models ranging from 200 years old to yesterday. It was not crowded. €6 for 2

A one floor densely packed museum of Spain's naval history from the beginning to modern times. 1-2 hours will be enough for most. A must see to gain an appreciation of Spain's naval history, given its impact on the world. Frank assessment of decline as well. Entry is 'free' but 3 euro per non student adult is recommended. Kids/students free. Note that the museum itself is not well climate controlled so can get hot so go early during summer as with most things!

Outstanding. Truly on par with the Prado and the Palacio Real amongst Madrid attractions, although obviously with a narrower focus and less general awareness. But please do not miss this museum if you have any interest whatsoever in naval history, Spanish history, or even general European history. The value is incredible--only three Euro to view this large, dense and varied collection. We spent two and a half hours but could easily have spent four. There is a very informative and well translated (English version) visitor's guide, and warm, helpful staff to answer your questions. Photography is allowed (see photos), and there is also a small souvenir area in the front selling prints and postcards of some of the maps and paintings in the museum. The collection is marvelously extensive and comprehensive, absolutely excellent. Each large gallery or set of rooms is dedicated to a period in Spanish naval history, from the late fifteenth century right up to the present day. Maps, paintings, documents, ship models, naval and astronomical instruments, weapons, furniture, everyday objects, ceremonial items. There is a reconstruction of a wardroom from a 16th-century frigate, and another of a commander's cabin from the 19th century. A large, airy room in the center of the building recreates a portion of an 18th-century shipyard and describes Spanish shipbuilding during that period. At the time of our visit in December, the temporary exhibition room featured a vast array of artifacts from the wreck of the ship San Diego (off the coast of Manila in 1600); this exhibit shows the nitty-gritty of daily life and operations on a ship of that era--fascinating stuff. There is a room full of arms and ethnographic items originating from a multitude of overseas cultures with which Spain had contact, mostly from the 19th century. The museum space itself is handsome and stately, with high ceilings, warm chandelier light, rich carpets and furnishings, and tons of medium and dark wood, not to mention impeccable order and cleanliness. Obviously a tremendous amount of thought and effort has been poured into its creation, curation, and maintenance. The hours that we spent there were so pleasant, exciting, and edifying that I cannot recommend this museum enthusiastically enough.

As far as museums go this one is really great and as far as naval museums go, the best I've seen anywhere and I have seen a lot of them. The displays are properly presented and the format is not only historical but educational as well. Looking over the old navigational instruments, it makes you wonder how anybody could find anything and easily answers the question of why Columbus thought he landed in India. It lets me know how lucky I am to have a GPS. It's also rather easy to see why they had so many ship wreaks since the early sailing ships, even when just built, were in fact already pretty much of a wreak.

The museum is absolutely beautiful!! It show cases mo much military, cultural, and political history. If you love the above, this place will gratify your interests. The condition of the collection is very well kept and original. It is amazing to appreciate the history of Spanish world influence through one of the best navies in the world.

I came here because it was conveniently located, and because my slightly outdated guidebook said it would be free. In fact, it cost 3 euros, and I was too embarrassed to admit to the people working there that I was too cheap and not interested enough in naval history to go in. But I should have admitted it. This actually would have been a a good museum if I spoke Spanish, or if they offered more English explanations. The history seems like the sort of thing I would care about, but only the major descriptions of each room were in English, while the descriptions on individual artifacts and models were only in Spanish. Highly recommended if you speak Spanish and are into history, naval or otherwise. Not recommended if you don't speak Spanish.

Good, fairly compact museum- oddly far from the sea, and therefore lacking in actual ships, the museum makes up for it by having a huge number of model ships, spanning the Middle Ages up to the present day. Specific displays cover voyages of exploration to South America, the battle of Trafalgar, the sinking of the USS Maine that precipitated the Spanish-American War, and the role of the Armada in the Spanish Civil War, particularly interesting for a non- Spaniard. Large displays of vintage weaponry, including Moro weapons ( from a conflict largely unknown outside Spain and the Philippines). I could find a display on the disaster of 1588, but it probably looms larger in the British historical consciousness than it does the Spanish. Highly recommended for the historically minded, and all for a bargain 3 Euro suggested donation!

You MUST have a serious interest in naval history to enjoy this museum. If not, it's a snoozer. It's pretty small, maybe five rooms, so it's not a big deal to wait outside while someone else enjoys it or pay the 3 euros "donation" and wander about. Honestly, I think Emily S. went to a different museum or it's changed a lot -- in 2018, this museum is inside a big building near the Prado and takes up less than half of the first floor (not to be confused with the ground floor). The items are well maintained. The torpedoes that function as pillars are unusual, while the many models weren't appealing to me. There are placards in Spanish and English next to each item, so you can understand what you need to by reading everything. The only tour we found was in Spanish.

This museum is a hidden gem in Madrid. The sheer quantity of historical artifacts is quite impressive. The museum walks you through the history of the Spanish navy from the 1400s to today in a fairly concise manner, while still providing adequate historical context.

This place is bigger than it looks. And if I remember correctly admission is free. There is a security checkpoint when you visit the museum and once inside, there are lots of cool ships, and weapons you can see. There are a few paintings, and even a cool area where you can see what the inside of the officer's room on the ship would look like. There's a newer area towards the end that was super cool too. And it tells you about the whole history of one of the guys.. I forgot who :P

Best value museum in Madrid. Great models and naval art. Tells a good story. Cool collection of artifacts and the map of exploration was impressive.

There are so many different museums that you can visit in Madrid but this is a must see. The cost to visit the museum is just 3 euros. If you are interested in getting the listening device then it is only an additional 3 to 4 euros. The informational documentation/map of the museum is offered in english. The replicas of the ships in the museum are amazing. The variety of swords, knifes and guns give a great depiction of what was utilized by military personnel.

This museum is advertised as "gratis", but in reality they demand a 3 eruo donation. They also have a very pompous security system on entry.

At 3 euros this musem is a tremendous bargain. If you have an interest in naval history this museum is a great educational experience. You can walk the entire museum in about an hour if you are simply surveying the items. If you want to spend time looking over the various exhibits you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours here. Well worth the time.

I HAVE TO AGREE. By far this is one of the best naval museums, its a lesson in Spanish history of the seven seas and how they came to discover the New World.. To enter it is only three euros and there are rooms filled with everything that has to do from Columbus to General Franco which I had to live under for a year of my life. If you are here for a week save this place for a rainy day or go to the Prado , have lunch and then go down to street it is only a few blocks away. This is an educational experience for young and old, being that I have been a teacher for over 35 years.

This was amazing and beautiful and fabulous. I highly recommend it. Very high security, do not go without your passport as you wont be let in. Its in the government buildings location of the city where if there is a protest going on it will be in this area. The day we were here there was on against austerity measures in Europe and there was a high police presence. My friends and I are big boat people and these museums really interest us. We have visited a lot and this is by far our favorite. Its opposite a lovely park and well worth it the visit.