Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum Accessibility Guide

Overview

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza completes Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art" alongside the Prado and Reina Sofia. Housed in the Palacio de Villahermosa on Paseo del Prado, the museum holds nearly 1,000 works spanning eight centuries, from medieval religious art to American pop art. Artists include Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, Hopper, and Rothko. The Thyssen-Bornemisza earns a "Fully Accessible" rating. It was the first museum in Madrid and the third in Spain to receive the AENOR Universal Accessibility Certificate, meaning it meets the highest standards for physical, sensory, and cognitive accessibility.

Getting There

• Metro: Banco de Espana station (Line 2) is the closest stop, about 300 meters from the museum entrance. The station has elevator access.
• Bus: Lines 1, 2, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 34, 37, and 45 stop along Paseo del Prado near the museum. All Madrid city buses are low-floor with boarding ramps.
• Approach: From Banco de Espana station, head south along Paseo del Prado. The sidewalk is wide, flat, and has dropped curbs. The museum is on the west side of the boulevard.

Wheelchair Accessibility

• The main entrance is fully step-free. No architectural barriers exist in any rooms displaying the permanent collection or temporary exhibitions.
• Elevators connect all exhibition floors. They are spacious and accommodate power wheelchairs.
• Gallery floors are smooth and level throughout. Doorways are wide and unobstructed.
• Free wheelchair loan is available at the information desk. An electric scooter is also available free of charge, subject to availability. No advance reservation is required for either.
• Cane chairs (portable folding seats) and baby strollers are also available for free.

Accessible Toilets

Accessible toilets are available on multiple floors of the museum. They are equipped with grab rails, emergency pull cords, and sufficient turning space. The facilities are well-maintained and clearly signed from the main exhibition corridors.

Tips for Visitors with Disabilities

• The museum is organized chronologically from top to bottom. Start on the top floor (medieval and early Renaissance) and work your way down to contemporary art on the ground floor. Elevators make this easy.
• Hearing loops are installed at the information desks, ticket office, audio guide counter, gift shop, and coat check. Hearing aid users should switch to the T-coil setting.
• Sign language guides with subtitles in Spanish Sign Language are available.
• The free Monday visiting hours (12:00-4:00pm) can be busy. For a quieter experience, visit on a weekday morning.
• The museum restaurant on the ground floor is wheelchair accessible and serves a reasonably priced lunch menu.
• For the full "Golden Triangle" experience, the Prado and Reina Sofia are both within a 10-minute roll along Paseo del Prado, a flat, wide boulevard. All three museums offer free entry for disabled visitors.
• Contact the museum at +34 917 911 370 for specific accessibility questions before your visit.