CaixaForum Madrid: Vertical Garden, Exhibitions and Hours

Updated on October 1, 2026

CaixaForum Madrid, the cultural centre of the "la Caixa" Foundation, occupies a former power station at Paseo del Prado 36, converted by the architects Herzog & de Meuron and opened in 2008. It is known for its 460 m² vertical garden by Patrick Blanc, which you can see for free from the square, and for its temporary exhibitions on art, history and science. The centre opens every day from 10am to 8pm; general admission costs €6 and covers all exhibitions (prices checked in October 2026). It stands between the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofía Museum, so it fits easily into a day on the Paseo del Arte; allow 1 to 1.30 hours for one or two exhibitions.

Highlights

The facade and its steel crown

The brick walls of the early 20th-century power station were kept and topped with two storeys clad in perforated, rust-coloured oxidised cast iron. Lifted off the ground, the building seems to float above the square: it is the most photographed view of the site.

Patrick Blanc's vertical garden

On the wall of the neighbouring building, the French botanist created a garden 24 metres high and 460 m² in area, with about 15,000 plants of 250 species grown without soil. The first vertical garden of its kind in Spain, it changes with the seasons and can be seen from the square without a ticket.

The covered square

Beneath the building, a public space sheltered by faceted steel ceilings serves as the entrance to the centre. It is freely accessible and offers shade in summer.

Temporary exhibitions

The programme alternates archaeology, fine arts, photography, design and science, often in partnership with major international museums. Check the programme before you go: the galleries change several times a year.

The staircase and upper floors

The white, sculptural spiral staircase links the square to the exhibition galleries. The centre also has a 322-seat auditorium, a bookshop, a café and a restaurant.

Opening hours and prices

Open every day, public holidays included, from 10am to 8pm; on 24 and 31 December and 5 January from 10am to 6pm; closed on 25 December, 1 and 6 January. General admission: €6, valid for all exhibitions; guided tours of the building and garden: €3; guided tours of the exhibitions: €4. Free for under-16s, European Youth Card holders and CaixaBank customers, and for everyone on 15 and 18 May and 9 November (prices checked in October 2026).

Infos pratiques

Tips

Buy your ticket online for popular exhibitions, especially at weekends. The vertical garden and the square are free to see: they make a useful stop between the Prado and the Reina Sofía, even if you do not go in.