Prado Museum Museo del Prado
Pick a few rooms to focus on, such as those with works by Velázquez and Goya. Check the museum site for tickets and entry times.
- UNESCO World Heritage
Madrid Travel Guide
Build a first day around the Prado and give yourself time to walk through nearby Retiro Park or the Literary Quarter.
Before you go
When to go and how long to stay
Allow three days for the museum district, the royal center and markets. Schedule outdoor time for mornings if visiting in summer.
Entry documents
Check Spain’s short-stay entry requirements for your passport with a Spanish consulate. On a multi-country Schengen trip, count your time across the area. Save hotel addresses and onward transport confirmations offline.
Getting to the city
From Barajas (MAD), Metro Line 8 reaches Nuevos Ministerios. The airport express bus is another option; check its city stop for your arrival time.
Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and Chamartín are separate mainline stations. Book your cross-town connection against the station names on the tickets.
Getting around
Use Metro and walking. Several major museums sit near the Paseo del Prado, so you can group them without changing neighborhoods.
Payments and mobile data
Bring a contactless card and small euro notes. Save ticket QR codes and the local spellings of stations offline. For a late dinner, check the last train back before you leave your hotel.
Where to stay
Sol or Gran Vía suits the central sights. Stay near Atocha if your schedule includes early rail departures or several museum visits.
Things to do in Madrid
What to eat in Madrid
Churros with chocolate Churros con chocolate
Dip fresh fried dough into thick hot chocolate. It works as a sweet breakfast or an afternoon break.
Photo: Carissa Rogers · CC BY 2.0 ↗A day in Madrid
Visit the Prado in the morning, walk into Retiro Park after lunch, then stop for churros and chocolate.