Prado museum in Madrid

The Prado is huge. You could easily spend the whole day there, but most people can't take that much art in one dose. I suggest looking at the museum's website to see what parts of the collection might be of most interest to you. See those first, because it can be difficult to know when you'll poop out.

Unless something has changed since 2016 (which is certainly possible), I don't think the Prado sells timed tickets except for special, extra-cost exhibitions. I don't believe tickets sell out, with the possible exception of special exhibitions and free-entry days. Otherwise, I think the reason for getting a ticket in advance is simply that you might otherwise get hung up in a significant ticket line.

I have not looked at the guidebook, so I cannot comment on its utility. I often use audioguides in art museums, but doing so will really, really slow you down.

FYI - El Prado has free admission Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm to 8pm, or Sundays from 5pm to 8pm. I don't know how crowded it gets during those times. 2-3 hours is enough time for me.

I will also visit Madrid in October and would like to tour the Prado. My background in art is basically nil, so I am interested in a group tour of about 1.5 to 2 hours. I had a tour like that in the Uffizi in Florence and found it invaluable.

Can any of you recommend a company that runs group tours of the Prado?

Thanks

Yes, it's not that advance tickets are "required," and they're not discounted. It's just that the ticket-buying lines can be very long. What I did was buy a ticket in person, but at the end of the day for a few days later. You can buy advance tickets, but you do need to make sure they are for the correct date; they are not timed.

I haven't seen the guide book so I can't comment on that. There are certainly plenty of guide books available in the museum's own shop as well as from other sources (including in the US, if you want to look ahead of time). So, I wouldn't buy it as part of the ticket.

As for how long the Prado "takes to see," it can take days, as it's not only very large, but has room after room of great pieces (it's not one of those places with a few great pieces and a lot of second rate stuff). However, there's a limit to how much art viewing one can absorb in one sitting. I'd say allowing three hours is good; by then you'll be too overwhelmed and will want a break.

Laneygayle - As far as I know, the Prado doesn't require advance tickets, but they are definitely a good idea. The Prado offers a free brochure with pictures and the locations of the most popular works. That was enough for us. You can always buy a guide book at one of the gift shops inside the museum if you decide that you want one. We were there for about 2.5 hours.

The Naval Museum is close to the Prado and they "suggest" a donation of 2-3 Euros. This museum is worth a visit for a look at the first known map of the Western Hemisphere.

I have been to the Prado musuem three times (one of my favorite places to visit when I come to Madrid). Last October, I took my husband, who is not a museum fan. We arrived in Madrid in the early afternoon and did not have tickets to the Prado and on a Wednesday in early October, there was no line. We used the RS information from the guide book to hit the highlights. We did not get the guidebook, so I can’t comment on its value. We stayed about 1.5 hours.

Have a great trip,
Sandy

Thanks guys! Great information.

The motive for the advance tickets it to not only avoid the lines, but we arrive on a Thursday late afternoon via train from Barcelona, then we'll be headed to the Prado the day after. So we won't have the luxury of buying them a few days in advance while we are there.

Sounds almost like the Louvre in Paris (the size).

Good to know about the guidebooks! I'll pass. No pun intended.

Lastly, any other suggestions outside of the park, crystal palace, and naval museum to be sure to check out on the east side of town?

Thanks again!
Laneygayle

The Reina Sofia is near the Prado, Retiro Park and the Atocha train station. This museum concentrates on modern art. The blue link goes to visiting info which includes venues, maps and info on tours. Just keep scrolling.

Picasso's Guernica is there. It's the only painting in one room. It's worth visiting the Reina Sofia to see this one piece. The Wikipedia link has an excellent description and history of the painting.

The Thyssen-Bornemisza has a fine collection of European painting, much of it Impressionist. The collection starts chronologically where the Prado leaves off, and then the Reina Sofia continues where the Thyssen ends. Take your passports if you want to visit the Naval Museum (think golden age of exploration). The Thyssen is near the Prado, with the Naval Museum between them.