Everything you need to know to visit the Prado Museum in Madrid | 23 MAY

The Prado Museum is one of the best art galleries globally, with a collection that spans from the 16th to the 19th century, unique in the world. The sheer size of this museum can make it overwhelming for visitors, and it's easy to miss some artworks or find yourself wandering around if you don't plan your visit well. Stay to find out how to visit the Prado Museum without headaches.

What essential artworks are in the Prado Museum?

The Prado Museum's collection is very extensive, focused on specific artists, housing many works by each of them. This museum has the most comprehensive collections of painting by artists such as El Bosco, Tiziano, El Greco, Rubens, Velázquez, and Goya, in the case of some even exceeding one hundred paintings. Let's take a look at some of the most essential pieces in his collection:

Triptych of the Garden of Earthly Delights

by El Bosco, year 1490-1500

This painting, divided into three sections, is one of Bosch's most representative and, at the same time, most enigmatic works. Each of these sections represents, from left to right, the Creation, a false Paradise, and Hell.

Las Meninas

by Diego Velázquez, year 1656

It is one of the painter's most significant works. The complex and detailed composition stands out, clear while full of symbols and hidden meanings at first glance.

Los fusilamientos

by Francisco de Goya, year 1814

In this painting, Goya represents one of the most tragic events of the Spanish War of Independence, the executions of May 3, 1808, on the hill of Príncipe Pío, in Madrid.

These three are just some of the dozens masterpieces that you will find on your visit to the Prado Museum. If you want to explore the history, details, and symbols of the paintings in-depth, we recommend visiting with a guide by your side.

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How to get to the Prado Museum?

The location of the museum leaves it very well connected to all areas of Madrid, so you have a wide variety of options to get there:

• By train: Atocha station is only 800m from the museum. All of Madrid's commuter lines pass through this station, connecting with the outside world and the outskirts of Madrid, making it an excellent option for getting to the museum.
• By metro (Line 1): the Atocha-Estación del Arte stop is a 7-minute walk from the museum. You can get off here from Metro Line 1, which connects to much of the city. If you prefer to save yourself the walk from the stop to the museum, bus line 37 will take you from the metro to Puerta del Prado.
• By metro (Line 2): Alternatively, if Metro Line 1 is not close to you, Line 2 can leave you at the Banco de España stop, 10 minutes from the Prado. Bus line 27 can save you this walk from the subway to the museum if you wish.
• By bus: There are many bus lines that will leave you right in front of or a few meters from the museum: 10, 27, 34, 45, and 146.

When can I visit the Prado Museum?

The museum has two hours: a regular one (which requires admission) and a free access one. You can enter utterly free during free hours, but the queues that form are usually kilometers long and last several hours.

Regular hours:

• Monday-Saturday: from 10 to 20 h
• Sundays and festivities: from 10 to 19 h

Free hours:

• Monday-Saturday: from 18 to 20 h
• Sundays and festivities: from 17 to 19 h

The museum can be accessed up to 30 minutes before closing time, but it is advisable to do so well in advance as a whole visit lasts several hours. If you want to know which exhibitions will be available on the day of your visit, you can check the official website.

Visit the most important art museum in Europe

The Prado Museum is widely considered one of the most important art museums globally. It has a priceless collection that houses hundreds of masterpieces painted by some of the most influential figures in the history of European art, such as Goya, Velázquez, and El Greco.

It is easy to feel lost before such a dense collection, so if you want to know in-depth the stories and symbols of this incredible art gallery, we recommend you to visit the Prado Museum with our best guides, who will make your visit an unforgettable experience.

 Prado Museum Tours Madrid