Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza (Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum), Madrid (must see)

This extraordinary private collection, curated by Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza, his son Hans Heinrich, and his former wife Carmen, is a treasure trove of art spanning centuries. Since its opening in 1993, the museum has showcased masterpieces by renowned Western artists from the 14th century onwards. An extension, seamlessly integrated into the original museum layout, now hosts temporary exhibitions and Carmen's remarkable collection, which features a strong emphasis on 19th-century landscapes, North American art, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism.

To explore the collection in chronological order, begin on the second floor, where you'll encounter pre-Renaissance artwork from the 14th century. Renaissance portraits by renowned artists such as Ghirlandaio, Raphael, and Holbein adorn the walls, including Holbein's captivating portrayal of Henry VIII. Moving forward, you'll discover equally impressive works by Titian, Tintoretto, El Greco, Caravaggio, and Canaletto. The new galleries house a superb collection of landscapes and serene Impressionist pieces by Pissarro, Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Sisley.

Continuing to the first floor, you'll encounter an exceptional selection of works by Gauguin and the Post-Impressionists. The vivid expressionism of Kandinsky, Nolde, and Kirchner is also well represented. Further displays include a comprehensive array of Dutch paintings from the 17th century, spanning various genres, as well as splendid 19th-century American landscapes. Van Gogh's contributions are particularly striking, including his captivating and final work, "Les Vessenots". The expressionist movement is further showcased with George Grosz's apocalyptic masterpiece, "Metropolis".

On the ground floor, the collection encompasses art from the early 20th century. Noteworthy works from the Cubist movement by Picasso, Braque, and Mondrian can be found within the "experimental avant-garde" section. Miró, Pollock, and Chagall are also featured, capturing the viewer's attention. Surrealism is well represented by Dalí, while the final galleries showcase captivating pieces by Bacon, Lichtenstein, and Freud.

Why You Should Visit:
A very cozy, relaxing, interesting and well-organized gallery, with all great pieces commented by an outstanding audio guide.
You can get close and examine the techniques used, take photos of your favourite works, or just admire them.
The artwork is more varied than in the Prado – there are more artists/styles represented, and something to suit all tastes.
Good cafe/restaurant for either coffee, snack or lunch – you can either sit inside or outside in the courtyard.

Tip:
On Mondays, be sure to prioritize the temporary exhibitions located on the top floors, as they close at 1pm. Otherwise, you can choose to begin your visit on the top floor and make your way down or vice versa if contemporary art is more to your liking. Don't forget to bring your earphones along so you can enjoy the audio guide and immerse yourself in the artwork.