What to see at the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza on your first visit
The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum is an art museum with a collection that traces the history of Western painting from the late 13th century to the 1980s. Dürer, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Gauguin, O’Keeffe, Hopper, Picasso… are just a few of the great names in painting whose works you can admire.
Where should I start the tour?
The Museo Thyssen houses two collections: the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection (levels 1 and 2) and the Carmen Thyssen Collection (level 0). In addition, there are spaces dedicated to temporary exhibitions located on the ground floor, level -1, and in some rooms on the first and second floors.
If you’d like to follow a chronological order, start your visit on the second level and proceed by following the room numbers until you reach the ground floor. This way, you’ll be able to explore the evolution of Western painting across different eras, styles, and artistic movements.
How long does it take to visit the museum?
The estimated duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. This allows you to explore the collection at a leisurely pace and linger over some of the masterpieces. If you’d also like to visit the temporary exhibition on the ground floor, allow about 50 additional minutes.
Must-See Works
If this is your first visit and you’re short on time, you can focus on a selection of works that reflect the diversity of the collection. Your visit will take about an hour and a half.
We recommend taking the tour with our audioguide, available in 10 languages, and discovering the secrets, stories and emotions hidden behind each masterpiece. Below, you can explore some of the works included in this recommended tour, which you can discover in greater detail during your visit.
And here you can discover more of the museum’s masterpieces
Explore the collection from different perspectives
In addition to the recommended itinerary for a first visit, you can explore the collection by following different thematic tours and discover the works through topics such as nature, literature, music, fashion, gastronomy, or Dutch painting.
Practical tips for your first visit
If you haven't bought your ticket yet...
Plan ahead—it can help you better organize your visit and ensure you can enter the museum on the date and during the time slot of your choice. Check our opening hours, admission prices, and the different ticket options we offer.
Do kids get in for free?
Visitors under 18 are eligible for free admission as long as they are not visiting with a teacher (in which case they are eligible for the reduced student rate). Tickets must be purchased at the ticket office or online (only infants may enter without a ticket).
If you’re visiting with your family, we recommend checking out our page The Thyssen Museum with Children.
What is the best day and time to visit the museum?
Wednesdays and Thursdays are usually quieter. The least crowded time is between 14.00 and 16.00.
Do you have limited time to visit us?
We recommend taking the “Masterpieces” thematic tour, available on our audioguide. If you haven’t purchased it in advance, you can do so at the audioguide counters in the museum.
Getting around the museum: map and mobile guide
You can view the museum map here. To reduce paper use, we do not provide printed maps. If you prefer, you can also visit the Information Desk and scan the QR code for our mobile guide, a convenient and sustainable way to find your way around during your visit.
Bringing food or water into the rooms
To ensure the preservation of the artwork, you are not permitted to bring food or drinks into the galleries. If necessary, our security staff can assess your situation.
Entering and leaving the museum on the day of my visit
You can enter and leave the museum as many times as you like (please note that this is not allowed for the temporary exhibitions on the ground floor and level -1).
Take photos
You are allowed to take photos and videos, but please remember that you must not use a flash, so as not to damage the artwork. For temporary exhibitions, please ask our staff on the floor or check the artwork label.
Cloakroom
By presenting your ticket, you can check any items you need at the cloakroom free of charge. For hygiene reasons, pets, food, beverages, and plants are not allowed. There, you can request wheelchairs, electric scooters, walking canes, and strollers (please note that there is also a baby feeding room on level -1). On Mondays, the cloakroom does not accept suitcases.
Your accessible visit
On this page, you can find information on how to get to the museum and the accessible services, facilities, and resources available to you: accessibility.
During your visit, our visitor services staff will be on hand to ensure that your visit is accessible, helping to guarantee your comfort and well-being at all times.
Do I need a ticket to get into the museum shop?
You can visit the shop without a museum ticket.
Cafeteria: Your time to relax
Stop by our café on the ground floor. It offers a wide selection of drinks, sandwiches, pastries, and combo meals, as well as a carefully curated restaurant menu.
