Tour conducted by the Prado Museum 60 minutes for 10 €

First off, there is no tour that will cover the Prado in a day or even two. It is huge. I don't think you could walk through all of the rooms in one day. The daily tour is quick overview of the collections. Very good and very useful as to understanding the layout and collections and a little insight in a couple of galleries. Not sure how elementary students would respond. I would think that they would get bored in a hurry.

Frank,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply. What I was getting at is: 1. is the tour conducted by the Museum good or should I go through a tour company because a small group tour from a company would be superior. :) Have a great weekend. I can only last 2 hours in any museum, after that the crowds wear me out.

I guess I don't know what you want the tour to do. I would view the museum tour as more of an orientation tour -- but it was fine, provided good info. A year or so later we hired one of the guides that hangs around the entrance. Two hours, 30 euro -- something like that. This time the guide asked specifically what did we want to see. Our interests were the old masters -- El Greco, Goya and if time permits newer masters like Picasso, Miro, Dali. And that is exact what he showed us with good detailed knowledge. He led us directly to those galleries exhibiting those painters. It was excellent.

Agree with Frank.

Furthermore, I genrally prefer to visit museums at my own pace, so I can skim through some places and linger in others. Also, Madrid's in-house guides have a hard earned reputions for being walking tape recorders. Private guides are a differnt matter.)

Maybe there is a kid-friendly audo guide or podcast-visit?

Agree with all of the above. You can't see everything in a day. I suggest doing some research on the collection and concentrating on those you are most interested in. For most, Las Meninas will be on their list along with Goya (the black stuff is particularly intriguing), and if you appreciate the bizarre like I do, Hieronymous Bosch.

I clearly articulated my request for answers to my query in the wrong way.

I was asking if I should buy a guided tour from a tour company to see the highlights of the Prado Museum (i.e. 1.5-2.0 hrs), OR should I take the 60-minute guided tour of the collection offered by the Prado itself.

Having a minor in fine art, and living in Philadelphia with the Art Museum a stone's throw away which I regularly visit, I'm well aware that you can't see everything in one day. That was not my question, nor did I ask that question.

This question is now closed because I've already purchased my selection. Thank you, no further comments are required.