Prices of the Prado Museum

The Prado Museum houses, without a doubt, one of the best art collections in the world. Learn about the different types of tickets that you can purchase

Matteo Gramegna

Matteo Gramegna

4 min read

Prices of the Prado Museum

Prado Museum, Madrid | ©Mathieu Marquer

Few places appear as frequently as the Prado Museum in the list of what to see in Madrid, no matter how many days you are going to spend in the city. Undoubtedly, it is practically a must-see for those traveling to the Spanish capital. For this reason, I have written a **brief guide to help you choose your ticket.

You have the possibility to buy a general admission ticket to the most important cultural institution in the country for around 20 € or a guided tour for around 35 €. However, there are different ways to save or upgrade your city tour by purchasing a combined ticket. Read on and find out how.

How much do tickets to the Prado Museum cost?

Queue to enter the Prado Museum| ©Jorge Láscar
Queue to enter the Prado Museum| ©Jorge Láscar

The general admission ticket for the Prado Museum costs around 20 € through the Hellotickets website.

You also have the option to buy them at the ticket office, although this is not the option I usually recommend, as the Madrid art gallery has a large number of visitors throughout the year and long queues are formed. During the vacations time is money and I'm sure you don't want to waste your time in a queue.

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How to save when visiting the Prado Museum?

Room 75 of the Prado Museum| ©Museo Nacional del Prado
Room 75 of the Prado Museum| ©Museo Nacional del Prado

One option that will allow you to save on the price is a combined ticket. This way you can see two attractions at a reasonable price.

Among the most common options are tickets that include a visit to the Reina Sofia Museum or a visit to the Royal Palace. Here are the most popular ones:

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Can I get free admission to the Prado Museum?

Statues at the Prado Museum| ©Christian Van Der Henst
Statues at the Prado Museum| ©Christian Van Der Henst

Ofcourse you can, and I'll tell you more: it happens every day of the week. If you want to enjoy the masterpieces of European art without spending a single euro, you can opt for the following time slots:

  • From 18:00 to 20:00 hours, (Monday to Saturday).
  • From 17:00 to 19:00 hours (Sundays and holidays).

In both cases, entry is allowed up to 30 minutes before closing time. Of course, the time you will have is very limited and you will only be able to take a quick look at the main works. My recommendation is to book a visit to the Prado Museum and you can delve into one of the best museums in the world.

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Who can enter the Prado Museum for free?

Children at the Prado Museum| ©Alfredo Arias
Children at the Prado Museum| ©Alfredo Arias

If you are traveling with children to Madrid, you will be pleased to know that children under the age of 18 get in free. The same applies to people with disabilities, the unemployed, journalists, members of entities linked to the museum, large families and tour guides.

In the case of the unemployed, proof of unemployment is required. Those over 65 years of age and those who have the Youth Card, meanwhile, are entitled to reduced admission at a cost of 7.5 €.

To this must be added the days where free admission is generalized. Generally, these are the following dates:

  • November 19, the anniversary of the Prado.
  • May 18, International Museum Day.

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Is it possible to enter the Prado Museum for free with a tourist card?

Central Gallery of the Museum| ©Angel de los Rios
Central Gallery of the Museum| ©Angel de los Rios

Yes and no. Let me explain better: the city council or other organizations provide tourist cards that allow free access to one or more museums. However, you will have to pay a fee to enjoy this privilege. Here are the available options:

  • Art Walk Pass: gives you access to the three most important museums in Madrid: Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofia. It normally costs between 30 € and 40 € and guarantees access to the permanent collections.
  • Annual State Museums Card: in addition to the cultural institutions of the Paseo del Arte, you can enter as many times as you want in the Museo del Traje (Avenida Juan de Herrera 2), the Museo de América (Avenida de los Reyes Católicos 6), the Museo del Romanticismo (Calle San Mateo 13), the Museo Arqueológico Nacional (Calle Serrano 13) and other cultural spaces of the capital. The price ranges between 35 € and 40 €.
  • Madrid Explorer Pass: from $76, you will have access to 3, 4, 5, 5, 6 or 7 attractions or tours of the most popular attractions in the capital.
  • Madrid All Inclusive Pass: from $107, you can purchase your pass with access to more than 15 attractions and guided tours.

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Prado Museum prices in high season vs. low season

Side entrance to the Prado Museum| ©Fernando Bueno
Side entrance to the Prado Museum| ©Fernando Bueno

The Prado Museum is one of the essential activities to see on your trip to Madrid. Regarding the price, do not worry, it does not vary throughout the year. The only amount that can change is the temporary exhibitions. If you are interested in the "guests" of the Prado, I recommend you consult the official website of the museum.

Book tickets for the Prado Museum