Hello- I am going to Madrid soon with anticipation of seeing their "Big three" museums. Has anyone out there ever used the Paseo del Arte museum pass? Once I've purchased it at one of the museums will this pass allow me to skip the lines at the remaining two museums? Thanks for your help.
Here is my plan for 4 days in Madrid utilising the free museum times
Sunday
1000 Museo Sorolla (Free Sun: 1000-1500)
Metro Brown Line 7 from Gregorio Maranon to Islas Filipinas
1130 Museo de America (Free Sun: 1000-1500)
Walk via Temple of Debod to
1300 Museo Cerralbo (Free Sun: 1000-1500)
Metro Yellow Line 3 from Plaza Espana to Lavapies
1500 Reina Sofia (Free Sun: 1330-1900)
Monday
1000 Royal Palace (€10)
1200 Almudena Cathedral
1300 Thyssen Bornemisza (Free Mon: 1200-1600)
1600 Late afternoon stroll thru El Retiro Park
Tuesday
1000 Monastery of Las Descalzas Reales (€6)
1200 Monastery de la Encarnacion (€6)
1400 Walking – Plaza Mayor, Basilica de San Francisco el Grande, La Latina
1800 Prado (Free Tue: 1800-2000)
Wednesday
1000 Walking – Puerta del Sol, Fuencarral-Chueca-Hortaleza, Gran Via
1300 Real Academia de Bellas Artes (Free Wed: 1000-1500)
Metro Green Line 5 from Gran Via to Nunez de Balboa
1530 Museo Lazaro Galdiano (Free Wed: 1530-1630)
1630 Walking – Calle de Serrano to Puerta de Alcala and Plaza de Cibeles
1800 Prado (Free Wed: 1800-2000)
We were very disappointed in the Paseo -- I assumed it would allow line skipping and so even though at my age could have had free or reduced admission bought it for that purpose. It worked that way at the Thyssen -- but at the other two museums we had to line up as regular ticket buyers to exchange the voucher tab on the Paseo for a regular ticket. So we paid more than we needed to and got no line advantage. This was particularly annoying at the Prado where the lines were long. We tried to use the pass/tab for entry and were turned back to the regular ticket line.
Janettravels44
www.janettravels.wordpress.com
I have never encountered lines at the museums. Maybe I have just had lucky timing? I mean, there has never been more than one or two people ahead of me. I last saw the Thyssen on a Saturday morning (in August), so you would think it would have been busy.
Hello- These were exactly the answers I needed. I think I will forgo the Passeo card and take my chances since it doesn't allow quick access to the museums without standing in lines. The reply including a good inexpensive museum itinerary during the week was helpful also. Thanks All- George
In August 2009 I waited small amounts of time at both the Prado and Reina Sofia.
I am certain it was the weekend, but it was nothing to be a bother.
Especially at the Prado, they are well equipped for crowds.