Madrid museums - Skip the lines - HELP!

I purchased advance tickets online to the Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. At all three museums, we only had to show our ticket and go though a quick security check. There weren't really any lines except at RS.

We lined up at RS about 15 minutes before opening, and we were second in line. We went straight to Guernica. A tour group had beat us there, so there were about 25 people already in front of the painting. They had to have had a separate entrance because they were not in line behind us. So I found that after they cleared out, the painting was more easily accessible. We stayed in the area of Guernica looking at other art for about 20 more minutes, and when I walked back past it again, there were even less people. So I stopped and took another look. I can't say what it was like later in the day. My advice would be to be there early and line up early.

BTW--Guernica is much larger than I was expecting. Many visitors can fit in front of it. I will also say that when we were there, people were very respectful about not blocking others' view of the painting.

I didn't do the Arte pass because of the same confusion you are experiencing. I found it easier to purchase separate tickets online ahead of time.

thank you slbdaisy - very helpful. Esp your comments on the Guernica. I studied it as part of my Politics and French degree and have always loved it and always found new things to see in it every time - I have always had a framed poster of this painting in my house and it has been my dream since I graduated over 30 years ago to see it 'for real', and I am basically going to Madrid specifically to see this painting, and filling in the time I'm there with other things after that! Yes I am thinking that it is looking better to buy tickets seperately for each museum. But if I do this online directly with each museum (ie and not through a 'get your guide/tiquets/viator' site) do I still get to skip the queues?

Guernica is 11.5 feet tall and 25.5 feet long. It fills one wall of the room it’s in.

The last time I was in that museum, photos in that room were prohibited, but that rule seems to change. I’ve been there when they were permitted. If you’re visiting that museum pretty much just to see Guernica, I suggest going during the free hours. They are, Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 7:00-9:00pm, and Sunday 12:30-2:30pm. That would save you some money.

While there was a line for the free hours, it moved very quickly once the doors opened. The line for the Prado’s free hours was much longer and moved slower. In mid-October, since it is off season, the line at RS shouldn’t be too bad.

Yes, I purchased directly from the museums. They don't specifically have skip the line tickets, but as I mentioned, there weren't any lines. We literally walked right into the Prado and T-B at our specified time. There was no line and no wait. Definitely get to the RS before opening or you may have a line. Those tickets are not timed. We were there in mid-August.

We were allowed to take photos of Guernica in August, 2024.

Just buy timed tickets online from the museum websites.

Here's how to see Guernica without anyone else in the room besides the guard:

1. Get a timed ticket for 10am on the Reina Sofia website, it will be 12 Euros.

2. Go the entrance on Rda. de Atocha, the south side of the museum facing the street. There's going to be a metal gate blocking you from walking into the courtyard if you arrived before 10am. The courtyard has the main entrance, a small outdoor cafe, the entrance to the library and the ticket office.

3. Walk past the ticket office to the entrance where they'll scan your ticket.

4. Take the elevator on the right to the 2nd floor. You'll have to scan your ticket again to enter the permanent collections on the 2nd floor. Guernica is in room 205-10, it's pretty impossible to miss, and it's noted on the map. https://www.museoreinasofia.es/sites/default/files/planos/planosmuseo.pdf

5. If you follow that, you can see Guernica without any tour groups or crowds like I did recently.

The Paseo del Arte pass forum comments suggest that it doesn't help you skip any lines at the Prado and there is varying and inconsistent information on where to buy it, buying it from a museum means you have to go to that museum first to exchange it for tickets, all very confusing and certainly not high-tech!

Correct.

A week ago, on a Monday, we walked into Reina Sofia with no wait at around 5PM. We were surprised to find that admission is free for persons over 65. Our primary purpose, too, was to see Guernica but we spent some time first viewing some Dali and Miro so got to Guernica around 5:30PM. We expected a “mosh pit “ in front of the painting but that was not the case. There was a small crowd but, due to the size of the room and the painting itself, it was easy to get unobstructed views. Taking photos was permitted. By the time we left a long line for the free entry hours, 7-9PM, had formed.

thank you for all your most useful replies, esp. those relating to tips on viewing the Guernica without the crowds - much appreciated.
I have decided to ditch the Paseo del Arte card idea and book directly online with the museums - I realise that I can get free entry to Reine Sofia in the evenings but have now bought a ticket so I can get there before opening time first thing as I want this to be the first thing I see in Madrid! Oh, and btw, if you buy a ticket to the Reine Sofia online, it is valid for that whole day and you can go in the morning and return at a later time that same day (this doesn't apply to the other two museums btw, just the RS - their tickets only allow you in the once) - so I have the option to try again if my first visit fails to live up to my expectations! Olé!