Museo Nacional del Prado

The Museo Nacional del Prado is the main reason many people come to Madrid. It opened to the public in November 1819 in a neoclassical building designed by Juan de Villanueva, originally commissioned under Charles III, and its core is the former Spanish royal collection. Today it covers European art from the 12th century to the early 20th century and is widely regarded as holding the finest collection of Spanish painting anywhere. In 2023 it welcomed more than three million visitors.

The headline works are famous for good reason. Velázquez's Las Meninas is the picture most visitors look for first, and Goya is the most extensively represented artist, from The Family of Charles IV to the dark late paintings. Hieronymus Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights draws a constant crowd, and there are major works by El Greco, Titian, Rubens, Rogier van der Weyden and Dürer. The collection is far larger than what is on display, with thousands of paintings, drawings and prints, so the galleries change over time.

The museum is big, and trying to see everything in one go is tiring. A focused visit of two to three hours, built around the Spanish masters and a handful of Flemish and Italian rooms, works better for most people than a full day. Pick up a plan at the entrance or use the official audio guide, and decide in advance which works matter most to you. Families with older children can make a game of finding particular paintings.

Free entry runs during the last two opening hours from Monday to Saturday and for a shorter period on Sundays, but queues build well before these slots, so arrive early or simply buy a timed ticket online. Large bags go in the cloakroom. Some dates have reduced hours or closures, so check the official schedule before you go. The building is linked to Rafael Moneo's extension around the Jerónimos cloister, where you will find the shop and café.

The Prado sits on the Paseo del Prado, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site listed in 2021, and forms the Golden Triangle of Art with the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía, both within a short walk. Banco de España and Atocha are the closest metro stations, and the Real Jardín Botánico and the Retiro park are next door, which makes a gentle walk after a long session indoors.