Museo Nacional del Prado

This museum has a wide range of Spanish Art Collections. It's quite big with basement and multiple floors if you want to explore everything with details I'm pretty sure 5-6 hour's will be less. Inside of museum it has cafeteria. It's better if you can buy tickets online rather waiting in lengthy line's. It's the best collection of Goya. For exploring it you'll get a free guide as well.

Very beautiful museum!!! Truly one of the best in the world. The artwork, especially the marble sculptures leave you speechless! A must for anyone in Madrid. Just be warned, no photos once you’re inside!

Wonderful place. Absolutely a mist visit if you are in Madrid. Consider few hours there if you want to see everything. However you can follow the floors plan provided for free inside the museum to look for your favourite artworks. El Greco, Dalı, Velázquez, and the most important Goya black paintings in the basement. Those are stunning with the story around them. Photos inside are not allowed, thankfully, that adds extra enjoyment possibility to the place. Make sure to buy tickets online, that saves a lot of time on the queue!

For who enjoys art it’s a good place. Audio guide available for a better experience. Could be crowed in pick hours. The are lockers for free so you can leave your bags. You have also a cafeteria and a small store if you need souvenirs.

Wow! The Prado is one of the most visited museums of art for good reason. There is so much to see that you could easily spend a whole day. Due to its popularity, definitely buy your ticket ahead of time. We enjoyed our visit but it definitely gets crowded!

So many top paintings and sculptures. Offers free admission 6-8PM on Thursday but I only covered half of the main corridor on the main floor. This museum needs at least a full day to go over all the exhibits throughly.

Such a great museum with lots of collections to explore! My specific point of interest was Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch 😍 It didn’t disappoint! It’s bigger than I thought, which is great for looking at all the details, so I spent some time looking at this piece. I was told by staff that no photos are allowed though so I didn’t take many pictures. No photos allowed is something to keep in mind when you visit as I don’t encounter this often on my museum trips (and I have been to quite a few). I recommend you spend a few hours at the museum as there are lots of artists on display here (Titian, Goya, Rafael, Bruegel, Rubens, Patinir, and lots more; I also discovered some artists here that I didn’t know existed) 😀 I’ll definitely be coming back here again as I didn’t manage to see everything this time round! Oh and I recommend you book your ticket in advance - I did that, so I didn’t have to wait in a queue at all 👌🏻

Beautiful place , full of art, history and amazing works of art. The Museum is huge with all kinds pieces of art and sculptures. The Goya and Velázquez sections are large, organized, and well documented.

This museum has a wide range of Spanish Art Collections. It's quite big with basement and multiple floors if you want to explore everything with details I'm pretty sure 5-6 hour's will be less. Inside of museum it has cafeteria. It's better if you can buy tickets online rather waiting in lengthy line's. It's the best collection of Goya. For exploring it you'll get a free guide as well.

Very beautiful museum!!! Truly one of the best in the world. The artwork, especially the marble sculptures leave you speechless! A must for anyone in Madrid. Just be warned, no photos once you’re inside!

Wonderful place. Absolutely a mist visit if you are in Madrid. Consider few hours there if you want to see everything. However you can follow the floors plan provided for free inside the museum to look for your favourite artworks. El Greco, Dalı, Velázquez, and the most important Goya black paintings in the basement. Those are stunning with the story around them. Photos inside are not allowed, thankfully, that adds extra enjoyment possibility to the place. Make sure to buy tickets online, that saves a lot of time on the queue!

For who enjoys art it’s a good place. Audio guide available for a better experience. Could be crowed in pick hours. The are lockers for free so you can leave your bags. You have also a cafeteria and a small store if you need souvenirs.

Wow! The Prado is one of the most visited museums of art for good reason. There is so much to see that you could easily spend a whole day. Due to its popularity, definitely buy your ticket ahead of time. We enjoyed our visit but it definitely gets crowded!

So many top paintings and sculptures. Offers free admission 6-8PM on Thursday but I only covered half of the main corridor on the main floor. This museum needs at least a full day to go over all the exhibits throughly.

