easy
up to 6 hours
Suitable for most fitness levels; comfortable walking skills recommended
Discover Madrid’s premier art masterpieces with an expert-led semi-private tour of the Prado and Reina Sofía museums. Enjoy an engaging journey through Spain’s artistic icons, tailored for curious travelers seeking an in-depth cultural experience.
5.5 Hrs | Daily | Skip-the-Line
Embark on a captivating 5.5-hour journey through Madrid's artistic heritage with a semi-private tour of the Prado and Reina Sofía museums. Led by an expert guide, explore masterpieces like Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights" and Picasso's "Guernica," gaining insights into the evolution of Spanish and European art.
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 5.5 hour semi-private guided combo tour of Madrid’s most visited museums will allow up to 8 guests 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.
Getting to the museums before peak hours helps you enjoy the artworks with less crowding.
Expect to walk and stand for several hours, so good footwear is essential.
Capture details and reflections to enhance your museum experience after the tour.
Drink water throughout the tour, especially during warmer months.
The Prado Museum was originally built as a palace in the 18th century, transforming into a world-class art gallery in the 19th century.
Babylon Tours Madrid emphasizes responsible tourism by respecting museum regulations and engaging in sustainable practices.
Necessary for long periods of standing and walking through museum galleries.
Use it to carry water, a notebook, or personal items comfortably.
Capture your favorite artworks and moments from the tour.
Stay hydrated during the tour, especially in warmer months.