I want to buy tickets to the Prado and understand that I have to select a time to see the temporary exhibit. Because the Prado is very large, I'd have to be very selective of what we see in the Permanent Collection. Therefore, I wonder if I should select a time to see the temporary exhibit Velazquez, Rembrandt, Vermeer. Parallel Visions at the beginning of the visit or at the end. I have no clue where it is even placed within the museum's physical space. By the way, I am devoting an entire day to this visit and plan on taking a lunch break. Thank you in advance.
Posted by
Washington DC
28102 posts
I would generally opt to see the paid exhibition at the beginning of my visit as long as my anticipated meal time did not conflict. Otherwise, I would constantly be checking the time, and I might find myself at the farthest point in the museum when I had to stop and head for the exhibition.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7952 posts
Our last Prado visit was in October 2013, so things might be different now, but we arrived in the early morning, expecting to just enter the main museum. Upon arriving, we discovered there was a temporary Velasquez exhibit just to the left of the desk where we’d entered, as opposed to turning rightwards into the main museum. It was early in the day, so we were able to pay extra and get right in to the temp. exhibit for maybe 20 minutes, then move into the main museum.
Inside the main part, trying to follow Rick Steves’ suggested itinerary, we were immediately shut out of a big gallery room, due to some kind of TV filming taking place for the day! We continued, but as you said, Yvonne, it’s an immense place, and jet lag hit partway through. Your situation may be very different, but we had to end our visit somewhat early, too sleepy and fatigued to continue, and would’ve not been able to see the temp. exhibit if we hadn’t seen it at the start.
I’m making a point of sleeping more on the plane going over, getting my body clock in sync, and haven’t hit the energy wall quite the same since. But see the temp. exhibit early, then enjoy the rest of the museum and lunch at your pace.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
I prefer to do anything timed early in the visit. I spent 7 hours (including a short, lunch break and the wait to enter) in the Prado one November. I covered every room in the main building. Some were at a stop at each picture pace,,others were a slightly steady move pace as those rooms didn't appeal as much. Not being able to take photos kept my mind focused on the now more and I really enjoyed one less distraction. Having to check the time consrantly would have made things less pleasant.
Posted by
OP
Sacramento, California, USA
136 posts
Thank you for your replies. As it turns out, I heard from someone at The Prado who said the temporary exhibit is at the Geronimos entrance which makes the choice easy. We will do the temporary exhibit first.
Posted by
Chicago
8561 posts
The other strategy for the Prado is to head for the Spanish masters after the special exhibit so you don't wear out before you get to the most important work. I can see lots of the other material at the museum elsewhere and have (similar, same artists etc) but the huge number of great Spanish artists at the Prado is what makes it worth it for me. I only wish we had allocated two days for it. We felt the Thyssen was a bit of a waste and the Reina Sophia entirely a waste except for the Guernica which we had seen before (but of course was magnificent to see again) -- we did those first and if we had done the Prado first, we probably would have just skipped one of the others for a second day there.