Museo del Prado

Madrid, Spain

Museo del Prado is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It is widely considered to have one of the world's finest collections of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, and the single best collection of Spanish art. Founded as a museum of paintings and sculpture in 1819, it also contains important collections of other types of works.

El Prado is one of the most visited sites in the world, and it is considered one of the greatest art museums in the world. The numerous works by Francisco Goya, the single most extensively represented artist, as well as by Hieronymus Bosch, El Greco, Peter Paul Rubens, Titian, and Diego Velázquez, are some of the highlights of the collection.

The collection currently comprises around 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures, in addition to a large number of other works of art and historic documents.

The best-known work on display at the museum is Las Meninas by Velázquez. Velázquez and his keen eye and sensibility were also responsible for bringing much of the museum's fine collection of Italian masters to Spain, now the largest outside Italy.

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Founded: 1819
Category: Museums in Spain

User Reviews

Jose Ricardo (14 months ago)
Walking this place was such a powerful experience, I've never felt my hair raising from looking at a painting. I literally shed some tears with some of these pieces...amazing collection of priceless art. Go in the afternoon for shorter lines and cheaper entrance fee. Ask the staff questions, they are really helpful. The place is clean, the lighting is amazing and the overall elegance is just superb! Best museum I have ever been. Go, don't miss it...
David Beilis (2 years ago)
Prado Museum is probably one of the top highlights of your visit on multiple trips to Madrid. The art work is very impressive and could easily compared to other top national galleries in the world. It has a great collection of the most famous Spanish artists and I would suggest to break your visit to multiple days. I was able to take a few shots that probably will not represent the richness of the general exhibition alone. We were lucky not spend too much time in a line up. However, I would recommend buying tickets in advance. I hope you enjoy your visit. Thank you!
Piotr M. Romaniuk (2 years ago)
Fantastic museum with beautiful collection. One should plan 3 - 4 hours to see everything without pacing. The only disappointing thing is the entry - this could be definitely organized better, also another point - the map of the museum could be also designed somehow better with a kind of route to follow. Sometimes you need to wonder in which room exactly you are. Minor improvements, but above all - absolutely worth visiting
Harry Marshall (2 years ago)
I went here after doing some acid in the park. I highly recommend it. Great fun for the whole family. Particularly the Hieronymus Bosch exhibition was both a window into my own soul and it's many desires, as well as a mirror that allowed me to cast my gaze back and see myself for the true being that i am. Good bathroom facilities also.
Paul P (2 years ago)
I am not a fan of the Renaissance, but the collection was well displayed and the galleries large and filled with light. Saw all of the must sees and enjoyed it. Don't miss the Bosch room. Dude was off the rails. Buy tickets in advance or you will wait on line for hours.
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