The Prado Museum (Madrid)

Receiving close to three million art loving visitors a year, the Prado is the most popular attraction in Madrid and considered to be the largest gallery of classical paintings in the world. It is certainly a major undertaking to see it all in one day. It covers mainly European art from the 12th century right up to the mid 1800’s. Noted for its extensive collections by home grown artists such as Valasquez and Goya, virtually every iconic artist has a masterpiece or two hanging in The Prado. Madrid city breaks can see seminal works of art from every period including pre Raphaelite, French Impressionism, Flemish masters and so much more besides.

 

In addition to priceless works on canvas, there is a huge collection of sculpture including carvings and friezes from ancient Rome and Greece and a remarkable collection of decorative art including precious jewels, gold and silver. The Prado is worthy of repeat visits but if you have only a short time or are on a Madrid weekend break you can see it all for free after 5pm. To help get the most of this vast collection, there are recommended guided and audio tours covering specific genres offering insightful and humorous English language commentary.

 

There is free entry at any time for under 18’s and lots to keep youngsters busy during a family holiday, with a captivating art inspired activity centre and playground for the little ones. Teenagers will be captivated by the sci fi influenced ‘The Garden of Earthly Delights’ by Hieronymus Bosch and Goya’s famous ‘Black Paintings’ and there are interactive stations which give a digital preview of some of the most compelling and thought provoking works in the collection. There is a large auditorium at the Prado which holds lectures and documentary screenings and serious art scholars can browse through the vast art library during a short break in Madrid.