Prado Museum Entrances Explained – Which Door to Use

Walking up to the Prado Museum without knowing which entrance to use is a surprisingly common mistake. The building has three distinct access points on different sides of the structure, each serving a different visitor type — and going to the wrong one can cost you time queuing at the wrong door or being redirected by museum staff.

This guide tells you exactly which entrance to use based on your ticket type, group size, and visit purpose.

Overview of the Three Prado Museum Entrances

Puerta de Velázquez — The Main Entrance

The Puerta de Velázquez is the Prado’s primary entrance and the one most visitors should use. It faces directly onto Paseo del Prado boulevard, at the top of a broad flight of steps beneath the neoclassical portico that defines the Villanueva Building’s main façade. A statue of Diego Velázquez stands at the top of the steps — you will see it immediately when approaching from the boulevard.

Who should use it:

• Individual visitors and couples who have booked tickets online in advance
• Small groups (up to around 8 people) with pre-booked timed-entry tickets
• Visitors collecting tickets from the on-site ticket machine

What to expect:

Security screening takes place immediately after entry. Have your ticket QR code ready on your phone or printed — museum staff will scan it as you enter. During peak hours, a short queue may form on the steps outside, but this moves quickly for pre-booked visitors.

The Velázquez entrance opens directly into the Villanueva Building’s central gallery on the ground floor, close to the permanent collection signage and the free museum maps. Collect a map before heading upstairs — the building’s layout can be confusing on a first visit.

Puerta de Goya — The North Entrance

The Puerta de Goya is located on Calle Felipe IV, on the north side of the building. It is named after the statue of Francisco Goya that stands at street level nearby. This entrance is at ground level — there are no steps — making it the most accessible option for visitors with mobility considerations.

Who should use it:

• Visitors arriving with guided tours (many tour operators meet and enter here)
• Groups arriving as a unit
• Visitors with mobility impairments who need step-free access
• Visitors entering during the free entry window (where queues often form at this entrance)

What to expect:

The Goya entrance leads into the northern section of the Villanueva Building. From here, you have direct access to the ground floor galleries and lifts to all floors. During the free evening entry period, queues typically form at this entrance — arriving early is advisable, as described in our free entry guide.

If you are joining a guided tour — such as the skip-the-line guided tour or a small group tour — your guide will confirm the meeting point before your visit, which is often just outside or inside the Goya entrance.

Puerta de Murillo — The South Entrance

The Puerta de Murillo is located on Plaza de Murillo, the small square on the southern side of the museum that faces the Real Jardín Botánico (Royal Botanical Garden). A statue of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo marks the entrance.

Who should use it:

• School groups and educational visits
• Organised tour groups with pre-arranged group bookings (reservations through the museum’s CAV department)
• Visitors attending certain temporary exhibitions that are accessed from the Jerónimos Building side

What to expect:

Individual visitors are generally redirected to the Velázquez or Goya entrances. If you have a standard online ticket and arrive at Murillo, museum staff will direct you to the appropriate entrance. The Murillo entrance connects to the lower-ground level of the museum and provides access to the Jerónimos Building where temporary exhibitions are housed.

Which Entrance to Use: Quick Reference

• You booked a ticket online → Use Puerta de Velázquez
• You are joining a guided tour → Check your tour confirmation (usually Puerta de Goya; your guide will confirm)
• You are visiting during free entry hours → Join the queue at Puerta de Goya
• You have a mobility impairment and need step-free access → Use Puerta de Goya (ground level, no steps)
• You are arriving with a school or educational group → Use Puerta de Murillo
• You have a ticket for a temporary exhibition in the Jerónimos Building → Use Puerta de Murillo or follow signage from Puerta de Goya

Accessibility at the Entrances

The Puerta de Velázquez has a ramped side access route immediately to the left of the main staircase for visitors who cannot manage steps. However, the Puerta de Goya is the most convenient fully step-free option. All three entrances have cloakroom facilities where large bags and backpacks must be deposited before entering the galleries. The cloakrooms are free of charge but operate with limited capacity during peak periods.

What to Have Ready at the Entrance

Regardless of which entrance you use, have the following prepared before you arrive at the door:

• Your ticket QR code (on your phone screen or printed) — ensure brightness is turned up on your phone
• Proof of eligibility if claiming reduced or free admission (student card, disability certificate, press card, etc.)
• Large bags emptied and ready for cloakroom deposit — you cannot take backpacks or large bags into the galleries

Lockers are not provided. The cloakroom is the only storage option. The service is free but not unlimited — during very busy periods, the cloakroom may reach capacity.

Finding the Right Entrance: Practical Navigation Tips

The Prado’s three entrances are on three different sides of the building, and the streets around it can be confusing on a first visit:

• Arriving along Paseo del Prado from the north (from the direction of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum): Walk south and the Velázquez entrance will be on your left, up the broad steps.
• Arriving along Paseo del Prado from the south (from the direction of Atocha): Walk north and the Velázquez entrance will be on your right.
• Arriving from Retiro Park: Exit the park from the Puerta de Murillo (south gate) or the western park exits and cross Paseo del Prado — the Velázquez entrance will be directly in front of you.
• Arriving from Calle de Alcalá: Head south along any of the connecting streets until you reach Calle Felipe IV, where the Goya entrance is located.

For full directions from Madrid’s transport hubs and key areas, see our guide to how to get to the Prado Museum.