Museo Lázaro Galdiano
Quick answer
Museo Lázaro Galdiano in Madrid, Spain — the Museo Lázaro Galdiano occupies the former mansion of collector José Lázaro Galdiano on Serrano street in Madrid's Salamanca district. Open Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: €7 standard admission. Allow 2 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Museo Lázaro Galdiano at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | €7 standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday morning — the mansion is quiet and uncrowded. |
| Getting there | Metro: Rubén Darío (Line 5) or Gregorio Marañón (Lines 7, 10) — 5-minute walk |
| Address | C. de Serrano, 122, 28006 Madrid, Spain |
| Official website | museolazarogaldiano.es |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Museo Lázaro Galdiano known for?
The Museo Lázaro Galdiano occupies the former mansion of collector José Lázaro Galdiano on Serrano street in Madrid's Salamanca district. Galdiano (1862–1947) amassed one of the greatest private art collections in Spain, bequeathing it to the nation along with his library of 20,000 volumes.
The collection spans Spanish art from the Middle Ages to Goya, with outstanding works by El Greco, Velázquez, Murillo, Zurbarán, and Goya. Goya's Witches' Sabbath (El Aquelarre) and El Greco's San Sebastián are among the highlights of any Madrid museum visit outside the Prado.
The mansion itself — designed by José Espelius — provides an intimate, domestic setting for the collection, with gilded ceilings, wood panelling, and rooms arranged as Galdiano lived among his art. It feels more like visiting a great collector's home than a public institution.
Located on Paseo de la Castellana's Serrano branch, the museum is a short walk from the Santiago Bernabéu stadium and the Salamanca shopping district.
Best for: Spanish Art Lovers · Goya Enthusiasts · Art Lovers
How long do you need at Museo Lázaro Galdiano?
Allow 2 hours. A focused route through 5 must-see highlights at Museo Lázaro Galdiano without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
Witches' Sabbath (El Aquelarre)
📍 Goya Gallery, Second Floor
A Black Painting from Goya's Quinta del Sordo, showing the Devil as a great he-goat presiding over a coven of witches.
- 2
Saint Sebastian
📍 El Greco Gallery
El Greco's late painting of the martyred saint, with the artist's characteristic elongated figure and spiritual intensity.
- 3
The Rokeby Venus (copy after Velázquez)
📍 Velázquez Gallery
Galdiano's collection includes major works by and after Velázquez, reflecting his ambition to rival the Prado.
- 4
Portrait of a Lady
📍 Modern Gallery
A luminous Sorolla portrait exemplifying the Valencian master's handling of Mediterranean light.
- 5
Reliquary Bust of Saint Acisclus
📍 Medieval Gallery
A gem-encrusted gold reliquary bust, among the finest pieces of medieval Spanish goldwork in a private collection.
What are the must-see works at Museo Lázaro Galdiano?
5 highlights that define the collection: Witches' Sabbath (El Aquelarre), Saint Sebastian, The Rokeby Venus (copy after Velázquez) and more.
Witches' Sabbath (El Aquelarre)
Francisco de Goya · c. 1798
📍 Goya Gallery, Second Floor
A Black Painting from Goya's Quinta del Sordo, showing the Devil as a great he-goat presiding over a coven of witches.
Saint Sebastian
El Greco · c. 1610–1614
📍 El Greco Gallery
El Greco's late painting of the martyred saint, with the artist's characteristic elongated figure and spiritual intensity.
The Rokeby Venus (copy after Velázquez)
Workshop of Velázquez · 17th century
📍 Velázquez Gallery
Galdiano's collection includes major works by and after Velázquez, reflecting his ambition to rival the Prado.
Portrait of a Lady
Joaquín Sorolla · 1910s
📍 Modern Gallery
A luminous Sorolla portrait exemplifying the Valencian master's handling of Mediterranean light.
Reliquary Bust of Saint Acisclus
Medieval goldsmiths · 13th century
📍 Medieval Gallery
A gem-encrusted gold reliquary bust, among the finest pieces of medieval Spanish goldwork in a private collection.
Collections and highlights
- • Goya — Witches' Sabbath and portraits
- • El Greco religious paintings
- • Velázquez and Spanish Golden Age
- • Murillo and Zurbarán works
- • Sorolla and nineteenth-century Spanish art
- • Medieval goldwork and enamels
- • Arms and armour collection
- • Galdiano library — 20,000 volumes
Tips for visiting Museo Lázaro Galdiano
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday morning — the mansion is quiet and uncrowded.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Very quiet; one of the least visited major Madrid museums.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Around €6 standard admission; free Saturday afternoons and for under-18s.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Salamanca district restaurants; Serrano street cafés.
- 5.
Accessibility
Historic mansion with partial wheelchair access to ground floor.
How do you get to Museo Lázaro Galdiano?
- metro Rubén Darío (Line 5) or Gregorio Marañón (Lines 7, 10) — 5-minute walk
- walk Serrano 122, Salamanca district — 15 minutes from Retiro Park
- bus Multiple buses along Paseo de la Castellana and Serrano
Address: C. de Serrano, 122, 28006 Madrid, Spain
Museo Lázaro Galdiano: frequently asked questions
Is admission free at any time?
Yes — free on the last hour of every day and on Sundays.
How do I reach the museum?
Take the metro to Rubén Darío or Gregorio Marañón.
How long should I spend at Museo Lázaro Galdiano?
Plan 2 hours for the highlights of Museo Lázaro Galdiano. Our 5-stop route — Witches' Sabbath (El Aquelarre), Saint Sebastian, The Rokeby Venus (copy after Velázquez) and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Museo Lázaro Galdiano best known for?
José Lázaro Galdiano left his palace and 12,600-piece collection to the Spanish state in 1947. The museum opened in his former home Parque Florido in 1951. Key highlights include The Witches' Sabbath by Goya, Saint John the Baptist Meditating by Bosch, Ivories and enamels gallery.
How do I get tickets for Museo Lázaro Galdiano?
Admission: €7 standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.museolazarogaldiano.es/en
How does this compare to the Prado?
The Prado is larger, but Lázaro Galdiano offers an intimate mansion setting with Goya's Witches' Sabbath and major El Greco works — without the Prado's crowds.
Is the library open to visitors?
The library is accessible by appointment for researchers. The art collection is the main visitor attraction.
Why is it less well known?
Galdiano's mansion museum lacks the Prado's profile, but its Goya, El Greco, and Golden Age holdings are genuinely world-class.
Is Museo Lázaro Galdiano open on Mondays?
No — Museo Lázaro Galdiano is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are Museo Lázaro Galdiano's opening hours?
Museo Lázaro Galdiano is open Tuesday to Saturday: 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM; Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
