November exhibitions in Madrid | From Malasaña

November in Madrid is that odd time when it’s chilly, it rains on and off, and you’re looking for indoor plans… but without spending the whole day cooped up in the hostel. If you’re staying at Adventure Hostel Madrid (Calle del Pez, corner of Malasaña), you’ve got the perfect combo: top-notch art just a short metro ride or walk away.

Chez Matisse at CaixaForum: bold colour, no dullness

If you think museums are all grey walls and dull paintings, this exhibition is here to change your mind. 'Chez Matisse. The Legacy of a New Painting' comes to CaixaForum Madrid from 29 October 2025 to 22 February 2026, exploring Henri Matisse’s career through his works and those of artists who followed in his footsteps throughout the 20th century.

The exhibition delves into how Matisse used colour and composition to transform modern painting, and how his take on domestic interiors (windows, tables, patterns, fabrics) became a touchstone for generations of later artists.

Practical info: general entry is €6, free for CaixaBank customers and under-16s.

Half the World: Indigenous Women of Mexico in the Centre of Madrid

If you’ve already met half of Latin America in your hostel room, this will resonate with you. 'Half the World: Women in Indigenous Mexico' is a huge exhibition project spread across the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Casa de México, and the Instituto Cervantes.

At Casa de México, you can see the section 'The Divine Sphere', with 98 pre-Hispanic pieces (sculptures, ceramics, ritual objects) showcasing the role of women in various indigenous cultures: Mexica, Maya, Zapotec, Mixtec, Wixárika…

Meanwhile, the Museo Arqueológico Nacional hosts a major exhibition with over 450 pieces exploring representations of women in Mexico’s indigenous civilisations, from the Preclassic to the Postclassic periods.

Why is this such a powerful plan?

Bonus: Casa de México offers free entry to this exhibition, making it a great low-cost plan for a rainy afternoon.

Juan Muñoz at the Prado: sculptures in conversation (and you’re the intruder)

The Museo del Prado isn’t just Velázquez and people with impossible collars. This autumn, it hosts 'Juan Muñoz: Stories of Art', an exhibition dedicated to one of the most influential Spanish sculptors of the late 20th century. Running from 18 November 2025 to 8 March 2026, it sets up a dialogue between Muñoz’s works and the Prado’s collection.

What makes Juan Muñoz special?

For hostel guests, it’s a total win:

John Akomfrah at the Thyssen: hearing the rain sound

We’ll finish with a more immersive plan. The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza presents 'John Akomfrah: Listening to the Rain All Night', a multi-screen installation by the British artist, on display from 4 November 2025 to 8 February 2026.

Akomfrah uses multiple video screens, historical archives, landscapes, voices, and music to explore themes like:

More than 'looking at paintings', here you sit and enter an atmosphere. It’s perfect if you enjoy cinema, documentaries, or simply spending some time in a dark space surrounded by images and immersive sound. The good news: the Thyssen has extended opening hours, and general museum entry is free on Monday afternoons thanks to sponsorship (always check their website for updated conditions before you go).

Closing Madrid from within: from bunk bed to museum

If you’ve made it this far, you already know that November in Madrid isn’t just about packed terraces and selfies on Gran Vía. The city is in full museum mode: bold colour at CaixaForum, indigenous Mexico reinterpreted through a female lens, unsettling sculptures at the Prado, and video art that stays with you for days at the Thyssen.

Staying in Malasaña gives you something very simple: you can leave the hostel, see a fantastic exhibition, and be back before most people have decided where to go for dinner. That’s the real advantage of having a base in the centre: you’re not tied to a single plan, you can improvise and fit culture in between a coffee, a nap, and a round of beers.

If you check out any of these exhibitions, let us know at reception or in the common area: there’s always someone looking for plans for the next day. And if you’re still deciding where to stay, remember that from here you’ve got the important stuff within easy reach: Malasaña, nearby metro, and half of Madrid’s cultural scene within a reasonable walk.

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