Museo del Prado Official Website 2026: How to Book Tickets & Plan Your Visit
The official website of the Museo del Prado is museodelprado.es, operated by the Museo Nacional del Prado — Spain’s national art institution. It sells timed-entry tickets for €15 (general admission), provides access to the full online collection database of over 8,000 works, and publishes current and upcoming temporary exhibition information. The site is available in Spanish and English. It does not sell guided tours — those are available through licensed third-party operators.
Every year, visitors to Madrid lose time and money navigating the Prado’s ticketing system — not because it is complicated, but because timed-entry slots for popular morning windows sell out ahead of time, the range of ticket options is not always clearly laid out, and the gap between what the official website offers and what third-party platforms offer is not immediately obvious. This guide explains exactly what the official website is, how to use it step by step, what each ticket type covers, and what to do when your preferred slot shows no availability.
Top Tickets
What Is the Official Prado Museum Website?
The official Prado Museum website is museodelprado.es, operated directly by the Museo Nacional del Prado. It serves as both the ticketing platform and the institution’s primary information source — covering opening hours, ticket prices, the online collection database, temporary exhibitions, and accessibility services. The site is available in Spanish and English. The ticketing function is integrated within the main site rather than on a separate subdomain.
- Official website: museodelprado.es
- Languages: Spanish and English
- Managed by: Museo Nacional del Prado (Spanish Ministry of Culture)
- Tickets released: Available on a rolling basis; no fixed advance release window
- Booking method: Online via museodelprado.es, or at the museum ticket desk on the day
Several unofficial websites sell Prado tickets under names that appear to reference the museum. The only official source for tickets at face value is museodelprado.es. Third-party platforms (GetYourGuide, Viator, Tiqets) are legitimate booking channels but are separate commercial operators — not the museum itself.
What Tickets Can You Buy on the Official Website?
| Ticket Type | Price (Adult) | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | €15 | Full permanent collection + all current temporary exhibitions |
| General admission + official guidebook | €24 | Above + the museum’s 384-page collection guide |
| Reduced admission | €7.50 | Eligible visitors (see categories below) |
| Children under 18 | Free | Must still collect a (free) timed-entry pass |
| Audio guide rental | €4 | Add-on at the museum; covers 450+ works in multiple languages |
The official website does not sell guided tours — those are available only through licensed third-party operators. For guided tour options, see our pages on the Prado Museum Guided Tour, Private Tour, and Small Group Tour.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy Tickets on the Official Website
- Go to museodelprado.es and select English from the language toggle in the top navigation
- Click Visit > Tickets from the main menu
- Select your visit date from the calendar — available slots are shown in green
- Choose your preferred entry time window (slots are typically in 30-minute increments)
- Select your ticket type (General Admission, Reduced, etc.) and number of visitors per category
- Create a user account or continue as a guest — a valid email address is required for ticket delivery
- Complete payment with credit or debit card — Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are accepted
- Save your e-ticket — it is emailed as a PDF with a QR code. Screenshot the QR code before arriving in case of poor signal near the entrance
Your timed-entry ticket is valid for your selected entry window. During busy periods, arriving significantly outside your booked slot may result in being held at the entrance until space becomes available. Arriving 5–10 minutes before your window opens is the safest approach.
When Are Tickets Available? How Far in Advance Can You Book?
Unlike the Colosseum or the Uffizi, the Prado does not operate a fixed advance-release window. Tickets are available on a rolling basis through the museum’s website. In practice:
- During low season (January–February, November), walk-up tickets are usually available, and online booking a few days ahead is sufficient
- During peak season (June–August), preferred morning slots (10:00 AM, 10:30 AM) can sell out several days to a week in advance
- During Semana Santa and Christmas week, book as far ahead as possible — these are the most competitive periods of the year
The practical advice is simple: if you have a fixed travel date, book your preferred entry window as soon as your plans are confirmed. The cost is the same whether you book two months ahead or two days ahead.
What to Do When the Official Site Shows No Availability
When the Prado Museum’s official website shows no available slots, three options remain: (1) check third-party platforms such as GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Viator, which operate from separate ticket allocations and often have availability when the official site does not; (2) check the official site again the following morning — cancellations and released slots appear regularly; (3) visit during the daily free entry window (Mon–Sat 6:00–8:00 PM, Sun 5:00–7:00 PM), which requires no booking but operates on limited capacity with queuing.
