# Museo Reina Sofía — Madrid, Spain

> The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía is Spain's national museum of 20th-century art, located in Madrid near the Atocha train station. It is named after Queen Sofía and was inaugurated on 10 September 1992.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Monday and Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
- Admission: ✓ €12 standard admission; free during late afternoons
- Free entry: Every Monday–Friday after 7 PM (free) · Saturday after 2:30 PM · Sunday all day · Under 18 always free
- Address: Calle de Santa Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid, Spain
- Time needed: 2–4 hours
- Official website: https://www.museoreinasofia.es/en
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Guernica — Pablo Picasso · 1937
- The Great Masturbator — Salvador Dalí · 1929
- Woman in Blue — Pablo Picasso · 1901

## Famous works covered
- Guernica (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/guernica/)

## FAQ
**Where is Guernica displayed in the Museo Reina Sofía?**
Picasso's Guernica (1937) is displayed in Room 206.02 on the second floor of the Sabatini Building (the original hospital building). The painting — 3.49 × 7.76 metres — occupies an entire wall of the room and is flanked by the 45 preparatory studies Picasso made before finalising the composition, giving exceptional insight into his creative process. The surrounding rooms contain Picasso's other major works from the 1930s.

**Is the Museo Reina Sofía free to visit?**
Yes — the Reina Sofía offers free admission Monday and Wednesday to Saturday from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on Sundays from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. These free periods are extremely popular; arrive early. Standard daytime admission is €12. EU citizens under 18 enter free. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

**What are the highlights of the Reina Sofía collection beyond Guernica?**
The Great Masturbator (1929) and other major works by Salvador Dalí; the Miró collection — the museum holds over 200 works by Joan Miró; Woman in Blue (1901) by Picasso; Tertulia del Café de Pombo (1920) by José Gutiérrez Solana; and a significant collection of 20th-century Spanish sculpture, including works by Eduardo Chillida and Jorge Oteiza. The museum also has a strong international contemporary art programme.

**What is the Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid?**
Madrid's 'Golden Triangle of Art' is a short walk of three world-class museums along the Paseo del Prado: the Prado (Spanish and European Old Masters, 12th–20th century), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (encyclopedic Western art from the 13th century to Pop Art), and the Reina Sofía (20th-century art, primarily Spanish modern masters). All three are within a 10-minute walk of each other. The combined Paseo del Arte ticket allows discounted entry to all three in a single day.

**How long does a visit to the Museo Reina Sofía take?**
The main Sabatini Building has four floors; the newer Nouvel Building (with its striking glass-and-steel exterior elevators) adds additional temporary exhibition space. A visit focused on Guernica, the surrounding Picasso and Dalí galleries, and the Miró collection takes 2–3 hours. A comprehensive visit through all permanent and temporary exhibitions takes a full day. The Reina Sofía's architecture and café-restaurant are also worth experiencing.

**How long should I spend at Museo Reina Sofía?**
Plan 2–4 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/reina-sofia/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.