While Spain is globally known for its Prado Museum in Madrid, Bilbao’s Guggenheim, and the Dali Triangle there are still quite a few unique lesser-known museums in Spain that are not as well established on the tourist track. Here are a few unique hidden gems for those looking to explore Spain off the beaten path.

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Best Lesser-known Museums in Spain

Let me share with you the top secret museums in Spain with an authentic local vibe that I’ve absolutely enjoyed myself. For more details, head to my IG Reels – Secret Spanish Museums.

Must-See Secret Museums in Spain

1. Palau de Maricel in Sitges

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Palau de Maricel – one of the coolest secret museums in Spain
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One day in Sitges

One of the most eye-catching hidden museums in Spain is definitely Palau de Maricel, considered one of the biggest gems in the small town of Sitges. I was lucky to visit this place during one of my Barcelona weekend trips, but you can also visit Sitges on the road from Barcelona to Valencia. The coastal town of Sitges is bustling with life on weekends, even in the off-season, and is often called one of the most charming small towns in Spain. Palau de Maricel was once the custom-built mansion of the American millionaire and art collector Charles Deering (1852-1927). Although Deering left his Sitges residence in 1921, taking most of his lavish art collection back to the U.S., this place remains a visual delight for art lovers. The museum is filled with unique decorations. Note that Palau de Maricel is not open daily; you must check the visiting schedule at www.museusdesitges.cat before traveling. You can read more about visiting Sitges in this post.

2. muBBla in Lorca

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muBBla in Lorca

MuBBla is one of my favorite lesser-known museums in Spain. It is connected to the traditional festivities in Spain and was discovered by accident during my recent trip to the Murcia Region. MuBBla (or Museo de Bordados de Paso Blanco in Spanish) is a unique embroidery museum in Lorca. All the displayed hand-made decorations are used in the annual Biblical Processions of Lorca during the Easter Week festivities, known as La Semana Santa. A museum worker told me that one of the recent creations had five people working on it for almost five years. You can check more videos on my IG Story Murcia.

3. Museu Valencia del Joguet in Ibi

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. Museu Valencia del Joguet in Ibi

The small town of Ibi near Alicante was the center of the Spanish toy manufacturing industry until the 1970s. Ibi can be visited on a day trip from Valencia, Alicante, Benidorm, Gandia, Denia, or Elche. Although globalization led to the closure of local factories in the 1970s, the Museu Valencia del Joguet still serves as a reminder of Ibi’s industrial past with its unique collection of vintage toys from Spain and Europe. Inside the museum, you can see the industrial hall and machinery, traditionally used for local toy production, displayed behind glass. The Museu Valencia del Joguet is one of the smallest hidden museums in Spain, and you can explore it in less than half an hour. Therefore, I recommend combining your visit to Ibi with a trip to Xativa, Bocairente, or the historical Borgia sites. For more tips on landmarks in the region, check out my blog series, Valencia Hidden Gems.

4. Museo de la Alfombra in Tenerife

Orotava secret museums in Spain
Museo de la Alfombra in Orotava

The Museo de la Alfombra (or The Carpets Museum in English) is located in one of the most colorful places in Spain, the small town of Orotava in Tenerife. Every year between May and June, the locals celebrate the holiday of Corpus Christi by decorating their streets and the main town square with carpets made from sand, flowers, and seeds. The museum showcases the process behind these creations. On a smaller scale, a few flower carpets can be seen at The Carpets Museum of Orotava all year round.

5. Museo de la Imprenta y de las Artes Graficas in Puig

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Printing and Graphic Art Museum

The Museo de la Imprenta y de las Artes Gráficas (Printing and Graphic Art Museum in English) is located inside the Santa Maria Royal Monastery in Puig, near Valencia. Not many know that the first paper mill in Europe was established in the Valencia region in 1144. This Printing Museum is filled with ancient editions, wooden presses, and industrial printing machinery. Additionally, the first book ever printed in Spain, Trobes en lahors de la Verge Maria (a collection of 45 poems dedicated to the Virgin Mary), was produced in Valencia in 1474. The Printing Museum is one of Spain’s must-see hidden gems, showcasing the evolution of printing and publishing throughout the country.

