Founded in 1819, The Prado Museum (Museo del Prado in Spanish) is thought to hold one of the world’s finest collections of European art. For anyone interested in art, history, or European culture, a trip to Madrid wouldn’t be complete without visiting Museo del Prado!
With a collection covering almost 1,000 years of European art, the museum is regarded as one of the greatest art museums on Earth.
A visit to the museum can be simplified by buying your Museo del Prado tickets in advance, thereby skipping the ticket office lines. It can also be enhanced by making use of a guided tour, that can bring the historical and cultural context of the paintings to life.
We’ll discuss and compare all of the available options, so you can find the ticket or tour that’s right for you.
Highlights:
- Considered one of the greatest art museums on the planet
- Holds the world’s largest collection of Spanish art
- Features work by some of the world’s most celebrated artists
- See the world-famous Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez
- Buy Museo del Prado tickets online and skip the ticket line
Know before you book:
- If you are under 18, or a student aged 19-25, you can enter for free
- Kids and students must provide valid ID (and student card) for free access
- Access to the museum takes place up until half an hour before closing time
- Food and drinks are not permitted inside the museum, except in the cafe
Located in Madrid’s museum district, the celebrated Museo del Prado is one of the most visited museums in the world, seeing almost 3 million visitors each year. It holds the largest collection of Spanish art on Earth, featuring works dating back to the 11th century.
It houses works by some of the most celebrated artists of all time, including Hieronymus Bosch, Francisco Goya, El Greco, and Diego Velázquez, amongst many others.
The museum is sometimes described as a museum of painters, rather than of paintings; it represents it’s most celebrated artists extensively. This is largely a hangover from the style of curation in 16th and 17th-century Spain, where collecting as many works as possible by one’s favorite artists was the aim.
The tickets and tours discussed below can help streamline or enhance your experience. We’ll compare the prices and features of Prado Museum tours and tickets, so you can find the most affordable option that suits your needs.
The cheapest way to see the Museo del Prado is to visit during the free entry hours (6 – 8 pm on Monday – Saturday, and 5 – 7 pm on Sundays and public holidays). However, many other travelers have the same idea, which can result in extensive queues and uncomfortable crowds.
In order to get a worthwhile Museo del Prado experience, it’s generally recommended to buy a standard ticket in advance and go when it’s quieter.
Prado Museum Prices 2021
A standard Prado entrance ticket costs around $17 USD (€15). A guided tour of the Prado Museum will set you back roughly between $40 USD (€35) and $180 USD (€162), depending on the experience level of your tour guide and whether you choose a group or private tour.
See the Prado Museum price list below for up to date prices and the latest offers.
Prado Museum Opening Hours
The Prado Museum is open almost every day of the year, with only three exceptions. It’s closed on the following dates each year:
● 1st of January
● 1st of May
● 25th of December
For the rest of the calendar year, the museum is open 7 days a week for you to enjoy and admire. The Prado Museum hours are as follows:
Monday – Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
Sundays and public holidays: 10 am – 7 pm
Note that the museum has reduced opening hours (10 am – 2 pm) on the following dates each year:
● 6th of January
● 24th of December
● 3st of December
Best Time to Visit the Prado Museum
If you’d like to visit the museum in the morning, we advise that you aim to arrive 10 minutes before it opens at 10 am. Arriving early will give you some space and peace before the crowds start to gather between 11 am and 1 pm.
Alternatively, you can plan to visit around lunchtime (2 pm), when others are sitting down for food or enjoying a siesta. The weekends are always busier than weekdays.
The museum can get particularly busy during peak season (June – September), while the low season (November – February) tends to be a fair bit quieter. If you’re thinking about visiting during the free hours, we recommend only doing so during the low season.
Prado Museum Tickets and Tour Options
There are several options for visiting the Prado Museum: you can purchase either a standard ticket and explore on your own or one of the available Prado Museum guided tours. Below, we discuss the best ticket and tour options for the Museo del Prado.