Such a great museum with lots of collections to explore! My specific point of interest was Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch 😍 It didn’t disappoint! It’s bigger than I thought, which is great for looking at all the details, so I spent some time looking at this piece. I was told by staff that no photos are allowed though so I didn’t take many pictures. No photos allowed is something to keep in mind when you visit as I don’t encounter this often on my museum trips (and I have been to quite a few). I recommend you spend a few hours at the museum as there are lots of artists on display here (Titian, Goya, Rafael, Bruegel, Rubens, Patinir, and lots more; I also discovered some artists here that I didn’t know existed) 😀 I’ll definitely be coming back here again as I didn’t manage to see everything this time round! Oh and I recommend you book your ticket in advance - I did that, so I didn’t have to wait in a queue at all 👌🏻

Beautiful place , full of art, history and amazing works of art. The Museum is huge with all kinds pieces of art and sculptures. The Goya and Velázquez sections are large, organized, and well documented.

In my opinion, a visit here is a must when you're in the city. I suggest signing up for a tour. Not only do you skip the entrance line, but you also get your own guide who will show you all the highlights and show you details of certain collections you would otherwise not notice if you walked the grounds on your own. Our group of 5 came in at 4pm with 4 hours to see what we wanted to see. They don't allow photos to be taken inside so put your phone away and take everything in that you see instead. There are a ton of different collections. They even have a Mona Lisa One neat thing I liked is that they allow artists to paint inside. We saw one guy in the middle of one room with his full setup painting a specific statue. I love that they let their artists practice inside. It was cool to see their take on whatever tickled their fancy. It's amazing that you get to be super close to huge paintings. There was one particular hallway filled with the biggest paintings I'd ever seen. They house over 35,000 pieces of art so you would need multiple visits to see everything. Our guide showed us her personal favorites. Of what she showed us, the highlight for me were the works of Velázquez.

It goes without saying but being able to visit one of the top museums in the world for free (last two hours of each day, typically 6-8pm) is a blessing in itself. By the time we arrived, the line appeared to be quite long but moves rather quickly. We got in around 6:20-6:25ish and tried our best to do the 1-hour itinerary found online. https://www.museodelprado.es/en/itinerary/one-hour-at-the-museum-itinerary/a432f1c0-3248-4efa-b3d5-5542be9e7c33 Arrive early (530ish) if you're not into queues. You'll have to get an admission ticket, then go through security. Items that aren't permitted can be checked / retrieved later on. We had a mini soccer ball (bc we came from Retiro Park) that we had to check.

Honestly how can many Spanish staff be so rude. I went to the audioguide staff and he looked like he hates his life, which somehow I understand because that seems like a boring job. But overall, in many establishments, expect someone to be rude to you for no reason because this isn't Japan. The museum doesn't allow picture. I honestly wouldn't recommend audio guide. Reading the info panels next to the displays is good enough. The gift shop is huge and sells many things. Magnets and t shirts are expensive. Fans were less expensive than other establishments. It will take you 3-4 hours here to skim though all the displays.

For the average tourist, two hours is a perfect amount of time to navigate this beautiful museum. Art history buffs can spend days here. Pass on the audio guide as it was way too difficult to navigate as they don't have alignment with GPS and you can't search by room number. I noticed very few others were using theirs. I was just fine using the printed notes posted on the wall for each piece. You can book a time slot ahead of time and there is an entrance on the back side to scan in to avoid the lines. Else, you will wait in the ticket queue that wraps around the corner but moves along. We went in off season and found it still a bit crowded so bring your patience or come in the afternoons. The botanical garden immediately next door was a perfect way to unwind from the crowds. I highly recommend this stop before departing.

A must in Madrid, and such a delight for museum lovers. Visiting during their free hours is not so bad. Even though the line is pretty long, it is pretty quick once people start going in. I went more than once, there is so much to see! Photos are not allowed inside; there are no clear signs posted about it so people take pictures (until staff tells them not to). Tip: You can get the combo of an entrance ticket + the guide of El Prado. It is great, just know that it's a big book. It's quite an encyclopedia (and I love it!). *** Visita obligada en Madrid, y un deleite para amantes de los museos. Visitarlos durante las horas gratuitas para el público en general no están nada mal. Aunque la fila es largísima, la gente pasa muy rápido, una vez que se permite la entrada al museo. Yo fui más de una vez, hay tanto que ver! No se permiten las fotos en el museo, y no hay señalamientos claros al respecto, por lo que todo mundo lo hace (hasta que te regañan). Tip: Puedes pedir el paquete de la entrada + el libro guía del museo. Está muy bien, pero el libro es muy pesado, como una enciclopedia (y me encanta!).

