The Museum of the Americas is a fascinating museum dedicated to the early history of North and South America. Despite its low entrance fee, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the exhibits. The collection is impressive and appeals to both history enthusiasts and casual visitors. Even during the peak season, there were very few people, allowing for a more intimate experience. However, it is important to note that all signs and information are in Spanish, so having a translation app, like Google Translate, is helpful. The museum offers free admission on Sundays and late on Thursdays, making it even more accessible. Downloading the audio track from their website is recommended, although the organization of the audio tour could be clearer. Overall, it is an excellent museum, although it may not be the top choice for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of Spanish history or the empire. The museum does have some outdated displays and interpretations, but it still offers an interesting collection of artifacts. There are a few points of improvement, such as providing English translations and updating the labels and descriptions to be more culturally sensitive. Despite these flaws, the museum is still worth a visit, especially for those interested in the history and culture of the Americas.
Address:
Avenida de los Reyes Católicos, 6, Madrid
Phone:
+34 915 49 26 41
21.07.23
Julia
This museum was really good!
Considering it's low entrance fee(4 or 5€) and really "ancient" website I was afraid that it's not worth the tour. And so wrong I was! I only had two hours and regretted deeply that I didn't .. Read more »make more time for it and it was closing.
Amazing collection, even for those who are not history geeks. Also, very few people, even though it's highest season (July).
Bevare that all of the signs and information are in Spanish, and lots of it is really interesting, so make sure you have Google translate app with you, so that you can take pics and translate.
I will definitely come back!
12.07.23
Dennis
This is a really cool museum dedicated to an early history of the North and South America. Anything from post-Ice-age archeological discoveries to the Columbus times.
Advice - come on Sunday, or late on Thursday to get a free admission. Also downloa.. Read more »d the audio track from their website and listen it from your smartphone - bring your own headphones with you. (See in the description for the website.)
The reason I took away one star is two fold:
1. Even though this is a museum dedicated to the history of the Americas, all their inscriptions for exhibits are exclusively in Spanish. They clearly didn't think about American tourists.
2. The audio track (although it is available in English) it is somewhat confusing - where to start listening and how is it connected to each room. That part needs to be more clear.
Otherwise it's an excellent museum.
29.06.23
alex
I have to say I was disappointed, but I visited this near the end of my trip. A nice collection of artifacts form the Americas. However the displays (and interpretations) are outdated. I would say visit here first if you know nothing about Spanish hi.. Read more »story or the empire. But then visit the national archeological (M.A.N.) and anthropological and history museums... a little more up to date.
25.05.23
Arthur
Very interesting museum to say the least. Didn’t really contextualize pieces, and everything was in Spanish (which was fine). Lot of strange pieces regarding race and Latin America. Probably not a top museum destination if you’re visiting.. Read more » Madrid.
23.02.23
Marcus
Many nice artifacts. The timelines of migrations, cultures, explorations, conquests, and colonization is well represented. The displays are well done. The building and staff are pleasant.
I would give this museum a higher rating except that for all i.. Read more »t gives, it still misses out on a very important historical lesson. There are many paintings of the very racist caste system in the Americas during the colonial period. It has many paintings showing the labels a child has depending upon the portions of their ethnic background from European, African, and indigenous. A contextual label regarding this ridiculous obsession being something our society has outgrown would be very helpful. Additionally, labelling so many items as "Indio" instead of indigenous is very outdated and a bit racist. I am sure thousands of schoolchildren come here on school field trips. Updating a few of the placards to these items can only be positive in the education of people.
09.02.23
Dušan
I didn’t expect so many artefacts from mezoamerica. Museum is huge so take your time. During summer is good to relax in garden.
If you want free entry, ask in tourist point when to visit museum for free, they will tell you everything.
10.01.23
Zixiang
This is a museum that should not be on your top visit list in Madrid, simply because the number of exhibits are in a small scale.
Dissatisfied points:
1. The interior exhibition language is Spanish-only. There is no audio guide avalible. You may ha.. Read more »ve to download the touring APP via the QR code at the front gate.
2. The exhibit objects are relatively normal without any highlights. Many exhibited objects and knowledge are very basic; you can simply learn them from Google.
Satisfied points:
1. The ticket is free.
2. Nice staffs
04.09.22
Othilia
Fabulous! I had one of the best guided tours by Magdalena, a charming very knowledgeable person who explained lots of extremely interesting aspects about five different indigenous women's culture. Honouring the International Day of the Indigenou.. Read more »s Women.
01.09.22
No
Perfect. My favorite museum of all Madrid. This one has a deep significance and cultivate the locals and the tourists who need to see the story of the inhabitants of the American continent. Long ago before the Spanish, the French, the Portuguese and .. Read more »the British came to upheld everything in America. I loved to discover all the population culture. It's very well presented and provide the necessary information to understand everything. All of that for free each Sunday. What could we ask more ?
22.06.22
Alex
I had visited this museum a few years back and there was a lot more about the nasty bits the Spaniards did to the natives. Looks like that was mostly removed. Also, no English translation, which narrows the audience. Still, I think it is worth a visi.. Read more »t for an hour or two.
21.06.22
Maya
Free for students, so many exhibits for different themes separated by north and south america, two floors with several rooms each. informative and artistic. must see. shrunken heads were my favorite.
05.06.22
Marius
Very interesting museum covering the pre and post colonisation cultures of the Americas. Lots of useful background information about the local people, coupled with artefacts, maps and cultural insights. It's an underrated museum in my view, the .. Read more »info here is well presented, and it's not crowded, allowing you to sip in the knowledge at your own pace.
