# Museo del Prado

> The Museo del Prado opened in November 1819 as the Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/museo-del-prado/

Spain's great painting museum, with major works by Velázquez, Goya and El Greco. Plan for a few focused hours rather than the whole building, and book a time slot in advance in high season.

The Museo del Prado opened in November 1819 as the Royal Museum of Paintings and Sculptures. Juan de Villanueva designed the building in 1785 on the orders of Charles III, originally to house a natural history cabinet. The first catalogue listed 311 paintings, although the collection from the royal residences actually held about 1,510 works. Today it ranks among the most important collections of European painting, with Velázquez (“Las Meninas”), Goya, El Greco, Bosch, Titian, Rubens and Raphael.

Since opening, more than 2,300 paintings have been added through purchases, donations and bequests. Between 2001 and 2007 an extension designed by Rafael Moneo was built. The museum is so large that you are better off choosing a few highlights, such as the Spanish masters, than trying to see everything; allow several hours for that. It stands on the Paseo del Prado in the centre of Madrid.

- **Nearest town:** Madrid, Spain
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 40.4138, -3.6921

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
- **Madrid: Low-emission zone.** Older vehicles may be banned, and foreign vehicles often have to register before entering.

## Sources

- [Museo del Prado – History of the museum](https://www.museodelprado.es/en/museum/history-of-the-museum)

## Nearby

- [Mercado de San Miguel](https://camping-spirit.com/places/san-miguel/) – 1 km
- [University of Alcalá, San Ildefonso College](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b13-alcala-university/) – 29 km
- [Plaza Mayor de Chinchón](https://camping-spirit.com/places/chinchon-plaza-mayor/) – 38 km
- [Royal Palace of Aranjuez](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b13-aranjuez-palace/) – 43 km

## FAQs

### Where is Museo del Prado?

Museo del Prado is in Madrid, Spain, at GPS 40.4138, -3.6921. It is about 29 km from Alcalá de Henares.

### Can you camp near Museo del Prado?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Area de Autocaravanas Las Cigüeñas, about 6 km away; within 25 km there are 9 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Museo del Prado?

Places worth a stop nearby: Mercado de San Miguel (1 km), University of Alcalá, San Ildefonso College (29 km), Plaza Mayor de Chinchón (38 km) and Royal Palace of Aranjuez (43 km).

### When is the best time to visit Museo del Prado?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)