Madrid 3-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Madrid to get the most from your trip – a 3-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Website >
Overview >Bucket list experience:
Prado Museum
Last updated: 07 November, 2022
One of the finest museums in the world, the Prado was originally meant to be a museum of natural science. However, by the time it was completed in 1819, its purpose had shifted to that of a grand art exhibition space. Today, based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, it is the single best collection of Spanish art and arguably the world’s finest collection of European art, dating from the 12th century to the early 20th century.
Its vast galleries are packed with household-name masterpieces and heavyweight artists – the stars of the show being Velazquez, El Greco and Goya. The hugely impressive permanent collection comprises around 8,000+ drawings, 7,600+ paintings, 4,800+ prints, and 1,000+ sculptures – though at any one time, only 1,300 works are displayed in the main building due to capacity constraints.
There are usually also several world-class temporary exhibitions running alongside the permanent collection.
Want more recommendations in this destination?
Destination Guide >Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Madrid 5-day Itinerary
Spain
Where to go and what to see in Madrid to get the most from your trip – a 5-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Dana Facaros.
Website >
Overview >Price from: £13
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
The nearest metro stations are Banco de Espana and Atocha. You can book your ticket online before you go, to avoid the queues and guarantee entry. Tickets are limited. You can buy them at the entrance ticket office too.
The museum is vast and overwhelming. There is a helpful interactive visual guide to the vast museum on the website – worth a look to familiarise yourself with the place before you go.
The museum offers a 90-minute guided tour of the Collection (around £10 extra, bookable and payable at the entrance). Tours are in Spanish or English at different times (see the website for the starting times of each). Alternatively, there are numerous local operators offering expert-led guided tours (see our recommendations below). Guided tours, of course, have the advantage of taking you to all of the masterpieces, and giving insights and background to the paintings and their artists.
If you’re planning on seeing lots of art, the Paseo del Arte joint ticket gives a 20% discounted entry to the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. The pass is available at any of the three museums, which can be visited on different days.
When to do it
The museum is open all year round, seven days a week. Arrive first thing in the morning at 10am, or mid-afternoon, and you’ll be more likely to beat the crowds. It gets very crowded between 11am and 2pm, and also after 6pm (when admission is free on most days). These free admission hours will save you a buck, but don’t expect to have the place to yourself.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity
El Prado Museum of Madrid Guided Tour (Tickets included & Skip the line)
Madrid
Experience the most important art gallery in Spain with our expert guide, the Museo del Prado. This gallery is one of the most visited in th...
€39 | Rating 4.50 / 5 [53 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Prado Museum and El Retiro Park Guided Tour Unesco Heritage
Madrid
Enjoy a guided tour of one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Retiro Park and visit to the Prado Museum. All of the places accompanied by a...
€40 | Rating 4.64 / 5 [14 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Skip-the-Line Prado Museum 7 people per group Guided Tour
Madrid
We are proud to say that this experience was awarded with the Viator Experience Award 2022! This tour goes through the Prado Museum highligh...
€42 | Rating 4.92 / 5 [642 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Skip the line: Prado Museum with Reina Sofia Museum Guided Tour
Madrid
Hit the Prado Museum as the first visitors when the doors open to the public on this 4-hour Madrid tour. This experience offers access to th...
€63 | Rating 4.05 / 5 [226 ratings]
Website >
Tour supplied by:
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.2 miles]
Right next to the world-famous Prado Museum, Madrid’s grand old dame pairs old-school opulence with first-class service for a memorable stay.
Official star rating:
Radisson Blu Madrid Prado
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.5 miles]
A comfortable, well-equipped and reasonably stylish boutique hotel – superbly located close to the big art museums and great shopping.
Official star rating:
Room Mate Alicia
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.7 miles]
A funky design boutique in the buzzing heart of Madrid, packed with restaurants, bars and nightlife. Excellent value for the central location.
Official star rating:
Room Mate Alba
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.7 miles]
This stylish, youthful-feeling and affordable hotel makes a great base for sightseeing and dining out in Madrid.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Madrid
Madrid Region, Spain
Spain’s sunny capital offers up world-class art, super shopping, renowned tapas and late, late nights.
Website >
Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.3 miles]
One of the world’s greatest art museums, home to an outstanding collection of art, from 13th-century Italian Gothic paintings to 20th-century Pop Art.
Best for ages: 18+ | £10
Reina Sofia National Museum
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.6 miles]
Spain’s National Museum of 20th-century art is the third of Madrid’s world-class art museums. Reina most famously contains Picasso’s Guernica, and outstanding collections of Spain’s two greatest 20th-century masters, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Royal Palace of Madrid
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[1.9 miles]
Explore the opulent heritage of the Spanish royals, with a tour of their extraordinary 18th-century palace in Madrid.
Best for ages: 18+ | £8
Costume and Fashion Museum
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[4.3 miles]
A beguiling costume museum, with over 150,000 garments, illustrating the evolution of fashion through history, from the Middle Ages until today.
Best for ages: 10+ | £3
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
Retiro Park
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[0.7 miles]
Once the gardens of a royal palace, the city’s main park stretches across 350 acres of glorious green space in the heart of the capital.
Best for ages: 3+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Casa de Diego
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[1 miles]
Founded in 1858. Spain has long been one of the greatest producers of abanicos – traditional hand fans. This small studio upholds that tradition. The highest quality hand-made fans – with handles made from wood, ebony or bone – are made on site. Each one is a unique, gorgeous work of art.
Best for ages: 10+ | Free
Website >
Overview >
Experience
Hammam at Al Andalus Madrid
Madrid, Spain[1 miles]
If you need some time out from the hectic delights of this vibrant city, head to this excellent hammam, a modern-day version of the traditional Andalusian bathhouse experience, to soak in the hot spa baths. Traditional treatments include steamy massage, hot stones and kessa gloves.
Best for ages: 13+ | £60 | 2+ hours
Website >
Overview >
Experience
National Archaeology Museum
Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain[1.1 miles]
This established, grand museum features the beautiful prehistoric bust of the Lady of Elche, as well as Roman weapons and glittering Visigothic gold.
Best for ages: 18+ | £2
Website >
Overview >
Round-ups that include this experience
32 World’s greatest art museums
Multiple countries
From New York to London, Paris to Berlin, here’s our round-up of the must-see art galleries and museums around the world that should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
Website >
Overview >
