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Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales

Natural HistoryScienceOpen until 3pmFrom €7Gregorio Marañón (L7)

Spain's national museum of natural history, run by the CSIC research council in the 1887 Palacio de las Artes y la Industria on Calle de José Gutiérrez Abascal. Its collections trace back to the Real Gabinete de Historia Natural founded by Charles III in 1771, and today hold over eight million specimens. Permanent halls cover biodiversity, minerals and fossils, human evolution and the Mediterranean, alongside rotating science and nature exhibitions.

What's On

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Permanent Collections

Plan Your Visit

Getting there

Calle de José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain

Nearest station: Gregorio Marañón (L7), Nuevos Ministerios (L6/8/10), Ríos Rosas (L2)

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Hours

Summer hours until 14 September, 10:00–15:00

MonClosed
Tue10:00–17:00
Wed10:00–17:00
Thu10:00–17:00
FriToday10:00–17:00
Sat10:00–20:00
Sun10:00–20:00

Admission

From €7

€3.50 reduced (students, unemployed, ages 4-16, groups 12+). Free entry Tue 15:00-17:00 and Sun 18:30-20:00; always free for under-4s, over-65s, disability-card holders, and large/single-parent families.

Accessibility

Step-free access, adapted restrooms, and tactile/braille materials in some exhibitions (e.g. Illustraciencia).

Nearby

Museo Lázaro Galdiano

Art7 min walk

Museo Sorolla

Art8 min walk

Fundación Juan March

MusicFree16 min walk

Museo del Romanticismo

Art22 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales cost?
Standard adult admission to Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is €7. €3.50 reduced (students, unemployed, ages 4-16, groups 12+). Free entry Tue 15:00-17:00 and Sun 18:30-20:00; always free for under-4s, over-65s, disability-card holders, and large/single-parent families.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.
What are the opening hours of Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales?
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is open Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun & bank holidays 10:00-20:00, closed Mondays except bank holidays. Until 14 Sep 2026 summer hours apply (10:00-15:00 Fri-Sun). Shortened to 10:00-15:00 on 24 & 31 Dec; closed 25 Dec (also closed 1 & 6 Jan, 1 May, not shown as they've passed for 2026).. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.
Where is Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales?
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales is located at Calle de José Gutiérrez Abascal, 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain, in the Ríos Rosas, Chamberí area of Madrid. The nearest stations are Gregorio Marañón (L7), Nuevos Ministerios (L6/8/10), Ríos Rosas (L2).
What can I see at Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales?
Spain's national natural history museum: dinosaur skeletons, a 21m whale, meteorites and Darwin's own specimens under CSIC. Current highlights include Illustraciencia 13, Insects Up Close. Urban Neighbours, Arte Plumario. Naturaleza, Identidad y Poder.
Do I need to book Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.
When is the best time to visit Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales?
Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.
Is Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales accessible?
Step-free access, adapted restrooms, and tactile/braille materials in some exhibitions (e.g. Illustraciencia).

Luis García (Zaqarbal), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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