Prado vs Reina Sofía
Quick answer
Madrid's Golden Triangle: Old Masters at the Prado versus twentieth-century art including Guernica at Reina Sofía. World Museum Guide compares admission, highlights, and time needed side by side — both Museo del Prado and Museo Reina Sofía have full visitor guides below.
Madrid, Spain
Museo del Prado
€15 standard admission
⏱ 2–4 hours
Madrid, Spain
Museo Reina Sofía
✓ €12 standard admission; free during late afternoons
⏱ 2–4 hours
Side by side
| Museo del Prado | Museo Reina Sofía | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Madrid, Spain | Madrid, Spain |
| Museum type | Art Museum | Art Museum |
| Admission | €15 standard admission | Free |
| Free entry | Every day 6–8 PM (last 2 hours) · Under 18 free always · Under 25 (EU) free always | Every Monday–Friday after 7 PM (free) · Saturday after 2:30 PM · Sunday all day · Under 18 always free |
| Time needed | 2–4 hours | 2–4 hours |
| Closed | — | Tuesdays |
| Standout works | Las Meninas; Saturn Devouring His Son | Guernica; The Great Masturbator |
| Good for | Art Lovers, History Enthusiasts, First-timers | Art Lovers, First-timers, Rainy-day visits |
Facts from our verified data file (last verified 2026-06-30) — confirm on each museum's official site before travelling.
Choose Museo del Prado if…
Choose the Prado for Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, and El Greco — Spain's national painting collection.
Choose Museo Reina Sofía if…
Choose Reina Sofía for Picasso's Guernica, Dalí, and Miró — modern Spanish art.
Visiting both
Walkable in one day along Paseo del Prado; free evening slots at both on select days.