Direct Entrance Prado Museum, Madrid Tickets
This Prado Museum ticket offers you full access to the museum for an entire day. The major benefit of this ticket is that it allows you to skip the line at the ticket office upon arrival, saving you time, discomfort, and stress.
You will be able to admire the over 1,300 paintings that are currently on display in the main building and appreciate artworks by some of the world’s greatest artists. While exploring the museum’s prestigious collection, you’ll come across works by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, and Hieronymus Bosch, amongst many others.
A great way to ensure that you see the Prado Museum highlights is to make use of the optional audio guide, which costs around $4 USD (€3.50). Available for purchase on arrival at the museum, the audio guide steers you on a path rich with noteworthy artworks, providing historical context along the way.
- Full-day access to the Prado Museum, Madrid
- The ability to skip the ticket office lines
- A guided tour of the Prado Museum
- Transfers to and from your accommodation
- Food and drinks
Explore the museum at your own pace, and spend as long as you like savoring the experience. This option is best for casual tourists or knowledgeable art enthusiasts who can guide themselves through the museum.
Check Price & BookGuided Prado Museum Tour
If you’d prefer to explore the Prado Museum with the help of a knowledgeable guide, this group tour is a fantastic, affordable option. Just like the direct entrance ticket discussed above, this tour allows you to skip the long lines at the ticket office.
Along with your experienced guide, you’ll embark on a journey through nearly 1,000 years of European art. Enticing commentary and stories will be provided by your guide as you wander through the museum. The groups on this tour tend to be pretty small, making for an intimate and engaging experience.
One of our favorite features of this tour is the optional tapas tasting. This option allows you to try several types of tapas at a well-renowned bar, after a scenic walk through the city.
- Full-day access to the Prado Museum, Madrid
- The ability to skip the ticket office lines
- A guided tour with a knowledgeable guide
- Tapas tasting session (if option selected)
- Optional gratuities
- Transfers to and from your accommodation
- Food and drinks (unless tapas option is selected)
If you’re an artistic soul, a history enthusiast, or a cultural connoisseur, exploring the Prado Museum with a guide will really heighten your experience. This option is both affordable and enjoyable, filled with interesting facts and information.
Check Price & BookPrivate, Guided Prado Museum Tour
For those who have an invested interest in art, history, and European culture, as well as a bit of extra money to spend, a private tour may be preferred. This 3-hour guided tour allows you to delve deep into the museum’s world-renowned collection, under the guidance of an experienced art historian.
With a private tour, you’ll have the full, undivided attention of your guide, with their wealth of knowledge at your disposal. You will also be able to adjust the time spent at each artwork, to better suit your interests.
The historical context and stories shared by your guide really enhance the experience, and allow you to connect with the artworks in a personal way.
- Full-day access to the Prado Museum, Madrid
- The ability to skip the ticket offce lines
- A guided tour with an expert art historian guide
- Optional gratuities
- Transfers to and from your accommodation
- Food and drinks
If you’re visiting as a couple of adults, with two children under the age of 18, the children enter for free (meaning you only have to pay the cost of the tour for two people). This tour may be a little pricey, but it’s one of the finest Madrid museum tours on offer.
Check Price & BookSpecification: Prado Museum Tickets in Advance | Price 2024 (Tickets | Guided Tours)
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Anonymous –
This was a comprehensive and great tour of the important Spanish and European art works in the Prado. The guide was excellent and very knowledgeable. I would recommend it highly.
Anonymous –
Our guide Marta was very knowledgeable and customized our learning and experiences. Very much worth the cost.
Anonymous –
This was a fantastic tour. Our guide, Pedro, was outstanding; extremely knowledgeable ( he teaches Art History) and works at the Reina Sofía Museum on a permanent basis. Besides, he is very articulate and nice.
Anonymous –
As the main Spanish national art museum, a visit here is a must do on any trip to Madrid. Beautifully laid out, and easy to navigate, you can't help but revel in the works of Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt, De Goya, Bosch, and the list goes on. This is for art lovers and anyone who just enjoys beauty.