San Carlos National Museum

The Museo Nacional de San Carlos houses Latin America's oldest and most important collection of European art, spanning the 15th through 19th centuries. Set inside the neoclassical Palace of the Count of Buenavista, the museum itself is a work of architecture — the building's ornate facade and interior galleries are worth the visit on their own.

Five permanent galleries display European paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, with particularly strong holdings in pencil and drawing. Temporary exhibitions rotate throughout the year. Free admission on Sundays, and the museum stays relatively quiet even on weekends, making it easy to spend time with each piece. Paid admission is affordable on weekdays.