Prado Museum
Prado Museum
Last updated 2026-10-29
By Global Travel Guide Editorial Team
Introduction
The museum is large but manageable if you pick two or three painters; the ground floor holds the Goyas, and Las Meninas has its own room. Free entry runs in the evening, but queues form early. It is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Metro L2 to Banco de España is a five-minute walk; Atocha station is 10 minutes on foot. Allow at least three hours.
Ticket Price
Adult EUR 15 (≈ USD 17); free Mon-Sat 18:00-20:00 and Sun/holidays 17:00-19:00.
Opening Hours
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (standard). Some museums stay open late one evening per week (until 8-9 PM). Closed Mondays (most locations). Closed on major holidays. Last entry 45-60 min before closing.
Transportation
Metro L2 to Banco de España, then a 5-minute walk; Atocha station is 10 minutes on foot.
Best Season
In Spain, Apr-Jun and Sep-Oct are warm and pleasant; Jul-Aug is busy and hot. Indoor collections can be visited year-round; weekday mornings are quietest.
Pro Tip: Book a timed ticket and start with the highlights
Local Tips You'd Only Learn After Visiting
The details official guides skip — save time, avoid crowds, and get better photos.
1
Book a timed ticket and start with the highlights The Prado is large, so choose two or three painters rather than trying to see everything. Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's Black Paintings and the Bosch room are the usual priorities.
Member-Only Tips
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Frequently Asked Questions3 questions
Start with Velázquez's Las Meninas (Room 12), then Goya's Black Paintings and Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights. The museum is large, so pick three or four artists.
Weekday mornings at opening and the last two hours; weekends and free evening slots are busiest. Avoid midday in summer.
Three hours covers the highlights; a full day is needed for the whole collection. Add the Reina Sofía and Thyssen if you want the full art triangle.