On this mad dash through the "highlights of Madrid" we made it to Prado museum, and had a few very specific paintings in mind to see. It was after 6pm, so we got in free, after about a 15 minute wait. The line is LOOOONG, but moves, so stay in it and you will get to the front. The website has recommended paintings in each area if you are in a time crunch - literally, we picked the "Prado in an hour" list, and worked from there, since they closed at 8pm. My daughter wanted to see some of Goya's "black paintings" and man, they were dark (figuratively and literally). We also saw Greco, Van Der Weyden, and Rembrandt. No photography, so I cant post any visuals. Like the Met, you could wander in here for a long while. But, if you have specific artwork, they are organized and marked very well so you can find the ones you are looking for.

Part of the "museum triangle" in Madrid, consisting of the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia, this is the largest of the three in terms of exhibition space, probably the most well-known, and definitely the most crowded. The museum is free the last 2 hours every day, and boy, that means super long lines. On a Sunday in September the museum started free hours at 5pm. I arrived exactly at 5pm and waited in a line of about 500+ people for an hour before reaching the front, meaning I had an hour inside before it closed. Normal admission is a reasonable €15 with timed entry and if you want to take your time I'd highly suggest purchasing in advance online for a morning slot so you can see more of the museum. Also you need to coat check anything larger than a pocketbook size purse (which is free) though this takes a few minutes after passing thru security. As a moderate art museum buff it was my second time here and I'd say even though comparatively the Louvre is physically larger, there are just as many interesting exhibits at the Prado. The Louvre has more impressive architecture but it felt like fewer pieces on display--you can get thru all the halls in one day, especially if you are like me and focused less on classical western sculpture and Middle Eastern art and artifacts which are significant portions of the exhibits at the Louvre. (Also the crowds at the Louvre are a bit too much.) The Prado has relatively speaking more paintings on display. Compared to the Met (which you'd probably need at least 2-3 full days to really get thru all the exhibits in detail) and London's V&A, British Museum, some of the US Smithsonian museums, the Prado is smaller though still requires a ton of time to get through. 5 hours is simply not enough if you really want to read a lot of the descriptions and also see everything. Whether you're an art fan or not, like some others have mentioned, if you have limited time, plan in advance which sections or pieces you want to see, or follow the museum's map indicating where the most famous pieces are located. Without a map the layout is pretty confusing, I spent the last 10 minutes of the day trying to figure out how to make my way back to the front entrance to pick up my bag at coat check. The museum store and cafe are quite nice here, though if you want to leave mid-day, grab lunch nearby and come back, they let you do that from a side entrance. As many have mentioned photos aren't allowed, though aside from a small note on the back of the museum map I learned the hard way when I was yelled at by the staff (oops)!

Do I recommended this place? Duh, am I a Philistine? Of course I do! Only gripe is you absolutely CANNOT take pictures. If you want to take pics, take one of your food in the cafe.

Visited the Prado museum while attending my company's presidents club event this year. I wouldn't consider myself a museum buff by any stretch as I probably log 1-2 museum visits a year. That being said, my visit to the Prado is at the top of my list. It felt like a privilege to be up close with paintings from Spain's most iconic artists. My favorites from my visit were Diego Velasquez and Francisco Goya. The museum itself was enjoyable, the cafe, store, and outer areas did not disappoint either. Pros: Numerous pieces from the most iconic Spanish artists, wide variety of art forms, lots to see and definitely worth the price of admission. Cons: NA

Huge. Expect museum fatigue. I went to see the works of Hieronymus Bosch. €30 for a family of 4

Very large museum with a lot of famous historical arts with a variety of styles, many Spanish artists work (Goya, Bosch, Velasquez, El Greco), but also some other European work such as Rubens. Average to get through all the works takes about 2-3 hours, but for enthusiasts it might take up to 5 hours to get through it all. Not all the works by the same artist are put together unfortunately, for example Goya's Black Paintings are placed in the floor below his court painter and middle period works. Also unfortunate is their more strict policy on no photos; security will reprimand you if they catch you taking out your phone, even if it's no flash. Costs about 15 euros per adult, cheaper if you are a student, minor, or senior. They have a locker to keep your bags at the front free of charge.

