I don't think this question has been answered recently. I'll be in Madrid next month and was looking into reserving tickets for the Palace as well as the Prada and Reina Sofia. I was hoping someone might have tips on visiting the museums and the Palace using a combo ticket, if available. Which website is good for reserving tickets (i.e. official website of each museum or a decent tour company offer.) Has anyone used the Paseo Del Art card? These are the sites I am most interested in:
Prado (see on one of the free evenings maybe?)
Reina Sofia (I am most interested in seeing Picasso's Guernica sinceI was recently in Guernica.)
Royal Palace.
Add Museo Thyssen?
Just looking for a good way to see these over the course of the 3 full days I am in Madrid.
Thanks!!!
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4574 posts
I never considered a card for museums and the Palace, but I visited all these places. Granted I was there in November 2017. I lucked into Palace entry on the city's Saint Day. I had some congestion, but no line ups. When I left (after all the parades and pomp was done) the line up was to the street.
I decided to brave the Reina Sofia on a Sunday free entry time as I really only wanted to see Guernica and the immediate area. So I paid separately for Prado and the Thyssen. I also paid extra for a special Telouse Latreche exhibit. I really enjoyed that museum despite it's criticisms.
I know it doesn't help your planning, but I think you would be wise to prebook time slots where you can, given that it is July travel.
I also stayed near the museums so I could be there for opening hours. I arrived early for Prado (and stayed 7 hours).
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
No experience with the passes, but I'll offer these thoughts:
I find most of the Reina Sofia unremarkable, but Guernica is stunning. The free access times there might suffice.
The Thyssen is quite poorly curated. The bulk is nice, but unremarkable European impressionism. The floor of American art is haphazard, at best. Hudson Valley School, O'Keeffe, Rothko, and Richard Estes, and more all hung in a hodgepodge, sharing no commonality except for country of origin.
Meanwhile, some of Madrid's lesser know, smaller museums are true gems: the Academy of Fine Arts, the Sorolla, the Naval Museum, the Cerralbo, and more. They might not all fit in three days, but could be time better spent than some of the over-hyped headliners.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Thank you for your replies!