06.01.22
Xanti
A very interesting museum, not in the center of the city but easy to reach by public transport. Several priceless objects to admire, with a broad scope of North, Central and South America
24.11.21
Ed
There is a lot here. I went twice. Once for each floor. Otherwise, for me, it was too much for one go
Amazing and extensive collection. Esp, for me, the wax figurines on the upper floor
Quite an extemporaneous mix of European-influence religious ar.. Read more »t and native , non-Christian works
20.10.21
Chris
Great museum. The only downside is that there is only information in Spanish. Normally there is an English translation in most museums. As my Spanish is only okay and I'm nowhere near fluent I didn't understand everything clearly, which rui.. Read more »ned the experience slightly, which is why I couldn't give it 5 stars
29.08.21
David
For such a magnificent museum displaying artefacts from many different parts of the world, it’s very unfortunate that there isn’t – like other museums in Spain and other non-English speaking countries - information written in Englis.. Read more »h alongside the Spanish descriptions.
Fascinating place that I would send the whole day if information was available to understand/ learn more. ????
18.08.21
Jamie
Huge array of artefacts to look at with lots of contextually material, but unfortunately only in Spanish. There's an English guide you can download but I couldn't make it work on my phone.
The displays are organised into thoughtful themes a.. Read more »nd there are some pretty amazing things to see, like shrunken human heads and a Peruvian mummy as well as incredible gold objects, tapestries woven from feathers. A really amazing visit and free till the end of September.
13.08.21
David
Nothing spectacular. The Mayan codices they have on display are only copies (which you can buy in the gift shop for a few thousand euros.) Very good for comparing the different types of ceramics from the region's people. Lovely feather cape from.. Read more » Vancouver was one of my favourites.
01.07.21
Denys
It's a bit far, but really worth it, if you are interested in the Spanish ex colonials! You can find there authentic sculptures and things brought from the American continents and preserved in very good conditions. I find very interesting origin.. Read more »als of maps and early cartography of the Americas, as well as reconstructions of indian houses
29.06.21
Brice
Wonderful museum with incredible pieces.
It should be much more promoted.
If you comme to Madrid for a short or a long stay it’s definitely a place where you should go.
03.06.21
Ester
Very nice museum, quiet, good explained and good items. A good option to came back and discover the New Land ?
07.05.21
Ankur
Very well maintained Meuseum. Detailed, knowledge and learning about Americas and its connection to Spain. Can be fine on 2 to 3 hours, but if you are interested in details 6 to 7 hours is still short. Good for children.
25.04.21
Daniel
The musuem treads lightly on the matter of colonialism, it presents exhibitions by regions yet the artifacts come from some countries that barely represent the region, and what is more - the Museum showcases some pictures that are clearly offensive t.. Read more »o Latin American communities. I reached out to them to ask why and they said they did not believe said pictures were racist.
21.03.21
Ramona
We were really looking forward to visiting this museum, unfortunately it's not a good museum for anyone who doesn't speak Spanish. There is no information in English (or any other language). You can go on a website to listen to a couple of .. Read more »audio guides for the entire museum but the website is only in Spanish! There are buttons in certain areas to press for visual presentations but they didn't work. Also, the displays are not child friendly, as all the little notes for the historical items are written up high and in a small italic font. In addition, some objects were enclosed in cupboards with distorted glass in front, so you couldn't see the objects clearly. There are so many incredible items in this location and it's full of history, however, you'll walk out learning nothing if you don't speak Spanish.
17.02.21
Andreas
Somewhat disappointing. The collection is organized according to loose themes which puts together items that are thousands of years and kilometers apart. The very first sentence of the exhibition saying the first descriptions of the Americas were spr.. Read more »ead in 1493 shows a fairly unreconstructed colonial mindset. No critical discussion of colonialism and unfortunately very little insight into the various cultures. Instead we get vague generalising anthropological statements summarizing vastly different cultures. It all feels a bit old-fashioned.
06.01.21
Harsh
Good to learn about Latin America but the collection is not vast!
26.07.20
Bruno
Museum with a lot of history about the new continent. It is worth visiting at least once
25.07.20
Alex
Good museum with a very interesting collection. Takes about 2 hours to finish if you don't linger too much. Text is only in spanish but with the google translator app and its camera function I understood everything.
10.05.20
emmanouil
it's worthly to visit that museum to see history from indians latin american and cetral american. They offer an extensive collection from maya and inca empire and of course the spanish when they went to explore this continent.
27.03.20
Chris
It's a shame that the items found here aren't in their respective countries, but at least they are safe and taken care of. A bit out of the way, but worth it. You can easily spend a fu day here admiring and appreciating everything. I just w.. Read more »ished that they would include information on the devestating consequences of colinization.
07.02.20
macedonboy
As other reviewers have mentioned, this museum is really oriented toward the average tourist mainly because much of the information, actually the vast majority of it is in Spanish only. I did wonder if there was an audio guide for non speakings, but .. Read more »it was never offered to me at reception. The staff did give me a sheet with a map of the museum and a route that was something akin to a highlights tour of the museum
I love history and art, so the visit was still enjoyable. Some of the artefact on display are lovingly exhibited like any great museum. Some stand out examples includethe paintings depicting the Spanish conquest of the Americas, the Tro-Cortesian Mayan codex, the decorative gold jewellery from Mesoamerica. Funnily enough, the museum isn't just about the Americas, there's a small oriental connection as well as a fascinating collection of masks from Australasia.
The Museo de America is a fantastic museum. Pity there's no english and it's hard to place items in context when there's no explanation, otherwise I'd give it a higher score.
10.12.19
Nicholas
Cheap museum in a beautiful building. Only English translations are in the temporary exhibits, but the visuals alone are worth the 3 Euros admission price. Absolutely recommend! Can be seen in two hours or so, but you can spend more time there if you.. Read more » speak Spanish.
4.2 / 58
