Walk through the Prado with an art-historian who can read the brushstrokes of Velázquez and explain the political context of Goya's Black Paintings. Audio guides, expert-led small groups and family tours — pick the format that fits the way you want to visit.
Buy TicketsThe Prado has more than 8,000 paintings and most visitors only have 2–3 hours. A guided tour is the difference between checking off Las Meninas and actually understanding why it's the most analysed painting in Western art. See our visitors guide for help choosing, and the best time to visit page if you want a quieter tour experience.
Find the right format for your group and your pace
The official Prado audio guide on the museum app, in 8+ languages, with narration on 50 key works. €5 add-on, ~90 minutes — perfect for a self-paced first visit.
Up to 15 people with a licensed art-historian guide, 90 minutes covering the masterpieces — Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, El Greco, Titian. Q&A throughout.
A child-friendly version with treasure-hunt prompts, sketching activities and stories about the Spanish royal family. Best for ages 6–12.
A full-day combined tour covering the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza — Madrid's three world-class art museums in one day with a single guide.
For a first visit, the small-group expert tour is the best value. The Prado is so large and so layered that a self-guided audio guide leaves most people feeling they've missed something — a human guide can read the room, answer questions, and connect the paintings to the political and religious history of the Spanish empire.
If you're short on time or budget, the official audio guide covers 50 key works and works well for visitors who already have art-history background. Families with children should pick the family tour over the standard audio guide; it turns the visit into a treasure hunt rather than a lecture.
All tours start at the Jerónimos meeting point. Arrive 15 minutes early to clear security and the cloakroom.
Languages, group sizes, and what is included