If you’re looking for the best things to do in Madrid that are a little bit different, the Museo de Cera de Madrid (Madrid Wax Museum) needs to be on your list. While it might not have the polished perfection of Madame Tussauds in London, it has something much better: character!
This quirky museum is an institution in the Spanish capital. From Spanish royalty and international politicians to the scary Wax Horror Experience, it’s a fascinating, slightly bizarre and thoroughly entertaining journey through celebrity culture and European history. We spent an afternoon here and were genuinely surprised by how much fun we had exploring the museum.
If you’re wondering if Madrid’s Wax Museum is worth adding to your holiday itinerary, join us as we share our ultimate guide and honest review.
A Quick History of Museo de Cera Madrid
The Madrid Wax Museum first opened its doors in 1972 and it’s been entertaining locals and tourists ever since. The original collection was created by dedicated film set designers, researchers and sculptors who wanted to bring history to life for the public. Over the decades, it’s grown to include over 450 figures spanning multiple floors. They’ve worked hard to capture the essence of different eras with period costumes and elaborate sets. While it seems to’ve proudly retained a lot of its retro charm over the years, it’s also updated its exhibits to include modern movie stars, sporting heroes and the brilliant new horror section.
Top Things To See & Do
The best thing about the Museo de Cera is just how completely random it is. With over 450 figures on display, it’s a total mix of everything you could possibly imagine. Some of the figures are incredibly realistic while others genuinely made us do a double-take! It’s a really fun place to explore for a couple of hours. Here are the distinct bits we enjoyed the most during our visit:
The Wax Horror Experience
This was hands down our favourite part and the main reason you need to visit. We were told about the legendary Tren de Terror (Terror Train) ride which was an indoor ghost train featuring a mix of animatronic dinosaurs, aliens and giant rats, but they completely gutted it and replaced it with the Wax Horror Experience. We absolutely loved the upgrade.
It’s a dark walk-through area heavily themed around classic horror movies. You’ll see figures like Hannibal Lecter, Dracula and The Nun in very atmospheric settings. The best part is the live actors jumping out from the dark shadows! This is the first time in any of the horror experiences we’ve visited (and we’ve been to a lot of them) that Kolyn actually jumped. It’s properly spooky but still great fun, just be warned if you scare easily!
The Spanish Royals & History
The museum’s got a really strong focus on Spanish history which makes it quite educational if you’re into that sort of thing. You’ll find lifelike figures of the current Spanish Royal Family (King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia) as well as legendary historical figures like the Catholic Monarchs, famous writers and Christopher Columbus. The costumes on these older figures are very detailed and give a great visual representation of the Spanish Empire.
Denis was particularly fascinated by the massive bullfighting arena setup featuring famous matadors, although he wasn’t entirely sure why Elizabeth Taylor was standing right there beside them! Whatever you’re into Liz!
Sports Stars & Legends
You can’t visit the Spanish capital without bumping into some football history. The museum’s got a great section dedicated to sporting legends. You’ll spot famous tennis players like Rafa Nadal alongside global football icons like Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s a fantastic spot to grab a photo with the Spanish National Football team figures and celebrate their legendary World Cup wins.
The Meme Figures
Let’s be completely honest, part of the fun of this museum is that not every single figure is a perfect likeness. The museum actually has a bit of an internet reputation for some of its quirkier and more questionable statues. Michael Keaton’s Batman was a bit of a stretch for example!
We had a great laugh trying to guess who some of the older Hollywood stars were before leaning in to read the plaques. It adds a layer of charm that serious art museums like the Prado just down the road haven’t got.
Curious Facts About the Museum
- The museum’s very first figure was the famous explorer Christopher Columbus when it originally opened in 1972.
- It takes several months of work and up to 500,000 individually inserted strands of real human hair to create just one of the wax figures!
- To make the figures as authentic as possible, the museum often uses genuine clothing donated directly by the celebrities or their official sports teams.
- The original figure of Spanish singer Manolo Escobar was so controversial and disliked by the singer himself that the museum literally blew it up with explosives in Casa de Campo and started from scratch!
- The museum is constantly updating its collection and has welcomed over 16 million visitors through its doors since opening.
How To Get to Museo de Cera Madrid
One of the best things about the Museo de Cera is its central location. It’s right on the Plaza de Colón along the Paseo de Recoletos which makes it easy to fit into a busy day of sightseeing.
- By Metro: The museum is right next to the Colón Metro station (Line 4). You literally walk out of the underground station and the entrance is right there.