Special place to visit, especially if you have an appreciation for the works of El Greco. Remember, you can't use your camera without being told not to, but that shouldn't stop you from absorbing and appreciating all the art and exhibitions offered. Long wait in line, but worth it.

Stopped by here on my visit to Retiro Park and Puerto Del Alcalá. Because of the heat, I got here earlier than my scheduled time. There are plenty of interesting art exhibits. For 15 EUR, you are certainly getting your money's worth. This place is quite busy though. Busy not in terms of foot traffic, but that there are just so many exhibits that it is easy to get lost here. That is what happened to me. I wish there was a bit clearer direction of where to go so you don't end up lost.

The Prado Museum is a must see if you're in Madrid. It costs €15 plus a fee to buy your tickets in advance which you should definitely do unless you don't mind waiting in a long line. Be prepared to spend at least 3 hours. There are so many important pieces of art-paintings and sculptures.

Nice museum with lots of old paintings and old statues. Very busy. Buy tickets online ahead of time. Oh, and despite all the photos posted, photography is not allowed inside.

I am not an art person, but I saw many paintings that I only saw on my high school textbooks and history books and documentaries in real life...what more do I need to say... Too bad pictures weren't allowed

We two visited the Prado for over 5 hours. We started with the museum's 90 minute English guided tour, hich exceeded expectations and is a highlight of our Spain trip. Afterwards we used the helpful audioguide to view more works for another 3 hours. The Prado controls crowds well, so we never felt crowded when viewing pieces. NOTE: the Prado's "Mona Lisa" is not in the Audioguide nor a part of the Guided Tour; to locate it quickly we asked the information desk.

Best tip ever... and to all that visit, you will thank me for this advice. The lines outside the museum are long and can be up to 2 hours. Book your tickets online. They have timed entry, so if you're like me and don't want to commit in advance to a specific day or time, just wait until you're close to the museum to book. I was able to get tickets for 30 minutes after I booked, so I found a cafe and waited there. Once you have a ticket, you skip the line and can enter. Museum guides are dressed in red and will show you the correct entrance. Ladies... only carry a small purse, or you will have to check it. It's safe, but I hate not having my bag with me. One of the world's top museums, some compare it to the Louvre, but I don't think so. It houses one of the finest collections of European Art dating from the 12th -20th century. nice collections from Goya, Velasquez, and El Greco. Not to be missed is the Leonardo da Vinci collection with an original studio copy of the Mona Lisa, from 1819, said to be one of the first drafts of the famous painting. A landmark that should be seen by everyone who visits Madrid.

We waited on line outside for :20 yo get inside, it was intimidating. We went through airport security, checked our bags and began exploring this vast national museum. We could spend weeks here, but we narrowed it down to two hours & we got to see the renowned masterpieces that we would t see anywhere else. Okay The Prado opened in 1819 as the Royal Museum of Paintings. The artistic anchors of the Prado are Francisco Goya, Diego Velázquez, and Peter Paul Rubens. But there are also masterpieces by Titian, Bosch, and El Greco. There are over 100 rooms across 3 floors. There was a cafe with courtyard seating, a large gift shop and book shops. The Prada is a campus with 6 buildings. We wandered endlessly, in awe, through room after room full of beautiful paintings, statues, and housewares.

