Established in 1819, the Prado Museum was made open to the public in 1812.
The museum boasts a collection of more than 35,000 art pieces, but only a fraction of about 1,500 is exhibited at any particular moment.
The Prado Museum has a notable emphasis on works created by Spanish artists, such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya, and El Greco. The Prado Museum holds over 8,000 drawings, 7,000 paintings, 4,000 prints, and 1,000 sculptures!
With over three million visitors annually, the Prado Museum is one of the most popular museums worldwide.
The Prado Museum is so named because of the meadow in which it sits. Prado translates to “meadow” in English. At the Museo del Prado, you can view the largest collection of Italian masters outside of Italy!
Francisco Goya is featured more than any other artist inside the Prado Museum. You can even view his La Maja Vestida and La Maja Desnuda.
The best time to visit the Prado Museum is in late spring and early fall. The weather is at its mildest and you’ll experience less crowding than you would in the busy tourist season of summer. At times, the heat of summer can be so severe that your shoes melt into the asphalt. And, you’ll discover that finding affordable lodging becomes more difficult. If you don’t mind less-than-perfect weather and relatively quiet streets, you can often take advantage of lower hotel rates and airline prices in the winter. In terms of the best time of the day to visit the Prado Museum, early morning and the lunch break provides you with the best chance of short queue and less crowding within the more popular galleries. But, if you’re not an early riser, then try arriving 90 minutes before closing. Most visitors have already gone home by then.
Visitors can access the Prado Museum from Monday to Saturday, between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM, while on Sundays and holidays, the museum operates between 10:00 AM and 7:00 PM. However, the museum remains closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
The amount of time spent touring the Prado Museum varies based on individual interests and preferences, but on average, a visit lasts approximately 2-3 hours.
Getting to the Prado Museum is rather simple. If, like most people, you plan on taking the metro, you can use one of two nearby stations. Either reach the Atocha Station by using the Blue Line L1 or reach the Banco de España Station by riding the Red Line L2. From these stations, it is best to use the Prado Museum’s Jerónimo’s Entrance or the Goya Entrance, which is found on Felipe IV Street. The Prado Museum is also easily reachable by bus. Try taking Bus Lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37, or 45. Of course, you could also take a taxi cab. But taxis in Madrid are pretty expensive and you won’t always get a fair shake from the cabbie. Finally, riding a bike to the Prado Museum represents an enticing option because of the small expense and the unique experience offered by the sights and sounds of the city.
Yes, photography is permitted within the Prado Museum. However, the usage of a flash or tripod is strictly prohibited.