easy
5–5.5 hours
Suitable for most visitors with basic mobility; expect extended periods of walking and standing.
Spend over five hours immersed in Madrid’s top art museums with Babylon Tours Madrid. This private Italian-language tour unpacks iconic masterpieces and their history at the Prado and Reina Sofia museums.
€139 - €259 | 5 to 5.5 Hrs | Daily | SKIP-THE-LINE | Most popular!
Embark on a captivating 5 to 5.5 hour private guided tour of Madrid's iconic Prado and Reina Sofia museums. Discover masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, and Picasso, while your expert guide reveals the fascinating stories behind each artwork. This immersive experience ensures you grasp the rich cultural context of Spain's artistic heritage.
5 - 5.5 hours (including a lunch break)
Meet your guide by the Goya statue at the main entrance, outside of the museum Prado museum
With so much to do in Madrid, don’t waste a minute in lines and gawking at art without a clue of what it all means. This 5 to 5.5 hour private guided museum combo tour of Madrid’s most visited museums will allow you to understand and enjoy both the Prado and the Reina Sofia, two sites that you simply must experience.
Begin at the Prado Museum, one of the most visited monuments in Madrid, and not just because the breathtaking neoclassical facades. Built in the late 1700s, the Prado began showcasing art in the early 1800s. Predominantly featuring paintings, it also has sculptures and prints among thousands of works dating from the 1200s. The most famous pieces include “Las Meninas” (The Maids of Honor), an inventive self-portrait by Spanish-born Velázquez, and “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” a triptych from Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch. The Prado houses the largest collection of Italian masterpieces outside of Italy, featuring works like “The Annunciation” by Fra Angelico and “David and Goliath” by Caravaggio. With your expert guide, you’ll hear all about the stories and scandals behind artists including Goya, Rembrandt, El Greco, and others.
Next, enter the Reina Sofia Museum, housing one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world. In the 1990s, a former hospital was renovated and turned into the Reina Sofia, home to 20th century art mostly from Spanish artists. Your expert guide will discuss the various artistic movements on display here, including abstractionism, cubism, surrealism, and modernism. You’ll learn all about Spain’s most famous artistic export, Pablo Picasso, while standing in front of his world-changing painting, “Guernica.” You’ll see works by Joan Miró, like “The Man with a Pipe,” as well as Salvador Dali’s “Face of the Great Masturbator,” learning about the techniques and stories behind these sometimes offbeat works of art. Your guide will situate all of these works in their larger social and political contexts, allowing you to understand how events like the Spanish Civil War shaped these artists’ lives and works. By the end, you’ll have experienced one of Spain’s, and the world’s, most exquisite collections of contemporary art, which no trip to Madrid should go without.
This private tour is popular and sells out quickly, so secure your spot well in advance.
You’ll spend hours walking and standing inside museums, so dress accordingly.
The tour includes a lunch break, but a small snack can keep your energy up during explorations.
Plan to meet your guide promptly outside the Prado by the Goya statue to make full use of your tour.
The Prado Museum was inaugurated in 1819 and holds one of the finest collections of European art, famously including works tied to Spain’s Habsburg and Bourbon royal dynasties.
Both museums actively engage in art restoration and preservation, reflecting Madrid’s commitment to maintaining cultural heritage for future generations.
Essential for navigating museum halls and corridors comfortably.
Staying hydrated during long museum tours is crucial, especially in summer.
summer specific
Museums can be cool year-round, and outdoor transfers may require layering.
fall|spring|winter specific
Helpful to keep devices powered for photos or translation apps.