Museo Nacional del Prado is the largest museum in Spain. Museo del Prado is often called the Louvre of Madrid. Its art collection includes works by painters like Velázquez, Rubens and Goya. In this post, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know: ticket prices, schedule, what you need to see, etc. You can find my complete Madrid City Guide here.
HOW TO GET THERE
- Metro:
Banco de España, line 2;
Atocha, line 1.
SCHEDULE
- Monday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Thursday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Public holidays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- 1 January, 1 May, 25 December: closed
TICKET PRICE
- General Ticket: €7,50
- General Ticket + ‘Guide book of the Prado’: €16,05
- Reduced Ticket: €3,75
Free access:
- Monday to Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Sundays and holidays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Museo del Prado
It’s one of the most popular museums in Madrid and one of the most important art museums in the world. The building was designed by Juan de Villanueva and was opened in 1819. There’s a lot to see there so, if you’re an art fan like me, I suggest you take a whole morning or afternoon to explore the museum. By the way, no photos allowed inside the museum.
Note: Here you can download a map/plan of the Prado Museum.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SEE
I found it easier to organize the visit by levels.
LEVEL 0
- Scenes from The Story of Nastagio degli Onesti (Botticelli)
These panels illustrate the story of Nastagio degli Onesti. It’s the story of a young man from Ravenna who was rejected by Paolo Traversari’s daughter and left the city.
Location: room 056B
LEVEL 1
- El 2 de Mayo (Goya)
It describes the popular riot of May 2, 1808, when the people of Madrid attacked the Turkish soldiers of Napoleon’s French army. This was the beginning of the war for independence.
Location: room 032
- El 3 de Mayo (Goya)
A representation of the execution of patriots from Madrid by a firing squad in Napoleon’s army in retaliation for their uprising against the French occupation on May 2, 1808.
Location: room 032
- Saturno devorando a su hijo (Goya)
According to the traditional interpretation, it describes the Greek myth of Saturn, who, fearing that he would be defeated by one of his sons, ate each one upon their birth.
Location: room 029
- David vencedor de Goliat (Caravaggio)
It’s a painting by Caravaggio, the master of chiaroscuro technique, as you can see. Chiaroscuro is the use of strong contrasts between light and shadow, creating a dramatic atmosphere in the painting. It shows David as a young boy holding the giant Goliath’s head.
Location: room 008B
- Las Tres Gracias (Rubens)
This painting is a scene from roman mythology. The 3 graces are 3 daughters of Jupiter, the most important roman god of all. They represent beauty, love and generosity.
Location: room 029
- Las Meninas (Velázquez)
Experts say it’s one of the best paintings of art history. Infanta Margarita is the protagonist and Velázquez portrays himself while painting a huge painting.
Location: room 012
- Los Borrachos (Velázquez)
The painting shows Bacchus surrounded by drunk men. The painting represents Bacchus as the god who rewards or gives away wine to men, temporarily releasing them from their problems.
Location: room 012
- La Rendición de Breda (Velázquez)
It’s considered one of Velázquez’s best works. It represents a military victory and the painter captured the end of the battle.
Location: room 028
- La Maja Desnuda (Goya)
Goya paints a naked woman lying on a sofa. The Inquisition considered this painting indecent so they questioned Goya about who she was. The truth is that no one knows the woman’s name.
Location: room 036
- Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci Workshop)
The Prado’s Mona Lisa may have been painted simultaneously by a student of Leonardo in the same studio where he painted his own Mona Lisa, so it is considered the replica with the most historical value.
Location: room 056B
I hope you find this guide useful. Am I forgetting something? Do you have any tips you want to share? Are you planning to go there when this whole coronavirus situation is over?
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