VISIT THE PRADO MUSEUM

A must-see museum
Inaugurated in 1819, the Prado is now one of the most visited art museums in the world. Housed in a majestic neoclassical building designed by the architect Juan de Villanueva, it contains over 8,000 paintings, including 1,300 on permanent display.

Why visit?
It is the best collection of Spanish art in the world, with major works by Velázquez (The Meninas), Goya (The shootings on 3 May), and El Greco. But the Prado also houses works by the great masters of Italy (Titian, Raphael), Flanders (Rubens, Van Dyck) and Germany (Dürer). Each room tells the story of a chapter in the history of European art.

A brief history and anecdotes
The building was originally designed to house a natural science cabinet, before becoming a royal museum. Anecdote: one of the most mysterious paintings in the Prado, The Garden of Delights by Jérôme Bosch, fascinates by its visionary style and its still debated symbolism.

What can you do there?
- To admire The Meninas by Velázquez, the museum's masterpiece
- Contemplate The Garden of Delights by Jérôme Bosch
- Discover the Goya collection, from portraits to black paintings
- Explore the galleries of Italian and Flemish painting
- Enjoy prestigious temporary exhibitions

Where is it?
📍 Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain
👉 See on Google Maps

Practical advice
- Admission: around €15 (free from 6pm to 8pm on weekdays and from 5pm to 7pm on Sundays)
- Allow at least 2 to 3 hours (or even a full day) for a complete visit
- Book online to avoid queuing
- Accessible by metro (Banco de España and Atocha stations)
- Guided tour recommended to better understand the masterpieces

To discover around
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
- Reina Sofía Museum
- Royal Botanic Garden
- Paseo del Prado (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Audioguide
🎧 Listen to our immersive description of the Prado Museum on History Guide City Madrid !
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