Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales
CSIC museum in the Palacio de la Industria y las Artes, with collections on biodiversity, minerals, fossils and the Real Gabinete de Historia Natural.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum goes back to 1771, when Charles III founded the Real Gabinete de Historia Natural from the collection of Pedro Franco Dávila. Its first seat was the Palacio de Goyeneche, on Calle de Alcalá, where it opened to the public in 1776. In 1895 it moved to the Palacio de Biblioteca y Museos Nacionales, today the seat of the Biblioteca Nacional.
The move to the former Palacio de la Industria y de las Artes, on the Paseo de la Castellana, began in 1907 and was completed in 1910; in 1913 it adopted its current name. In 1939 it became part of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and, after a period of crisis, was restructured in 1984–1985.
The collections bring together around eleven million specimens, with some 41,000 type specimens and 22 scientific collections. Among the historic pieces are the megatherium skeleton, mounted in 1788, and the replica of Diplodocus carnegii installed in 1913. The permanent display includes “Biodiversidad”; “Minerales, fósiles y evolución humana”; the Real Gabinete de Historia Natural; the scientific expedition to the Pacific; and an educational garden of the Mediterranean forest.
Highlights
- Megatherium skeleton mounted in 1788
- Replica of Diplodocus carnegii
- “Biodiversidad” exhibition
- “Minerales, fósiles y evolución humana”
- Real Gabinete de Historia Natural
- Exhibition on Santiago Ramón y Cajal
Permanent exhibitions
- Biodiversidad – Permanent exhibition on the diversity of life on the ground floor of the Biology building.
- Minerales, fósiles y evolución humana – Permanent exhibition on minerals, fossils and the origin of humankind on the first floor.
- El Real Gabinete de Historia Natural – Permanent exhibition in the basement on the historical origins of the museum's collections.
- Founded
- 1771
- Operated by
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 500,000
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50Students aged 18–25, unemployed people, holders of the Carné Joven and children aged 4 to 18. |
| Children & teens | €3.50free up to age 3 · Free admission for under-4s; aged 4 to 18, reduced admission. |
| Seniors | freeFree admission for over-65s, with accreditation. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission with a disability certificate of 33% or more, which includes one companion. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50Reduced admission for students aged 18–25. |
| Families | freeFree admission for large and single-parent families. |
Free admission: Free admission on Tuesdays from 15:00 to 17:00 and on Sundays from 18:30 to 20:00, with free online tickets until capacity is reached; not offered from 1 July to 14 September or in August.
With accreditation, admission is also free for staff of the MNCN and CSIC, members of the Sociedad de Amigos del Museo and FEAM, ICOM, teachers, official guides and accredited journalists. Discounts and free admission cannot be combined. Online tickets carry a fixed entry time and are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
Both buildings (Biology and Geology) have ramps at the main entrances, lifts and adapted toilets; a wheelchair can be borrowed in the Biology building. There are induction loops at the information points and ticket offices, touch stations with 3D models and Braille signage, a raised-relief plan of the museum, easy-read guides and the guide “Ciencia Signada”. Accessibility contact: accesibilidad@mncn.csic.es.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | free · Free admission for large and single-parent families. |
- Family tours & workshops
The programme includes activities for children aged 0 to 4 and for families, the summer camp and the “Cumple con la ciencia” offer. The price of activities includes museum admission.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Gregorio Marañón
Metro: Gregorio Marañón and Nuevos Ministerios. Train: Nuevos Ministerios station. Buses: lines 7, 12, 14, 27, 40, 45, 147 and 150.
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
Only visitors with an accredited vehicle and reduced mobility may park in the museum car park.
Other visitors may enter by car only to drop off passengers, after alerting the entrance intercom, but may not leave the vehicle.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Bags and suitcases can be left in the cloakroom, depending on available space. The website also mentions a museum shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Under-14s must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets, scooters, skateboards and bicycles (including folded ones) are not allowed. Drawing in sketchbooks is permitted from Tuesday to Friday during opening hours. Well-behaved dogs are admitted under the conditions published by the museum. |