I've lived in Madrid for almost 6 months and can't believe it has taken me this long to visit the Prado Museum. Literally, world-class exhibits...world-class! I am not lying and I'm not speaking in hyperbole when I say this museum displays nothing but world-class greatness. Offering exhibits that display paintings and sculptures from Spain, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, and many more regions throughout western Europe, these works cover the Neoclassical period. Artists such as Picasso, Velazquez, Goya, Rubens, Bosch, and many more are littered throughout this incredible Spanish wonder. Honestly, I cannot say enough about this unspeakable museum and truthfully words are not enough to describe it. Apart from the main museum attractions, this establishment also boasts a few other great venues. Containing not just a cafe with sandwiches, treats, and drinks, the Prado also has a fully operational restaurant as well. Furthermore, and my personal favorite, the gift shop is awesome and reasonably priced too. We bought 20 postcards, two books, and two beautiful notebooks all for 48 euros. Aside from these items, they also have bags, cards, decorative glass cases, paintings, children's books and items, and so much more. Personal note, you need a guided tour, whether that is audio or physical. I've heard that you can download one on your phone once in the museum. We bought our physical guided tour pass from the "Get Your Guide" app, which was worth the money. If you choose not to go the guided tour route, please...please, research the art before you go. You will thank me. Also, know that there is a security check. Your purses and small bags are allowed; however, a backpack or anything that size will have to be checked at the free coat check area (that's right, the coat and bag check is free). Overall, don't be like me and believe that you can wait to see the Prado Museum later. The first chance you get, book it and make it happen. I am already planning my next visit. One day is not enough time to see and appreciate all of the remarkable art. Enjoy! Note: photography in the exhibits is strictly prohibited and enforced.

TLDR: Wear walking shoes. Get a map and plan your route to cover the major works. Prioritize. No photos allowed. This is easily a 4h walk, to even hit all the rooms let alone spend more time with the individual paintings. Can't miss: - Goya especially the darker ones like Saturn Devouring His Son and other Black Paintings. Astonishing contrast vs. his lighter works. Also the two Majas right next to each other, one nude one clothed. - Bosch room - where everything looks anachronistically modern to me. - the one really famous Valasquez painting. - different version of Mona Lisa (your chance to see it up close since the one at the Louvre was from 10 ft away with 100 tourists in front of you). Holding a physical map and planning your route is helpful. Prioritize so you don't get art fatigue. No photos allowed (though I managed to take one before I learned they were not allowed).

Wow! I enjoyed this museum so much I went twice during my 9-day trip. It costs around €15, however you can buy a 3-museum pass for around €32. This museum is huge, well organized and has a variety of art pieces. Several gift shops throughout the museum and a large clean cafe with in and outdoor options. This is a must see on any trip to Madrid

Great visit, spent 2.5 hours checking out this world famous Madrid museum which hosts works from El Greco, Goya, Rubens, Sorolla, Murillo, Velasquez, Coello, and more. Bought skip the line tickets from the official museum website the morning of my same day afternoon visit, showed up 10 minutes before my allotted time and had a very short wait. A must see in Madrid.

Great way to spend the day. One of the best museums in Europe. Great collection of Goya, Titian, and Velázque. Must see in Madrid.

While visiting the Prado national Museum here in Madrid, we stopped in at the restaurant in the lobby. The artichoke was decimated, it was excellent. My cod was so fresh. I swear it just jumped out of the ocean. Lastly, my wife had a Smashburger, American style and she thought it was the best burger, and I quote "This the best burger I have ever eaten in my entire life"

Plan on more than one day- we'll worth multiple visits to sit and enjoy. They also have a wonderful garden and restaurant. Spend the money on the self guided tour with the book. Wonderful and a keepsake that will become a favorite coffee table book. Everyone was so patient and kind- since I don't speak Spanish that was GREATLY appreciated. I wish visitors were more respectful of others who want to enjoy the art - not have to try to read and listen over loud conversations.

I like the art but the guard in the room where the 4 seasons Goya is, is a jerk. He told us to shush WHEN NOBODY ELSE WAS IN THE ROOM. Seriously psycho. Also saw him yelling at some people near the elevator. Also the map is so bad and it's so disorganized that it's impossible to find anything. Also, they don't even let you take any photos.

So much amazing art lies behind the walls of this great museum. Goya is the man to see here and my favorite by him is: The Third of May 1808 in Madrid (1814) The Black Paintings Goya room was nuts and you mustn't miss this room when you visit this museum. I highly recommend checking this place out to see lots of Spain's national treasures!

