About
The Prado Museum sits on Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón in central Madrid, Spain, within the Community of Madrid. It is also known as the Museo del Prado, and it is one of the world's best-known art museums.
What you will see
The museum's collection is built around painting, and it holds what is described as the most comprehensive collection of Spanish painting from the 12th to the early 19th centuries. Visitors come for masterpieces by three names in particular: Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. Even a short visit can give a clear sense of how Spanish art developed across several centuries.
What kind of visit it makes
- A focused art visit: the collection rewards time spent with individual rooms and works rather than a quick walk-through.
- A survey of Spanish painting: the span of periods makes it a good way to see how styles changed over time.
- A full day in the city: the museum is set in Madrid, so it pairs easily with other sights and neighbourhoods nearby.
If you plan to go, it is worth checking the museum's contact line, +34 913 30 28 00, for current information before you travel, as opening arrangements and visitor details can change.
Around the museum
The Prado is one stop in a city that offers a great deal for art lovers and walkers alike. Madrid's wider cultural life, its streets and its cafés make a natural setting for a museum visit, and many visitors plan their time to take in more than one place in the same day.
