The Royal Fine Arts Academy contains some first-class artworks. It is worth going in just to see the 13 Goya paintings, not to mention those by the most famous Spanish painters. The fine 18th century building also contains important collection of drawings, and engravings.

The Academy, which taught painting, sculpture, and architecture until 1967, was founded in 1752 during the reign of Fernando V and originally housed in the Palacio Real. It began collecting works by Spanish and foreign artists who were working in Madrid at the time, and later received valuable private legacies.

The collection now comprises more than a thousand works form the 16th to 21st centuries. Only a small fraction is currently exhibited, on the building’s third floor, although there are plans to rearrange and expand the displays.