Prado Museum Tickets & Guide 2026 | Madrid's Great Art Gallery

By Emma · Updated 10 October 2026 · 3 min read

TL;DR

Tickets have a time slot, so book online to skip the ticket queue
Entry to the collection is free for the last two hours every day, but queues form early
Open daily; closed only on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December
Photography isn't allowed in the galleries

Type: Museum
Where: Madrid
Time needed: 2-4 hours
Admission: from about €15 (2026), free for the last two hours daily

The Museo Nacional del Prado opened in 1819 to show off the Spanish royal art collection, and two centuries later it remains one of the finest museums on earth. Its strength is depth rather than size: room after room of masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Titian, Rubens and Bosch. Along with the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, it forms the "Golden Triangle of Art" that makes Madrid a must for art lovers.

What you'll see

The collection is too big to see in one go, so pick your highlights:

Velázquez: Las Meninas, the most discussed painting in Spanish art, plus his royal portraits and The Surrender of Breda.
Goya: from cheerful tapestry designs and royal portraits to The Third of May 1808 and the haunting Black Paintings, once painted on the walls of his house.
Hieronymus Bosch: The Garden of Earthly Delights, a triptych so packed with strange detail you could stare for an hour.
El Greco, Titian and Rubens: elongated saints, Venetian colour and fleshy Flemish drama.
Fra Angelico and Dürer: The Annunciation and Dürer's self-portrait are small treasures worth seeking out.

Pick up a free map at the entrance; it marks around 50 star works, which is a sensible route for a first visit.

Tickets and opening hours

General admission: €15 in 2026, the same online and at the ticket office. It includes the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions.
Reduced: €7.50 for over-65s, youth card holders and some other groups.
Audio guide: €5 extra.
Free hours: the last two hours before closing, every day: Monday to Saturday 6pm-8pm, Sunday and holidays 5pm-7pm. Free tickets are issued at the ticket office only, subject to capacity.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday and holidays 10am-7pm. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, with shorter hours on 6 January and 24 and 31 December. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Book a timed ticket on the official Prado website to avoid the ticket queue, and check current prices before you go.

The free evening slot is great value but busy, and two hours goes quickly. If you only have one visit, pay for a morning ticket and come back for a free top-up of your favourite rooms another evening.

Practical tips

Entrances: individual ticket holders usually enter via the Puerta de los Jerónimos at the modern extension behind the main building. Large bags must be left in the free cloakroom.
Photography: not allowed in the galleries, which makes for a calmer visit.
Getting there: Banco de España (line 2) and Atocha (line 1 and Cercanías trains) are both a short walk away.
Breaks: there is a café inside, and the Retiro Park is just behind the museum for a picnic afterwards.

Flights from London to Madrid take about 2 hours 20 minutes. If you have more time in Spain, the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor are a 20-minute walk away.

Where is Prado Museum?

Open in OpenStreetMap · 40.41390, -3.69220

Frequently asked questions

How long do you need at the Prado?

Two to three hours covers the highlights at a comfortable pace. Art lovers can easily spend a whole day.

Is the Prado free on certain days?

Entry to the collection is free during the last two hours of every opening day, rather than on specific days. Some special dates are free all day; check the official site.

Can I see Las Meninas without queuing?

With a timed online ticket you skip the ticket line, but expect a crowd in front of the painting itself. It's quieter first thing in the morning.

Is the Prado good for children?

Under-18s get in free, and the museum runs family activities, but stick to a short list of highlights to keep it fun.

Written by

Emma City breaks & deals editor

Emma plans city breaks the way other people plan the weekly shop: on a budget, with a spreadsheet and a backup plan. She covers city guides and deal-hunting.