Asking for Advice on Madrid Museums

We were in Madrid last month. The National Archaeological museum was a highlight--we spent about 2 hours there and could easily have spent more, but we ran out of steam. Highly recommend.

I loved the Thyssen, particularly the juxtsposition of the modern art in the 'masters' galleries. Only 40 minutes needed for me in Reina Sophia. Dali & Guernica....but then I spent 7 hours in Prado, so maybe I am not the average joe to recomm3nd 😊
What about a day trip to Toledo instead of more museums,if not already a plan?

Really enjoyed our daytrip to Toledo in May. A little over 1/2 hour to get there by train.

Before deciding on which museums, take a look at their collections. I've been to Mardrid twice, both times I spent lots of time at the Thyssen and more than twice as much at the Prado. I skipped the Reina Sophia because the collections interest me far less.

I very much enjoyed the Naval Museum, even though I remember quite a bit that wasn't translated into English. If you go, be sure to take your passports with you.

Hello from Wisconsin,
The Prado is a world class art museum. I would go in the morning, eat lunch there and then see a bit more of it. I can only take so much museum viewing at one time. Sot on every bench as you go along.

CaixoForum is at leastworth poking your head into to see the architecture, especially the two stair cases. The stainless and the cream. The CaizoForum is across the street from the Prado.

Enjoy Madrid. If you are at the palace or cathedral near Spanish supper time, let me recommend the Rayuela restaurant. It is south of the cathedral across the bridge and on the left in about one half block.

Wayne iNWI

I felt I had to see the CaixaForum as my apartment was up the street and I had heard so much about it. Other than the stair well, it wasn't really my thing. I preferred the exterior architecture and the living wall they grow. I think this is definitely a place where you need to make yourself aware of the current exhibit.
For the Palace, the Armory is interesting - particularly the horse armor. The rest you can speed walk through as there are extensive collections of some things (see the current thread about OD'ng on museums, etc)

Another vote for the Archaeology Museum. It was my favorite museum in Madrid. Rent the audio guide, well worth it. We took the Essential 33 tour. It takes you through the caveman, Roman, Islamic, and Christian periods. Besides, beautiful exhibits, there are short videos with additional explanations. For me, the best one was the extraction of gold from the ores using primitive tools. Give yourself at least 2 hours. Sundays is free admission. Go as soon as it opens to avoid the crowds.

Just agreeing with Maria and Chani. Before you decide which art museums to go to, look at their collections (there's little overlap). For me, as for Maria, I found it didn't take me much time to see the Reina Sofia (alas, even the Guernica didn't have much affect on me), but the Prado is astonishing, and I also love the Thyssen. With five days, you can see only one per day, which will dilute the risk (very real) of art overload.

If you want an intimate and personal art museum instead of a huge one, look into the Museo Sorolla http://www.culturaydeporte.gob.es/msorolla/en/inicio.html. It's his former house with his artworks all over, so you get a sense of the artist as well as his art. It's not in the center, but it's easy to get to on the metro. As a bonus, I went during the free time and it wasn't too crowded to enjoy, so I assume that during other times it's probably not crowded at all.

In 2017, the Naval Museum asked for a 2 Euro donation, and we definitely enjoyed it well beyond the cost. The first known map of the Americas is definitely worth perusing. It's cheap, not crowded, and doesn't require a huge time or energy commitment.