National Archaeological Museum of Madrid

Updated on October 1, 2026

The National Archaeological Museum (MAN), on Calle Serrano, traces the history of the Iberian Peninsula from Prehistory to the 19th century, with rooms also devoted to Egypt, the Near East and Greece. Founded in 1867, it occupies part of the National Library and Museums Palace, which it shares with the National Library of Spain. Fully renovated, it reopened in 2014 with a clear, chronological layout. Its masterpieces are the Lady of Elche, the Lady of Baza and the Visigothic crowns of the Treasure of Guarrazar. The museum stands on the edge of the Salamanca district, a few minutes' walk from the Puerta de Alcalá and Retiro Park.

Highlights

The Lady of Elche

This Iberian stone bust, carved around the 5th-4th century BC, was discovered in 1897 at La Alcudia, near Elche. Her headdress with large side wheels and her necklaces make her the most famous work of Iberian art. She has been on display at the MAN since 1971.

The Lady of Baza

This statue of a seated woman, in polychrome stone, was unearthed in 1971 in a necropolis at Baza (province of Granada). Dated to the 4th century BC, it served as a funerary urn: a cavity in its side held cremated remains. It has kept much of its original colour.

The Treasure of Guarrazar

Found in the mid-19th century at Guadamur, near Toledo, this 7th-century treasure brings together gold votive crowns set with precious stones, offered by the Visigothic kings. The most spectacular, the crown of King Recceswinth, has hanging letters that spell out the king's name.

The replica of the Altamira cave

In the museum's historic garden, an underground room opened in 1964 reproduces part of the ceiling of the Polychrome Hall of the Altamira cave (Cantabria), whose original is closed to the public. The painted bison are recreated in relief and in colour. Ask at the reception desk about access times.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Admission costs €3 (€1.50 reduced rate); it is free for under-18s, over-65s and students aged 18 to 25 with proof (prices checked in October 2026). Admission is free for everyone on Saturdays from 14:00 (except public holidays), on Sunday mornings, and on 18 April, 18 May, 12 October and 6 December. The museum recommends buying your ticket online. The ticket desks close 15 minutes before closing time.

How to get there

Calle de Serrano, 13, 28001 Madrid: Metro Serrano (line 4), Retiro (line 2) Cercanías Recoletos (lines C-1, C-2, C-7, C-8, C-10) Bus: lines 1, 9, 19, 51 and 74, stop in front of the museum