I have been there, but it was in 2005. Madrid was my last city on a 17 day trip and I was pretty "museumed out" by the time I visited El Prado. I remember just breezing thru the place. Well I am planning a real short visit to Madrid just to revisit El Prado and then I am off to Seville. So I am willing to take more time this time but need to time my visit with getting on a train to Seville, too. So I am curious as to how long it took you to visit El Prado. Did you breeze thru it or did it take you multiple hours?
Kelly
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
It's been a few years but I think it was three or four hours. The Thyssen is right nearby and is also a great museum.
Posted by
Windsor, CO, USA
54 posts
Hi Kelly,
If I recall correctly, you want your husband to see El Prado. I was there for a return visit this year with family who had not been before; we spent something like 3+ hours. We had done the Reina Sofia in the morning, had lunch, and then went to El Prado for the afternoon. The next day we went to the Thyssen - also a spectacular museum, and we spent 3 or 4 hours there, too. I know, you only want to go to El Prado! Don't just "breeze through it." Allow sufficient time in your itinerary to do it justice.
Posted by
San Jose, CA
1994 posts
I'd suggest looking at their website to refamiliarize yourself with the collection since you're the best person to decide how much time YOU need. I spent 2 full days in the Prado on my last visit, but I particularly love El Greco so I wanted the time. It's not a huge museum, so if you're not particularly drawn to specific paintings, a half day may be enough. And I noticed folks recommended the Thyssen. It is lovely and I also would recommend it, although the quality of the art generally doesn't compare to the Prado. So I wouldn't take time away from the Prado to do the Thyssen, if your time is limited.
Posted by
OP
St Petersburg Florida
951 posts
About the other museums in the area.....oh I am intrigued. I can't remember if I did reina Sofia or the thyssen on my first trip. I was pretty fried by the end of my trip. There is a possibility that I could hit up Madrid toward end of my trip before heading toward Barcelona. I can consider seeing one or both of the other two, prior to boarding an evening train to Barcelona.
My flight lands at 9:30. I figure I can be in madrid's center by around 11:30 or so. Then spend 3-4 hours in el Prado before I take the 5pm train to Sevilla. If I get in the center before 11:30, I'm gonna race to plaza del sol for some churros con chocolate. I think I will google if there is a chocolateria near el Prado and or atocha. Unless you all know of one...... Edit: found one close to atocha. Metro stop Anton marton. It's simply called Chocolat, 30 Santa Maria. Rave reviews with most people saying its better than the 2 places RS suggests.
Posted by
Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
629 posts
In April 2010 we visited El Prado twice for about 3 hours each time. We arrived at opening time and left in time for a late lunch. That is about the limit of my attention span (not my wife's). Once the school classes arrive it is about time for me to leave. I really wish that museums would have set hours for groups and guides and some special quiet hours for those of us who enjoy their art in silence.
Posted by
Formerly Athens
72 posts
There are so many wonderful pieces of artwork to see at the Prado. I would spend a few minutes of the Prado's website to see what interests you the most. Then, spend the full 3-4 hours you mentioned above at the museum, but start with what interests you the most. Everything else will just add to the experience. Also, when my friend and I were in Spain in Jan/Feb 2011 we stayed near the Prado and had churros at Chocolat twice. They were delicious and it would only take a few minutes to walk there from the museum.