6. MACVAC in Vilafames

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MACVAC in Vilafames
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Art at MACVAC

MACVAC (or Museu d’Art Contemporani Vicente Aguilera Cerni) is located inside a 15th-century palace in the village of Vilafamés in the province of Castellon. Despite its ancient walls, the museum’s collection is entirely focused on modern art in Spain. The origins of this hidden Spanish museum date back to 1968, though it officially opened in 1972 with an initial collection of 150 art pieces. One of the most famous Spanish painters, Joan Miró, donated his artwork Golafre to MACVAC.

7. Museo de Ceramica in Manises

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Manises Ceramic Museum
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Manises is one of the top places to learn more about Spanish Ceramics

Manises is a small town near Valencia’s airport and one of the region’s hidden gems. Spain is renowned for its 700-year-old pottery tradition, and Manises was once a key center for Spanish ceramic art. The town’s connection to pottery is so significant that the globally recognized Cevisama ceramic tile exhibition takes place in Valencia every February. The Museo de Cerámica (Museum of Ceramics) was founded in 1967 and currently houses 5,000 ceramic artworks, featuring pieces ranging from 14th-century pottery to modern ceramic creations. You can read more about my visit to Manises in this post.

8. Casa del Arte Mayor de la Seda in Requena

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Casa del Arte Mayor de la Seda in Requena

Another one of the secret museums in Spain is Casa del Arte Mayor de la Seda (or The Requena House Museum of Silk), often visited on any road trip across the Valencia region. I discovered this place by pure accident after visiting the Caves of Requena, a hidden gem near Valencia. The Requena House Museum of Silk is housed inside the former College of High Silk Art, founded in 1725. Requena was one of the silk production centers in Valencia, with raw materials brought from across the region, including neighboring La Ribera and Albacete. The final product was distributed in Valencia, Cadiz, Seville, and even the Americas. Inside the Silk Museum of Requena, you’ll find a recreation of a traditional local house alongside antique factory elements.

9. Museo de Momias in Quinto

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A Museum of Mummies in Spain

To begin with, until my recent road trip to Aragon, I honestly had no idea that there was a museum of mummies in Spain. This Museo de Momias is located in the small town of Quinto, near Zaragoza. Fans of mysterious places in Spain should definitely consider visiting this ancient church museum, which exhibits 15 mummified bodies of adults and children from the 18th century. Not many travelers know that before the 18th century, it was common across Spain to bury the wealthiest people inside churches. People believed this would bring them closer to God in death and allow them to reach paradise faster. While many bones were found inside churches, cathedrals, and monasteries across Spain, finding a complete mummy was rare. These bodies in the church of Quinto were discovered purely by accident during renovation work in 2011. All of them were mummified naturally due to the unique conditions—constant temperature and zero humidity. It is particularly curious that all the adult bodies were between 35 and 40 years old, which was typical life expectancy in Medieval Spain. Even the clothes, shoes, and other personal belongings of the mummies have retained their original appearance. To my surprise, Museo de Momias was also very child-friendly. I suspect they receive visits from local school groups. The guide was so professional that even my 4- and 5-year-old children listened attentively, which has never happened before. As the only museum of mummies in Spain, this place is of great importance to Spanish scientists and historians.

10. Museo de la Moto in Basella

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Museo de la Moto in Basella

While returning home after a weekend in Andorra, we accidentally discovered Museo de la Moto de Basella, or the Basella Motorcycle Museum. Even though I knew little about motorcycle culture and history, the extensive collection of Spanish and international motorcycles in Basella impressed me. If you’re a fan of two wheels, this museum should be a must-stop on every Pyrenees road trip. You can get a quick glimpse of the Basella Motorcycle Museum via my IG Highlights, Secret Spanish Museums.

11. Museo del Palmito near Valencia

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Museo del Palmito is one of the top hidden gems near Valencia, dedicated to the art of Spanish fans. The museum showcases intricate handmade items and the rich history of this local craft, which has been passed down through generations in the region. You can read more about my visit in this post.

Map of the Lesser-known Museums in Spain

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