Plan Your Prado Museum Visit | Hours & Directions

What's the best time to visit Prado Museum?

Prado Museum is a stellar attraction. It is one of the most popular museums worldwide and a must-visit on your trip to Madrid. You can visit the museum whenever you want to, but certain days and months are better for thorough exploration.

Weekdays are the best time to visit the Prado Museum. The museum opens at 10 AM, and it is best to arrive shortly after. Fewer people are around on weekdays than on weekends, allowing you time to check out the various paintings and artworks at your convenience. You can spend an extended duration at the attraction.

Weekends are crowded. The rush will hamper your experience, as several visitors will explore the same highlights with you.

Also, try visiting Prado Museum in Madrid during Spring or Autumn. The weather is delightful, with plenty of sunshine, milder rains, and pleasant temperatures. Autumn, falling between September to November isn’t a bad time either. The winter lasts from December to January in Madrid, with temperature dropping to sub-zero. It isn’t an ideal time to visit the Prado Museum, but you’ll get discounted rates at hotels and restaurants.

Where is the Prado Museum located?

Address: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain

Find On Map

Prado Museum lies in central Madrid. It is located on Carrer de Ruiz de Alarcon, near the Neptune Fountain and Real Jardin Botanico.

Closest Landmark: Plaza de las Cortes, 400 m away

Prado Museum Location

Getting to the Prado Museum in Madrid

By Public Transportation

By Metro: Take line 2 to Retiro or line 1 to Estacio Del Arte. You can also use Atocha (Blue Line 1) or Banco de España (Red Line 2).

By Bus: Catch buses E1, N2, or N3 to Cibeles station, a seven-minute walk from the museum. Alternatively, lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37, or 45 stop near the Prado Museum.

By Taxi: Taxis are also an option to reach Prado Museum in Madrid. You can catch a taxi from anywhere in the city and reach the attraction, although it will cost more than other means of commuting.

By Car

Prado Museum is accessible by car, but driving to the attraction isn’t advised. Madrid is a busy city and faces heavy traffic daily. However, if you still want to drive to the attraction, take the C. de la Cruz from Madrid city center.

Based on the traffic, you should reach the attraction in under 15 minutes. You can access all five entrances although parking isn’t available in the museum.

Parking Facilities

Prado Museum is close to several parking facilities like:

Parking Las Cortes, which is five minutes from the Prado Museum.
Parking Atocha 70 | iPark, which is 700 meters away.
Parking ok rent car, which is six minutes away.

Know before you go to Prado Museum

Book tickets online: Buying an online ticket is one of the best ways to skip the lines at Prado Museum. Online tickets offer privileged access to the attraction. You can show your ticket and directly enter without waiting in the queue.
Go early: Going early in the morning is a smart way to avoid the rush at Prado Museum entrances. There are few visitors around early in the morning.
Get a guided tour: Guided tour tickets to Prado Museum provide express entry. You can walk inside the attraction without standing in the queue and learn fascinating things about the place thanks to a guide.

Prado Museum Skip the Line Tickets

Puerta de Velázquez: Puerta de Velázquez is the main entrance to the Prado Museum, located right at the front. It is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Puerta de Goya Alta: Located on the western side of the Prado Museum, this entrance features an automated ticket machine and is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Puerta de Goya Baja: Located on the western side next to the Puerta de Goya Alta entrance, Puerta de Goya Baja is a Prado Museum entrance open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Puerta de los Jerónimos: Puerta de los Jerónimos is located on the eastern side of the ground floor of the museum. It is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Puerta de Murillo: The Puerta de Murillo entrance is on the eastern side of the Prado Museum. It is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.

Prado Museum Entrances

Lift: Prado Museum has multiple levels. You can access them using lifts.
Audio Guides: Audio guides are available in multiple languages to help you learn fascinating things about the attraction.
Library: Prado Museum’s rich and extensive library provides incredible detail about different artists, movements, and cultures.
Cafeteria: You can enjoy refreshments in the cafeteria inside Prado Museum.
Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available inside Prado Museum.
Gift shop: Remember your time at Prado Museum with a souvenir bought from the gift shop.

Prado Museum offers audio guides to help you learn fascinating things about the attraction. You can get audio guides in several languages like English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German.

Prado Museum is a modern facility fit for all visitors. It is wheelchair accessible, with lifts present to help visitors in a wheelchair move around the place. The wheelchair entrance to the attraction is Puerta de los Jeronimos, located towards the back of the museum, facing the western side.

Meeting point - Buy a Real Madrid football kit at this convenience store next to Prado Museum.
Lòe Shop - Lòe Shop is a clothing store near the Prado Museum. It is open from 11 AM to 9 PM Monday to Saturday.
Sin Nombre - Sin Nombre is a convenience store, where you can buy water and clothes.
Loe Shop - Grab the latest in Spanish fashion at Loe Shop.
From Madrid With Love S.L - From Madrid With Love S.L is a souvenir store, where you can buy gifts and souvenirs to remember your time in the Spanish city.

SteakBurger Bar - SteakBurger Bar is an excellent place to enjoy a delicious hamburger in the middle of Madrid. The restaurant also serves other American staples.
Dim Sum Market - Dim Sum Market is your go-to Dim sum restaurant in Madrid. Enjoy Asian staples before or after your visit to the Prado Museum.
Caravan Cafe - Caravan Cafe is a brunch restaurant. You can grab a coffee and delish Spanish breakfast before heading to the Prado Museum.
Indian Restaurant - Indian Restaurant is where you go if you're craving Indian food in Madrid. It is next to the Prado Museum and serves spicy but delicious Indian food.

Budget - Mercure Madrid Centro (300 m), Hostal Gonzalo (400 m), I HOST YOU HOSTAL BOUTIQUE (350 m)

Mid-range - DoubleTree by Hilton Madrid - Prado (500 m), NH Collection Madrid Paseo del Prado (220 m), Hotel Villa Real (500 m)

Luxury - Hotel Palacio Del Retiro, Autograph Collection (600 m), The Principal Madrid Hotel (900 m)

Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum - Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is a premium museum showcasing European art from the 13th to 20th centuries. It is one-third of the Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid.

Reina Sofia Museum - Part of the three of the Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid, the museum features vital 20th-century Spanish artworks.

Plaza Mayor - Plaza Mayor is the most lively main square of Madrid. Enjoy coffee or a drink as you see Madrid flow by.

Puerta del Sol - Puerta del Sol is also known as the Gate of the Sun. It is one of the most important and busiest main squares in the city.

Royal Botanic Garden - The Royal Botanic Garden, aka the Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, was created in 1755. It covers 8 hectares with stunning flowers and lush plants.

Clothes: While there’s no dress code, ensure you wear respectful and appropriate clothing to the museum.
Tickets: Arrive 10-20 minutes before the time of their visit.
Group visits: A maximum of 10 people are allowed in groups.
Staff: Ensure you listen to the staff regarding rules inside the museum. Avoid touching things inside the attraction.
Luggage: Backpacks, suitcases, and other luggage can be deposited in the cloakroom.

Best time to visit - Arrive early in the morning, preferably between 10-11 AM to beat the rush.
Payment - ATM cards are the preferred mode of payment inside the Prado Museum.
Arrive early - Your tickets have a time slot. Ensure you arrive 10-20 minutes early.
Avoid photography - Photography is prohibited inside the museum.
Gifts - You do not need to go outside to buy souvenirs. Prado Museum has a gift shop where you can buy things to remember your trip.