The Prado Museum is a must see. It houses one of the finest collections of European Art dating from the 12th century to the 20th century and is one of the most visited museums in the world. It opened in 1819 and is the largest museum in Spain. We bought our tickets ahead of our trip at 15 euro a person. The museum is open Mon-Sat 10am to 7pm and Sun 10am to 7pm. There are around 7600 paintings, 8200 drawings, 4800 prints and 1000 sculptures. I was able to view several of my favorite paintings and fell in love with many more.

We booked our tickets online which saved us lots of time. We ordered two student tickets and the students needed to show ID; gratefully they had the ID with them! Rented the earphones to listen to the tour of the artwork. Spent around 3 hours there; we could have spent much longer but there is so much to do in Madrid we needed to be selective! Such a beautiful museum.

A MUST SEE you could wander in awe for hours.. I know because I did :) So many masterpieces from so many renowned artists. And the tour guide I booked through Get Your Guide gave a fabulous overview of some of the most famous pieces available to view at the Prado. Inside, there are a few dining options but food and drinks are not allowed in the gallery. Neither are photos and the employees let you know it if you try. I highly recommend getting a tour guide and then wandering on your own after to go back and see more.

I am not big on museums, but I said, when in Madrid, check out El Prado. The Prado Museum, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It houses one of the world's finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art. Founded as a museum of paintings and sculpture in 1819, it also contains important collections of other types of works. The Prado Museum is one of the most visited museums in the world, and is considered one of the greatest art museums in the world. The numerous works by Francisco Goya, the single most extensively represented artist, as well as by Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, and Diego Velázquez, are some of the highlights of the collection. Velázquez and his keen eye and sensibility were also responsible for bringing much of the museum's fine collection of Italian masters to Spain, now one of the largest outside Italy. The collection currently comprises around 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures, in addition to many other works of art and historic documents. Admission is 15euros, but many days, it's free from 6p-8p. So that's what I did. I stood in line, not long and got in to see the museum for free. Two hours was just NOT enough. This museum has so many beautiful pieces of art, so many rooms, so much to see...next time, I will pay the fee and stay the whole day, it's worth it. I took some pictures of the artwork, before I was told I couldn't. So, just be aware. No pics inside !!!

There are many transcendent pieces located here, it's an enormous museum approaching the Louvre in scope (although definitely not as big, thank goodness). If you are a dedicated art lover and determined to ignore sore feet, I think you can complete this museum in about 5-6 hours. I took two 1/2 hour breaks at their cafes for lunch and later a desert and espresso. The food was easy to get and delicious. As the days wears on there's plenty of places to sit and admire art from afar. If a tour group or three hogs a great painting, don't worry about it, come back in a few minutes and inevitably a spot opens up. I highly recommend booking tickets in advance (also consider getting an Art Walk pass that gives you entry to all three museums nearby--Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia) Get in line as early as you can (I got there at 10 am and the line was already sizeable). If you wait till late afternoon for free entry the line is very long. There are no photos allowed, but I saw people sneaking pics if staff backs were turned. Whenever I had a question the gallery minders gave me good answers about the art or locations of paintings. Each room is labeled with a number that you can find on the map available at the information desk. I figured out which were my priorities to see early morning, then took my time with the rest. The gift shops have a lot of cool prints and merch. I wish they allowed pics, because often I like to capture closeup brushstrokes on a painting. This and the large crowds are the only drawback to attending this magnificent space.

Don't waste your money on "skip the line" tickets. You pay more and during the week from opening until about 2:00PM the "skip the line" line will have hundreds of people in it. Excessively longer than just buying the tickets at the ticket office. The security and employees outside aren't helpful. I went to the front of the "skip the line" line (which had HUNDREDS of people in it) to ask the security if that was the skip the line, line. The security told me to bring our tickets to the front (so my husband left our place in the line) and when we showed our tickets, the security went back on everything she told me. Then we went to the ticket office line to ask where the "skip the line" line was because if you're paying extra to NOT wait, why do we have to wait in a line with hundreds of people in it. The people working the lines at the ticket office decided to not acknowledge me. I am 5'10, not invisible. We eventually wait hours in our hotel (which is across the street) and watched from the window to not wait in line. When we get into the museum, the art is overrated. The inside of the museum is plain. Nothing exceptionally nice about it worth waiting the lines. The Louvre is a nicer museum. Hanging around the outside of the Prado people, bird, and dog watching is a nicer experience than going inside it.

