Visiting the Prado Museum: All the information you need

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Museo del Prado Tickets with Optional Audio Guide

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Museo del Prado Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

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1 hr. 30 min. - 2 hr.

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Museo del Prado & Royal Palace of Madrid Guided Tour

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5 hr.

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Paseo del Arte 3 Museum Pass: Museo del Prado + Thyssen Bornemisza + Reina Sofia Entry Tickets

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Museo del Prado & Reina Sofía Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Tickets

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4 hr. - 4 hr. 30 min.

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Museo del Prado & Royal Palace of Madrid Guided Tour with Transfers

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4 hr.

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Combo (Save 9%): Madrid Panoramic Bus Tour + Paseo del Arte 3 Museum Pass

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Where is the Prado Museum located?

Address: Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain | Find on Google Maps

The Prado Museum is located in Central Madrid, in a place often referred to as the Madrid Triangle of Art. It gets its name from the three museums in this region, the Prado, Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza.

Fun fact: The Madrid Triangle of Art was also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021!

Getting to the Prado Museum

By bus

There are several buses that will get you to the Prado Museum, including bus 001, 10, 14, 27, 34, 37, 54, and C03.

Closest bus stops:
- Museo del Prado - Jardín Botánico (64m)
- Alfonso XII - Jardín Botánico (260m)
- Prado - Atocha (366m)
- Cibeles (626m)

By metro

The two routes that take you to the Prado Museum include 1 and 2.

Closest metro stops:
- Estación del Arte (800m)
- Banco de España (650m)
- Retiro (1.3km)

By train

The different trains that you can take include the C1, C2, C3, C3A, C4, C5, C7, C8, and C10.

Closest train stops:
- Estación de Atocha RENFE (1km)
- Recoletos (1.1km)

Know before you go to the Prado Museum

If you want to soak in the history and art at the Prado Museum at your own pace, your best option is to opt for the Museo del Prado Ticket with Optional Audio Guide.

With the option of an audio guide, you can even take your self-guided exploration of the museum to the next level.

If you don’t want to take the effort researching everything about the museum yourself and would like the expertise of a guide, you’d be better off with a guided tour.

You can choose from several options, such as the Museo del Prado Guided Tour, or even combine a visit to this museum with another attraction, such as the Reina Sofia Museum or the Royal Palace of Madrid.

These tours include the Museo del Prado & Royal Palace of Madrid Guided Tour, the Museo del Prado & Reina Sofia Museum Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Entry, and the Museo del Prado & Royal Palace of Madrid Guided Tour with Transfers.

If you want to make the most of being within the Madrid Triangle of Art as you explore the Prado Museum, you can choose the Paseo del Arte 3 Museum Pass. This gives you access to the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums with a single pass.

You’ll find five entrances to the Prado Museum. These are:

Puerta de Velázquez: This is the main entrance to the museum and is located right in front of the building. It remains open from 10am to 7pm, and should be your go-to if you’ve already booked your tickets beforehand.
Puerta de Jerónimos: Ideal if you want to visit the temporary exhibitions and collections. Preferential treatment is given to those with reduced mobility, baby strollers, ICOM and FAMP members, and American Friends.
Puerta de Goya Alta: Located on the western part of the museum, this entrance has an automated ticket machine, cutting down wait times when compared to entrances with ticket counters.
Puerta de Goya Baja: This entrance is on the museum’s western side and has several ticket counters. However, wait times can reach up to 1.5 hours during the peak season. We recommend booking a guided tour to skip these lines.
Puerta de Murillo: Reserved for school groups visiting the museum.

The Prado Museum doesn’t have parking of its own, but don’t worry, you’ll find several paid parking lots around. Two of these include:

EMT Montalbán: A paid parking lot located just 1km from the Prado Museum.
EMT Recoletos: Another paid parking lot that’s located just 800m from the Prado Museum.
Parking Las Cortes: This lot is located just 350 meters from the museum. Once you park your car, the museum is a mere 3-minute walk away.

Pro tip: Arrive at these parking lots as early as possible, as they can fill up pretty quickly, especially since tourists visiting all three museums will look for parking close by.

