The Museo del Prado is one of the most famous art museums in the world and easily one of the best museums in Madrid. But before you go, it helps to know what to expect and how to plan your visit so you can make the most of your time there.
In this guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know before visiting the Prado Museum Madrid. Including ticket prices, how to get there, what you can see inside, and the best things not to miss. We’ll also cover helpful tips for visiting and the best times to go, so you can enjoy the Museo del Prado without feeling overwhelmed and make the most of your time at one of the top museums in Madrid.
National Prado Museum Madrid – How to Get There
By Metro
The easiest stop for the Prado is Banco de España (Line 2, red line), which is about a five-minute walk from the main entrance. Many people accidentally get off at Estación del Arte near Atocha station instead.
While it’s not dramatically farther away, it does leave you on the opposite side of where you actually need to enter, which can be a bit confusing if it’s your first visit. To keep things simple, Banco de España is usually the best stop to use.
Check out our list of hotels in Madrid for every budget here!
By free electric bus
By free electric bus: Madrid also runs a free electric bus (Line 001) that stops close to the Prado Museum, making it a great alternative if you’d rather avoid the metro. It’s an easy and budget-friendly way to get there. (If you want a full breakdown of using public transport in the city, we share all our tips in our post on how to get around Madrid on a budget.)
How to Buy Tickets (& How Much Does it Cost?)
You can buy your tickets in two ways:
Online (recommended): This is the easiest option and saves you time waiting in line when you arrive.
At the entrance: Tickets are also sold on-site, but queues can get quite long, especially during busy times of the day and peak season.
Ticket prices:
Standard entry: 15€
Entry + audio guide: 20€ (highly recommended if you want more context while exploring)
Which Entrance Should I Use?
• If you don’t have tickets yet: Head to Puerta de Goya, where the ticket office is located.
• If you already bought tickets online: Go straight to Puerta de los Jerónimos, which is the entrance for pre-booked tickets. This entrance is around the corner from the
Quick tip from experience: we actually arrived about 10 minutes late because we couldn’t find the right entrance at first. Thankfully, they still let us in. So either we caught them on a good day, or they’re fairly relaxed about a little lateness!
Best Time to Visit the Prado Museum
Want to avoid the crowds? Here are the best times to visit:
- Go right when the museum opens in the morning
- Visit later in the afternoon
- Tuesdays to Thursdays tend to be the quietest days
Weekends are usually very busy, so expect larger crowds
Can you visit the Prado Museum for free? Yes, but there’s a small catch.
Free entry times:
• Monday to Saturday: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Sundays & public holidays: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Just keep in mind that these free hours are very popular, so lines can get quite long. If you’d rather avoid waiting and have more time to explore, it’s usually worth buying a ticket instead.
Tips for Exploring the Museum
1. Pick up the right map
As soon as you walk in, grab a museum map. It’ll make navigating much easier and stop you from wandering around without a plan. Just make sure it’s in the correct language. We somehow picked up Portuguese and German versions because they were sitting in the wrong place… so definitely double-check before you walk off!
2. Get the audio guide
The Prado isn’t huge like the Louvre, but it can still feel a bit confusing once you’re inside. The audio guide makes a big difference and is well worth it. It includes ready-made routes depending on how much time you have:
- a 1-hour route.
- a 2-hour route
- or a full museum tour. And it shares interesting background and stories you won’t see written on the display signs.
Must-see paintings in the Prado Museum
Ground floor:
The Garden of Earthly Delights – Bosch: A must-see if you enjoy surreal and imaginative art.
First floor:
Las Meninas – Velázquez: Probably the most famous painting in the Prado.
Goya’s works: Don’t miss La Maja Desnuda.
Rubens’ masterpieces: Stunning examples of his talent and Flemish Baroque style.
It depicts Luis María de Borbón y Vallabriga, the 14th Count of Chinchón, who was a cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo.
The original painting is housed in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Spain.
Luis María was the son of Infante Luis of Spain and María Teresa de Vallabriga.
SUPER IMPORTANT: NO PHOTOS OR VIDEOS ALLOWED!
