The Prado is to Madrid what the Louvre is to Paris, and that means just about every visitor to the Spanish capital makes a stop here. Travelers have plenty of buy-ahead options for touring the collection—everything from a basic entrance ticket or skip-the-line access to a private guided tour. Choose a standard admission ticket or a city pass, which also provides free admission and discounts to other attractions. The museum is often included as a stop on guided city sightseeing tours.
This museum is a must-see for art lovers.
The museum offers a free locker and cloakroom at all entrances.
Nearly the entire museum, with the exception of areas in the Villanueva building, is wheelchair accessible.
If you’re looking for later works of art, Madrid's Reina Sofia Museum features a post-19th-century art collection.
Travelers visiting the Prado Museum independently can get there by taking the metro to Banco de España (Red Line 2) or Atocha (Light Blue Line 1). The latter is about a 10-minute walk from the museum entrance.
As one of Madrid’s most popular attractions, the Prado Museum often has long lines, especially on summer weekends. Lines are much shorter or nonexistent in winter. To beat the crowds, especially during the peak summer season, buy a skip-the-line ticket. You can also plan to arrive a few minutes before the ticket office opens or in the late afternoon, when most crowds have departed and Spaniards are enjoying their afternoon siesta.
In 1785, King Carlos III commissioned the Prado as a natural science museum to accompany the neighboring botanical gardens. When it opened in 1819, however, its purpose had shifted to displaying an extensive art collection gathered by Spanish royals.