- Check GetYourGuide: Prado Museum Entry Ticket — third-party allocations are separate from official stock and often available when the museum site is not
- Check for guided tours: Prado Museum Guided Tour — tour operators hold their own entry allocations
- Try the free entry window: No booking required. Arrive 30–45 minutes before the window opens (before 5:30 PM on weekdays, before 5:15 PM on Saturdays). See our free entry guide for the full strategy
- Check again the next morning: Cancellations are released back into the system regularly
Quick Reference: Official Website vs Third-Party Booking
| Official Website (museodelprado.es) | Third-Party (GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator) | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard adult price | €15 | €18–€25 (includes service/platform fee) |
| Guided tours available? | No | Yes — all types |
| Availability in peak season | Can sell out days ahead | Usually available when official site is sold out |
| Free cancellation? | Not standard | Available on most third-party bookings |
| Entry management | Self-managed | Guide manages entry on tour bookings |
| Combined experiences? | Prado only | Prado + Royal Palace, Paseo del Arte, etc. |
The official website is best for visitors who want the lowest direct price and are comfortable exploring independently. Third-party platforms are better when the official site is sold out, when you want guided interpretation, when you want free cancellation flexibility, or when you are combining the Prado with other Madrid experiences.
What Else Can You Do on museodelprado.es?
Beyond ticketing, the official website serves several functions that are genuinely useful for planning:
Browse the online collection
The Prado’s digital catalogue allows you to search, filter, and view high-resolution images of thousands of works — including pieces not currently on display. Filters include artist, period, technique, and subject. Each work has a dedicated page with catalogue information and provenance notes. This is freely accessible, with no account required.
Check temporary exhibitions
The Exhibitions section lists currently running and upcoming temporary exhibitions with dates, curatorial notes, and associated events. Temporary exhibitions are included in general admission — no separate ticket is required. See our temporary exhibitions guide for how to plan your visit around a specific show.
Plan accessibility requirements
The accessibility section details facilities for visitors with reduced mobility, visual impairments, and hearing difficulties — including free wheelchair loans, lift access, tactile resources, and adapted tours. See our accessibility guide for the complete breakdown.
Access educational resources
The museum publishes curatorial articles, thematic podcasts, teacher resources, and an institutional magazine through its website — all freely accessible.
Is museodelprado.es Mobile-Friendly?
Yes. The website is fully responsive and works well on smartphones. Your ticket confirmation arrives as a PDF with a QR code that can be scanned directly from your phone at the museum entrance — no printing required. Download and screenshot the QR code before arriving in case connectivity is poor near the museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official website of the Prado Museum?
The official website is museodelprado.es, operated directly by the Museo Nacional del Prado — Spain’s national art institution.
Can I book Prado tickets online?
Yes. General admission tickets can be booked directly through museodelprado.es with a credit or debit card. Third-party platforms (GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator) also sell Prado entry tickets and guided tours.
Does the official Prado website sell guided tours?
No. The official website sells entry tickets only. Guided tours — including skip-the-line tours, private tours, and small group tours — are available through licensed third-party operators. See our guided tour guide for the full range of options.
How much do Prado Museum tickets cost on the official website?
General admission costs €15 per person. A combined ticket with the official guidebook is €24. Reduced admission (€7.50) is available for eligible visitors. Children under 18 enter free.
Are there free entry times at the Prado?
Yes. All visitors can enter free of charge during the final two hours of opening each day: Monday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Capacity is limited and no advance booking is available for free entry sessions. See the free entry guide for how to secure your place.
Is it safe to buy tickets from the official Prado website?
Yes — museodelprado.es is operated by Spain’s national museum and uses standard SSL encryption. The most important precaution is verifying the URL is museodelprado.es before entering payment details. Several unofficial sites resell Prado tickets at inflated prices.
What should I do if the official site is sold out?
Check third-party platforms (GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Viator) which hold separate ticket allocations. Alternatively, visit during the free entry window (no booking required) or check the official site again the following morning when cancellations are often released.
Do I need to print my Prado Museum ticket?
No. A digital ticket on your smartphone (PDF with QR code) is accepted at all entrances. Screenshot the QR code before visiting in case of poor signal at the museum.
Can I change my entry time after booking on the official website?
Changes are generally not possible for tickets booked through the official website. If you need flexibility, book through a third-party platform that offers free cancellation and rebook if your plans change.
