National Archaeological Museum (Spain)

The National Archaeological Museum on the Calle de Serrano is Spain's principal collection of antiquities, tracing the peoples who have inhabited the peninsula from prehistory to the early modern age. Founded in 1867 by royal decree and reopened in 2014 after a thorough modernisation, it shares its grand 19th-century building with the National Library on the far side.

Its treasures are among the icons of Spanish heritage. The Lady of Elche, an enigmatic Iberian stone bust with elaborate coiled headdresses, is the museum's signature piece, joined by the seated Lady of Baza and other sculptures of that mysterious pre-Roman culture. The Visigothic votive crowns of the Treasure of Guarrazar, hung with jewels and dangling letters, and richly patterned Roman mosaics fill later galleries.

The collection is broad as well as deep, spanning Egyptian and Greek antiquities, Islamic art from Al-Andalus, medieval Christian sculpture and decorative arts, so that a visit runs through the whole sweep of Mediterranean and Iberian history. Clear, well-lit displays and generous space make it easy to navigate at a comfortable pace.

For visitors the museum charges a modest admission, with free hours at certain times, and sits beside the Plaza de Colón in the smart Salamanca district, close to the shops of Serrano. In the garden outside, a full-scale replica of the painted ceiling of the Altamira cave gives a sense of prehistoric art without the journey north. Allowing a couple of hours does the collection justice. A well-designed children's trail and interactive stations make it engaging for families, and the airy central atrium and café provide a restful break between the densely packed galleries of antiquities.