- By Bus: Lots of bus lines stop directly outside the main doors including lines 5, 14, 27 and 45.
- Walking: If you’re exploring the city centre on foot, it’s an easy walk from major tourist landmarks. For example, it’s about a 10-minute stroll from Puerta de Alcalá or Retiro Park.
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Tickets & Prices
Compared to some of Madrid’s other big-ticket attractions, the Museo de Cera is very reasonably priced. We’ve been told there can be queues at the ticket desk, so we recommend buying your tickets in advance.
We booked our tickets online on GetYourGuide. This saves you a few euros compared to the standard price at the ticket office and guarantees your specific entry slot. Booking ahead is crucial on weekends or during school holidays when the museum can often be completely sold out. Securing your tickets early means you can spend more time enjoying the exhibits and less time standing in a queue.
Opening Times & Best Time to Visit
The Madrid Wax Museum has consistent opening hours throughout the year, but it’s always a good idea to check their official website before you travel, especially around Spanish public holidays like Easter week (when we went). Unlike some smaller Spanish museums, it doesn’t close for a midday siesta.
- Summer (April to Sept): 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Winter (Oct to March): 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
We visited on a weekday afternoon around 4:00 PM and it was perfect. It was quiet enough to take selfies with the figures without anyone judging our poses! If you go on a busy weekend, try to arrive right at opening time (11:00 AM) to beat the crowds for the Horror Experience. We were warned it can get very busy very quickly.
Facilities & Amenities
You’ll find all the basics at the museum like visitor toilets, but there isn’t a cloakroom to leave heavy shopping bags or bulky winter coats. There’s no café either if you’re peckish. There’s also a small gift shop at the exit if you want to pick up a quirky souvenir or have your hand recreated in wax.
Practical Tips for Visiting
- Expected Duration: You’ll need about 90 minutes to two full hours to walk around and see everything at a relaxed pace.
- Audio Guides: You don’t need to rent an audio guide to enjoy the museum. Most of the descriptive plaques have clear English translations. There’s an app too where you can scan QR codes for the info.
- Rules: You’re completely free to take as many photos and videos as you like, but flash photography is strongly discouraged in some of the darker historical sections and the Wax Horror Experience.
- Charge Your Phone: This is definitely a selfie museum. You’ll want to take loads of photos of your favourite figures.
- Don’t Skip the Horror Section: Even if you’re a bit of a scaredy-cat, give the Wax Horror Experience a go. It was the absolute highlight of our trip. We really loved the scares.
- Accessibility: Most of the main museum floor is accessible for wheelchairs and buggies, but check with staff at the entrance about the Horror Experience as it’s very dark with tight corners. Actually, absolutely don’t bring buggies (or small kids!) to the Wax Horror Experience!
What Else is Nearby?
Since the wax museum is located right in Plaza de Colón, you’re standing right in the centre of Madrid’s famous Golden Mile. It doesn’t take all day to visit, so you can easily combine your trip with other top sights in the area:
- National Archaeological Museum: This is literally next door to the wax museum. If you want some serious history after looking at the wax figures, it’s widely considered one of the best museums in Spain.
- Museo del Prado: It’s just a short stroll down the beautiful tree-lined Paseo de Recoletos. If you’re looking for a world-class art experience to contrast with the quirky wax museum, this famous gallery is an absolute must-visit.
- Madrid Hop-on Hop-off Bus: The main starting stop for the Big Bus Sightseeing Tour is right here at Plaza Colón, making it easy to jump on board and head over to the Royal Palace of Madrid next.
The Verdict on Museo de Cera Madrid
So is the Museo de Cera de Madrid actually worth your time and money?
If you want a serious, high-brow art experience: Obviously not! You should definitely go to the Prado or the Reina Sofia instead.
But if you want a fun, light-hearted and slightly weird break from traditional sightseeing: Absolutely.
We went in with relatively low expectations and came out smiling from ear to ear. It’s a wonderfully eccentric place that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The crazy mix of Spanish history, random celebrities and that brilliant new horror section makes it a highly unique stop in Madrid. It’s especially great if the weather is too hot or raining or if you just need a break from the historical museums. Go. You’ll definitely enjoy it!
If you’re looking for other fun things to do in Madrid with kids (or big kids like us!), we also highly recommend checking out the amazing Zoo Aquarium Madrid or hitting the rollercoasters at Parque Warner and Parque de Atracciones.