The Prado Museum is accessible to wheelchair users or individuals with reduced mobility.
You’ll also find accessible restrooms, elevators, ramps, and platforms at the museum.
The auditorium and ticket counters are also equipped with hearing loops.
Guide dogs are welcome at the museum, subject to presenting relevant documentation.
You’ll find municipal parking spaces for those with disabilities on the Ruiz de Alarcón and Moreto streets.
The museum also facilitates vehicle access for those with mobility issues. You’ll have to request this in advance via email.
The museum also offers wheelchairs and baby seats to use for free.

If the phrase ‘shop till you drop’ resonates with you, you’ll find plenty of options around the Prado Museum to pull out your wallet at.

Prado Shop: A gift shop located within the Prado Museum, you can get books, catalogues, and other products inspired by the museum’s collection.
Primark: This is a great place to find inexpensive clothing. It is just 1.4km from the museum.
Casa Hernanz: A great place to buy affordable espadrilles, light, comfortable shoes that are great for the summer and have a long history native to Spain.
Príncipe Pío: At just 2.8km from the Prado Museum, this metro station also has a shopping center and a theater with plenty to explore.

You can’t be in Madrid and not explore its food scene. Here are a few of the best places you can dine around the Prado Museum:

Café Prado: Located on the ground floor of the Jerónimos Building of the Prado Museum, this café is open for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks. It offers a wide variety of breads, salads, a brunch menu, shareable plates, starters, and desserts.
Ionian Gallery Tea Room: Located on the 1st floor of the Villanueva Building, you can choose from a variety of teas, coffees, pastries, and beverages.
Mune Prado: With a menu that serves Lebanese, Mediterranean, and Middle-Eastern delicacies, this restaurant is just 700m from the museum.
Caravan Cafe: At just 1.1km from the museum, this is a favourite among tourists and locals alike. Look out for the San Sebastian Cheesecake—several customers have expressed their love for this dessert.

Pro Tip: Madrid is full of cafes, restaurants, and bars, each of which will have something unique to offer. We’d recommend taking a walk through the streets of Central Madrid a short while before you know you’re going to be hungry, to explore some of the hidden gems the city is home to.

Reina Sofia Museum: The second museum in the Madrid Triangle of Art (in no particular order), this stunning museum is home to a massive collection of 20th-century Spanish art, besides being an architectural marvel.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: The third member of the Madrid Triangle of Art, this museum is home to 1,600 works of art, and at one point, was also the second largest private collection of art after the British Royal Collection. A must-visit, then, yes?
Royal Palace of Madrid: The largest royal residence in Europe (yes, Europe), the Royal Palace of Madrid has a whopping 3,418 rooms, each featuring jaw-dropping architectural elements, tapestries, and historical elements.
Legends Collection: A stunning museum that celebrates the meteoric rise of the sport of football, it’s home to over 4,000+ objects that represent football’s material history over the years.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Prado Museum

What are the opening hours of the Prado Museum?

The Prado Museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm, and on Sundays and public holidays from 10am to 7pm. Give yourself at least 2–3 hours to explore its artistic treasures without rushing.

When is the Prado Museum closed?

Planning your trip around holidays? Good call. The museum is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25. On December 24 and 31, and January 6, it shuts a bit earlier—at 2pm.

What’s the best time to visit the Prado Museum?

To beat the crowds and soak in masterpieces with fewer people around, visit early in the morning or after 4pm on weekdays. Mondays and Wednesdays tend to be quieter than weekends.

Is the Prado Museum accessible to visitors with disabilities?

Absolutely. The Prado Museum is accessible to wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility. There are ramps, adapted restrooms, and elevators. Wheelchairs are available free of charge, and staff are on hand to assist whenever needed.

Are there free admission hours at the Prado Museum?

Yes! You can enter for free from 6pm to 8pm (Monday–Saturday) and 5pm to 7pm (Sundays & holidays). But heads-up: these hours draw big crowds, so arrive early to get in smoothly.

How long should I plan to spend at the Prado Museum?

Art lover or casual explorer, 2 to 4 hours is a sweet spot. If you’re diving deep into Spanish masters like Velázquez or Goya, budget a half-day or consider a return visit.

Can I buy skip-the-line tickets to the Prado Museum?

Yes, and it’s totally worth it! Skip-the-line tickets let you breeze past queues and make the most of your time with the art, not the lines.

What should I not miss when I visit the Prado Museum?

Start with the biggies—Velázquez’s Las Meninas, Goya’s The Third of May 1808, Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights. Don't miss Rubens, Titian, and El Greco, too!