This sprawling facility with 166,000 square feet (15,400 square meters) of gallery space has a stunning display of art pieces, largely from the 15th and 16th century. This world class museum is not quite as extensive as the Louvre nor the Met - those have 4.7 and 3.8 times more gallery space respectively - but it's one of the larger museums in the world. There is no shortage of priceless paintings on display and remarkable works of art! Don't miss some of the most valuable pieces of art in all of Europe including Las Meninas by Velasquez in Room 12 and the famed Third of May by Goya in Room 75 (as well as all of Goya's stunningly intimate portraits of people ranging from nobility to commoners). One of my personal favorites is a duo of 1759 paintings by Antonio Joli (student of the great Giovanni Panini) known as Departure of Charles of Bourbon for Spain and Carlos de Borbón leaving the Port of Naples, both of these located side by side in Room 21. These images incredibly capture the excitement in Naples, Italy, on October 6, 1759, surrounding the departure of Charles of Bourbon who would travel to Spain to become King Carlos III after his brother, the previous king, died without children. Mount Vesuvius can be seen smoking in the background, and you get the sense of what it would be like to witness the departure of a fleet of ships long before photography could capture these images!

The Museo Nacional del Prado is Spain's national art museum, and is often considered to have one of the world's finest collections of classic European art. Sourced from the Spanish Royal Collection, expect masterworks from Goya, El Greco and Rubens plus a lot of Italian art. Leaving modern Art to the other nearby museums those who prefer such are well-advised to snag free entry online as the highlights can be seen within the 18h00 to 20h00 timeframe.

Beware of weather in Madrid at the moment there is a storm, despite the fact that in the morning it reaches a hellish temperature

This is one of the best Art Museums I've ever been too. There's so much to see, almost too much for one day! I would recommend stopping halfway through to grab lunch to make sure you don't rush through anything. This museum is a must see if you enjoy art.

We only had a couple of hours to visit the Museum. My friend wanted to concentrate on Goya.luckily, there was a major Goya's Drawings exhibit in the house. Aside from the main mayor Goya paintings on the permanent exhibit, the drawings were very extensive and the hot ticket at the moment. " Solo la Voluntad me Sobra' ("Only My Strength of Will Remains") is the name of the exhibit. With more than 300 drawings is a rare and unique exhibition. It was prepared to celebrate the 200 Anniversary of El Prado. We also saw art by Velazquez, Rembrandt, Raphael, Titan, etc, walking through the Galleries. El Prado like any major Museum in the world cannot be grasped at once. I have visited a number of times throughout the years and is always a new experience. Until next time.

This is a beautiful and stunning museum. It's so big and we weren't able to explore everything in the short time we were there. We had ordered tickets online and were sent a locator number. Upon arriving, we showed the ticket office this number and received the actual tickets. The entrance, from the north side ticket office is around the bend. After going through security you're in the main hall, with a gift shop and a cafe. The art here is so incredible, even being able to see the Mona Lisa painted by one of Da Vinci's pupils is quite impressive. The Rafael hall was stunning, too. If you're in Madrid, make sure to go here!

An incredible and grande museum. My husband and I bought our tickets online (I would recommend buying them in advance). The facility is enormous; read up on your favorite artist and make a plan before you go inside. There is just so much to see that we decided to head to our favorites first, and if we weren't exhausted, we would look at more. Our favorite room was the room with all the jewels and physical objects. It is the furthest away from everything, so I would recommend planning your trip either from there or to there.