We learned this the hard way. The guards take this rule very seriously. At first, we didn’t realize and took a few clips, but quickly got stopped. To avoid any issues, it’s best to just put your camera away and keep walking so the guards don’t have to hover over you.
Final thoughts: Is the Prado Museum worth visiting?
Absolutely! We spent around three hours exploring and loved every minute. The museum is full of incredible masterpieces, and the audio guide really brings the art to life.
Funny enough, even though we’ve lived in Madrid for years, this was our first visit. Don’t make the same mistake. Make sure the Prado is on your Madrid itinerary!
If you want to make the most of your day, we also put together a full one-day Madrid itinerary (for FREE) that includes the Prado Museum, plus where to eat for breakfast nearby, lunch, and dinner. We also cover other must-do activities and sights in the city, so you can see the highlights without missing anything. It’s simple, easy to follow, and packed with practical tips to help you plan a smooth, fun, and unforgettable day in Madrid.
Related Reads You’ll Love…
We have layed out the perfect 1-day itinerary in Madrid for you, including a visit to the Prado Museum, so definitely give that a read to plan your day the best way possible.
If you’re looking for the best places to dine in Madrid, you’ll love our post where we share our favorite cafés and restaurants in Madrid, from breakfast all the way to dinner and drinks. Plus, we include a pinned map with over 80 spots. Unsure about dining etiquette and culture in Madrid? Read about the top 9 mistakes tourists make when eating out in Madrid!
If you’re planning your first trip to Madrid, in our Madrid 101 post we’re giving you everything you need to know before your trip. From when to visit, where to eat, how to get around, where to stay, budget hacks, tips on local customs, and even a secret day trip at the end you might not have thought of!
Learn how to move around Madrid to travel confidently during your next trip by following our complete step-by-step guide to using public transport in Madrid.
Sing up for our weekly newsletter and get a FREE Packing List Template!
Where to Stay in Madrid (Hotels for Every Budget)
If you’re feeling splurgy…
- The Ritz Mandarin Oriental Located next to the Museo del Prado. The closest metro station is Banco de España.
- The Four Seasons Madrid This hotel isright in the heart of Madrid. The closest metro stations are Sevilla and Sol.
- Gran Hotel Inglés Madrid Located in El Barrio de las Letras, just a 5-10 min walk from Sol metro station.
- Gran Meliá Fénix This hotel is right next to the Plaza de Colón Christmas Market. It is located very close to Retiro Park and Puerta de Alcalá (10 min walk away).
- Riu Plaza España Madrid This hotel is the iconic tall building towering over the Plaza de España. The closest metro stop is Plaza de España.
- Rosewood Villa Magna The closest metro stop is Serrano.
- Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid The closest metro stop is Retiro.
Some not so splurgy (medium budget options)…
- Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid Located between Plaza de Colón (Colón metro station), Chueca metro station and Fuente de Cibeles (Banco de España metro station).
- H10 Madrid Hotel. Closest metro station is Gran Vía.
- The Dear Hotel located on the corner of Gran Vía and Calle de los Reyes. The closest metro station is Plaza de España, or Santo Domingo which is 4 mins away by foot.
- NH Collection Hotels Madrid The closest metro station is Gran Vía.
- Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado The closest metro station is Estación del Arte.
- Barceló Torre de Madrid The closest metro station is Plaza de España.
- Hotel Atlántico The closest metro station are Callao or Gran Vía.
- Petit Palace Plaza del Carmen The closest metro station are Gran Vía, Sol or Callao.
- Emperador The closest metro station is Santo Domingo.
- Sercotel Gran Hotel Conde Duque The closest metro station is San Bernardo.
Budget-friendly hotels in Madrid
- Sercotel Alcalá 611 The closest metro station is Canillejas.
- Eurostars i-hotel Madrid The closest metro station is Colonia Jardín.
- Exe Getafe The closest metro station is Getafe Central.
- NH Alcorcón The closest metro station is Parque Oeste.
- Be Casa – San Sebastian de los Reyes The closest metro station is Hospital Infanta Sofía.
- Eurostars Madrid Foro The closest train station is the Tres Cantos Cercanías Renfe line. Keep in mind, this hotel is accessible, but not on the metro line, which can make a traveling quite inconvenient.
Leave a Reply