# Prado Museum, Madrid > The Prado is Spain's national museum and one of the greatest collections of European painting, opened in 1819 on the Paseo del Prado. It holds Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya and El Greco, Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights, Titian and Rubens. Entry is by timed ticket, and the last hours of the day are usually free. Allow 2 to 3 hours for the main galleries. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/prado-museum - City: [Madrid](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid), Spain - YesGo score: 52/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 2 h 30 min - Opening hours: Daily; free hours in the evening - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Paid, timed ticket online - Free: The last 2 opening hours - Highlights: Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Bosch - Time needed: 2–3 hours - Photos: Not allowed in the galleries - Location: Paseo del Prado, Banco de España or Atocha metro - Coordinates: 40.41389, -3.69222 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1819** — the museum opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **Villanueva** — architect of the main building (source: English Wikipedia) - **1656** — Velázquez painted Las Meninas (source: English Wikipedia) - **2021** — the Paseo del Prado and Retiro were UNESCO-listed (source: UNESCO, no. 1618) ## About the Prado The architect **Juan de Villanueva** built the stone-and-brick building in the late 18th century for a natural history cabinet, and in **1819** it opened as the royal picture museum. The core of the collection was gathered by Spanish kings over centuries, which is why the Spanish, Flemish and Italian schools are especially strong. With its neighbours, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums, the Prado forms Madrid's **Golden Triangle of Art** along the Paseo del Prado. In **2021** the boulevard and Retiro Park joined the **UNESCO** list as a landscape of arts and sciences. Behind the main building, a new wing in the former Jerónimos cloister hosts temporary exhibitions. ## The masterpieces At the heart of the museum are the galleries of **Velázquez**, court painter to Philip IV. His **Las Meninas** is one of the most enigmatic paintings ever made: the infanta and her attendants, the artist at his easel and the king and queen reflected in a mirror. Nearby hang his equestrian portraits and *The Spinners*. A huge section is devoted to **Goya**, from bright tapestry cartoons and portraits of the royal family to the late Black Paintings, made on the walls of his house. Don't miss **El Greco**'s elongated figures, Hieronymus Bosch's **Garden of Earthly Delights**, teeming with fantastical creatures, or Titian, Rubens and Dürer. ## What to see at the Prado - **Las Meninas** — Velázquez's masterpiece. - **Goya** — from royal portraits to the Black Paintings. - **The Garden of Earthly Delights** — Bosch's triptych. - **El Greco** — elongated figures and vivid colour. - **Titian and Rubens** — the royal collection. - **The Prado Mona Lisa** — a copy from Leonardo's workshop. > **Getting in free** The museum usually opens free in its last two hours, but the queue starts early and there's only time for the main galleries. For a calmer visit, book a morning ticket online. Check the free hours on the official site. ## How to tackle the museum The Prado is vast, and you can't see it all in one go. Pick up the free map of masterpieces at the entrance or download the audio guide: a standard route through the main galleries takes about two hours. Start with Velázquez on the ground floor, go up to Goya, then down to El Greco and Bosch. Photography isn't allowed inside, and large bags go to the cloakroom. There's a café and a shop with good art books. If you want the Thyssen and Reina Sofía too, the Paseo del Arte combined ticket is handy, best split over two days. ## How to get to the Prado 1. Metro: **Banco de España** (L2), a 10-minute walk along the Paseo del Prado. 2. Or **Estación del Arte / Atocha** (L1), a 7-minute walk. 3. From Puerta del Sol, about 15 minutes on foot. 4. The main entrances are Goya (on Calle Felipe IV) and Jerónimos; ticket desks are at Goya. ## Tips for your visit Weekday mornings are quietest, with tour groups arriving towards noon. Wear comfortable shoes, as the corridors are long and benches few. Leafing through reproductions of the key works beforehand helps you find your favourites quickly. After the museum, walk into [Retiro Park](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/retiro-park), whose gate is right behind the Prado, passing the church of San Jerónimo el Real. For food, head across the boulevard to the Barrio de las Letras, full of tapas and vermouth bars. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Book a morning ticket online - [ ] Download the audio guide or masterpiece map - [ ] Find Las Meninas - [ ] See the Garden of Earthly Delights - [ ] Stroll into the Retiro afterwards ## Places in Madrid: compare and choose Places in Madrid rated by YesGo. - [Santiago Bernabéu Stadium](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/santiago-bernabeu) — YesGo score 56/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid - [Prado Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/prado-museum) — YesGo score 52/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid - [Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/thyssen-museum) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Paid - [Reina Sofía Museum](https://yesgo.io/spain/madrid/reina-sofia) — YesGo score 42/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Paid; free evenings ## Don't mix it up The Prado is for the old masters. 20th-century art, Picasso, Dalí and Miró, is in the neighbouring Reina Sofía. ## Tips - Book a morning ticket online. - Free in the last 2 hours. - No photos inside. - The Retiro and Thyssen are next door. ## Questions ### How long do you need at the Prado? 2 to 3 hours for the main galleries. ### When is the Prado free? Usually in the last two opening hours; check the museum's site. ### What should I see first at the Prado? Las Meninas, Goya, El Greco and Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights. ### Does the Prado have Picasso and Dalí? Hardly any: 20th-century art is in the neighbouring Reina Sofía. ### How do I get to the Prado? By metro to Banco de España or Atocha, then a few minutes on foot. ### Can you take photos in the Prado? No, photography isn't allowed in the galleries. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia and UNESCO. Hours, prices and free hours weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - UNESCO: Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro (no. 1618) - English Wikipedia: Museo del Prado - Official site, museodelprado.es --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.