I can't say this was my favorite museum in Madrid, but I did enjoy it surprisingly. Prior to going, I looked up the type of art there - lots of European art (which I'm really not a huge fan of). But the reviews were so great, and it's quite a famous museum. Even my friend who studied abroad here said it was a must. So we came. I'm glad I bought the tickets prior to coming, as it was packed at opening time on a Sunday morning. If you buy the tickets in advanced, you go straight to the entrance of the museum, where there is no line. Fantastic! I will say that these European artworks were a lot more interesting than the usual set I see back at home. I really appreciated seeing the Hieronymus Beach. It was quite a fantastic painting to look at - there are lots of different things going on, and it is worth standing there for 10+ minutes, looking at each of the humans and the sinful things they are doing! lol. I also enjoyed seeing the paintings of Goya, the Nude Maja. Kind of cool thinking that he was a revolutionary painter back in the day. In general, I felt that these paintings in the Prado were slightly more interesting to look at - the people's expressions in the paintings, what they are doing, seemed like a better choice in curation. Quickly after these paintings though, I got museum'd out. If you're into European art, definitely come here. If I personally returned to Madrid though, I wouldn't return.

expensive food for soggy sandwhich. security is overly strict, no photos allowed and tables are horribly uncomfortable. horrible

A wonderful place for art nuts and just individuals who appreciate art in general. Now I am typically more a sculpture guy, which the Del Prado offers, but its main focus is its galleries with endless rooms of various European art. They also offer some various other culture art, but its focal point is on the European side. Price point to get it out of the way was around 15 euro which is a deal as many other famous museums around the world cost much more. Navigating this museum can be tough as the layout is not friendly for first timers, so do yourself a favor and ask the helpful staff for directions. Another note is photos are allowed for most areas, but flash is a no go, but then again I have yet to find a museum where flash is allowed... No backpacks allowed as well, so leave it with the checked coats area for no fee. So is this worth it? Well if you are into world class art and museums the Del Prado in Madrid is one not to miss. Expect to spend many hours here as the facility is quite large! Also one last note, buy your tickets ahead of time to save yourself standing in a long line with the others who randomly showed up.

Wow! Glorious and expansive historical artworks at hand for viewing and admiration! Massive and golden! Priceless pieces that's left to self-interpretation! I was in awe and strolling through!

Ahhhh, the Prado. This is an artist's or art lover's paradise! They have classic pieces by Goya, Diego Velazquez, Bosch, El Greco, Raphael, and so many more masterpieces. The Prado is a must visit when in Madrid! You can plan to spend at least 3 hours here. They offer guided tours but I suggest grabbing their brochure, and hitting up all of the highlighted, "important" images to see! This was the speedy version and it still took us about 3 hours to see all of them. If you take time to look at every single piece of art, you could be there all day long. But hey, if that is your thing, go for it! The Prado is HUGE! The rooms are very well organized and the map is extremely easy to figure out. Get ready to read because there are so many important descriptions and facts throughout this amazing place. The museum itself is gorgeous and they have a fun gift shop in the middle with great items to take home to loved ones. We loved our afternoon spent here and would recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Madrid.

This is ranked as one of the best museums in the world and they're not wrong!! Amazing collections. Lots of Goya, el Greco, Rubens, and Velasquez. They've got a vast medieval collection, sculptures, and decorative pieces. BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE. The line is always very long and non ticket holders. It can be easily done in two hours or so. There are 3 floors. Only downside: no pictures. I didn't really get this for the entire museum. The more famous pieces are heavily watched by employees. I snuck a few though.

Amazing collection of once in a lifetime art. Buy tickets in advance and it can be helpful to follow the map they give you to see the hi-lights of the most famous pieces in each room. Goya collection is a once in a lifetime experience

Definitely a must when in Madrid!! I went around 1pm on a Tuesday and the line was minimal. I waited maybe 15 minutes max and was in. Tips: -If you have a longer trip buy the two visit ticket option! I REALLY regretted that I did not because you can hardly scratch the surface here in one day. - Spend the extra couple euros for the audio guide. It's super informative and gives a couple different virtual "tour" options depending on how long you are in the museum. - Make sure you grab a map!! The one downside to this museum is the layout is atrocious and if you aren't regularly checking the map you wont be able to figure out where you need to go next. Thankfully there are quite a few museum employees around to re-direct you if you need it. - If you know for sure when you want to go then of course buy tickets ahead of time, but if you can't commit to a time they have many ticket windows open so the line does go quick.