Museo ICO
Free museum of the ICO Foundation dedicated to architecture and urban planning, with three temporary exhibitions a year.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The rooms of the Museo ICO opened on 28 March 1996. At first they showed the collections of the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (Official Credit Institute), a representative set of 20th-century Spanish art.
In 2012 the museum changed direction: noticing the absence in Spain of a national reference centre on architecture and urban planning, it decided to focus on these disciplines as a form of art. Since then it has presented exhibitions on major figures, schools and currents of contemporary architecture, on the role of architecture in facing challenges such as sustainable cities, climate action, and health and wellbeing, and on architecture and urban planning seen through photography.
Its activity revolves around three temporary exhibitions a year, accompanied by educational activities for children and young people and guided visits for adults. In recent years the museum has also strengthened its commitment to cultural rights and adapted its rooms to be more inclusive and accessible. The ICO Collections are not permanently shown in the galleries; instead they are circulated on loan to numerous institutions.
Highlights
- Exhibitions on architecture, urban planning and architectural photography
- Three temporary exhibitions a year
- Free admission
- Guided visits and educational activities for families, young people and adults
- Materials in easy-read format and activities with sign language interpretation
- Founded
- 1996
- Operated by
- Fundación ICO
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Visiting the museum and taking part in its activities is free. Guided visits and educational activities require booking a place on the museum's website.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
The museum presents itself as a fully accessible space. It has induction loops and magnetic loops, easy-read leaflets and material adapted to sign language. Activities for adults with a Spanish Sign Language interpreter are offered (booking by email or telephone). Only accredited guide dogs or assistance dogs are admitted as animals.
Kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The educational programme includes activities for school pupils and families, as well as proposals for young people and a summer programme; some are accessible for people with disabilities. A community of families with children with autism spectrum disorder (TEA), Empower Parents, is linked to the museum.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Metro Sevilla / Banco de España
Metro: Sevilla and Banco de España stations (line 2). EMT buses: 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 20, 27, 37, 41, 51, 52, 53, 74, 146 and 150. Train: Atocha, Sol and Recoletos stations. BiciMAD: station at Calle de Alcalá, 27.
By car
Parking available
Public car park in Plaza de las Cortes and on Calle Sevilla.
The museum is behind the Congreso de los Diputados (Congress of Deputies), near the Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Neptuno.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
Free cloakroom and free wifi for visitors. Eating and drinking in the galleries is not permitted.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photographs and videos without flash are permitted. |
| Good to know | There are guided visits and visits with your own guide, both booked in advance at entradas.fundacionico.es. Bags or parcels larger than 35 cm × 35 cm, umbrellas (other than folding ones), skates, skateboards and electric scooters are not permitted. A certain distance must be kept from the works, and they must not be touched. |
