Art Triangle & Gardens

One of the world's greatest art museums, housing over 8,000 paintings built around the Spanish royal collection amassed over centuries. The core is an unrivaled collection of Spanish masters: 140 Goyas, 50 Velázquez works (including Las Meninas, considered the greatest painting of all time by many critics), and major works by El Greco, Zurbarán, and Murillo. The Flemish collection is equally extraordinary — Bosch's Garden of Earthly Delights alone draws millions. The neoclassical building was originally designed in 1785 as a natural history museum. Rafael Moneo's 2007 expansion doubled the exhibition space.

The Prado is part of Madrid's 'Art Triangle' with the Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, all within a 10-minute walk of each other.

Founded by King Fernando VI in 1755 and moved to its current location next to the Prado by King Carlos III in 1781. The 8-hectare garden contains over 5,000 plant species arranged across three ascending terraces — from ornamental gardens at the lowest level through medicinal plants to a greenhouse collection at the top. The garden played a crucial role in cataloging plant specimens brought back from Spanish expeditions to the Americas. It holds one of Spain's most important herbariums with over a million dried plant specimens. In spring, the bonsai collection and rose garden are particularly spectacular.

The entrance is right next to the Prado's south wing — combine both visits for a morning of art followed by a garden stroll. Entry is only €4.