Days in Madrid are filled with some of the best art and architecture in the world. There are endless places to consider when planning your museum time, and now you can add one more to the list – The Gallery of the Royal Collections.

Opened in 2023, this gallery, which sits on the site of the Royal Palace and Almudena Cathedral, is impressive even before you enter. This modern, award-winning building houses three immense floors of some of the Crown’s most spectacular paintings, sculptures, armors, tapestries, decorative arts, and carriages. Yes, carriages! It is a royal collection after all.

Your visit begins in the 15th Century during the reign of the House of Austria, continuing through to the 18th Century when the Bourbons came to power. There are fantastic audio/visuals everywhere which provide context to the magnificent items on display. It’s a fascinating history lesson! This museum is quite unique in that it leads downwards. Because of this, visitors are treated to a glimpse of Madrid’s beginnings upon which the modern city was built. During the excavation of this site, remnants of a 9th Century Arab wall were discovered and are now proudly on display.

A large gallery devoted to temporary exhibitions occupies the bottom floor, along with “El Cubo”, a 360-degree immersive video experience of the stunning Patrimonio Nacional sites, to which the Gallery of the Royal Collections also belongs. The gallery exits onto the beautiful El Campo del Moro gardens. Have a seat and admire this gorgeous corner of Madrid.