We’ll show you the Prado Museum’s location and the fastest ways to get to it using public transport while you’re in Madrid.
The address of the Museo Nacional del Prado is Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain. Located right on the Paseo del Arte, the museum has several main entrances for the public: the Puerta de Jerónimos is the standard entrance for general admission and temporary exhibitions, while the Puerta de Goya is primarily used for ticket sales and access with specific passes. Its privileged location places it just a few meters from the Royal Botanical Garden and El Retiro Park, consolidating it as the most important cultural hub of the capital.
Getting to the Prado Museum is very simple, as it enjoys a privileged and excellently connected location, whether via the extensive public transport network (Metro and bus), by bicycle, or by enjoying a pleasant stroll through the historic ‘Landscape of Light.’ Since it is located within a low-emission zone, the key to a seamless visit lies in choosing the transport option that best suits your starting point in the city.
This is usually the most reliable option if you want speed. As one user on Facebook points out, “taking the metro is easy, cheap, fast, and safe.” While the Prado doesn’t have a station right under its foundations to protect the historic area, you have two strategic options that leave you about 900 meters away:
Let’s talk money. Don’t buy single tickets, as they cost between 1.50€ and 2.00€ and are not worth it. The best option is to buy the Multi Card (it costs 2.50€ and you can share it if you’re traveling with family). Load it with a 10-trip pass. Since the government has extended the public transport discounts for 2026, the 10-trip pack costs only 7.30€. This means each journey costs you just 0.73€, saving you more than one euro per trip compared to a single ticket!
Buses are honestly underrated. While the Metro is faster underground, the bus gives you something the Metro can’t: you actually see the city. Plus, bus stops are literally right at the museum doors, which means no walking from a distant Metro station!
The star route is Line 27. This bus runs along Madrid’s main north-south axis, traveling down the Paseo de la Castellana, through Recoletos, and along the Paseo del Prado. If you’re staying anywhere in the northern districts or near areas like Nuevos Ministerios or Colón, this is your line. The stop you want is “Museo del Prado – Jardín Botánico”, and when you get off, you’re literally less than 50 meters from the Murillo entrance. No other transport option gets you this close.
Other useful lines include:
Madrid has embraced sustainability and arriving by bike is a beautiful experience. The public electric bike system is called BiciMAD. You don’t need an annual subscription anymore. You can register as an “occasional user” instantly via the app. The bikes are electric, which helps with Madrid’s slight slopes.
The critical thing is knowing where to return the bike. You can’t just leave it anywhere. You need to dock it at an official BiciMAD station. The most convenient stations are:
If you’re using a private rental bike or your own bike, you’ll need to lock it to the public bike racks (u-shaped metal stands) along the sidewalks. Whatever you do, don’t lock your bike to historic railings, trees, or the museum’s fence.
Walking to the Prado might actually be the best part of your visit! There’s something about approaching a museum on foot that puts you in the right mindset for art. You slow down, you notice things, you arrive ready to really look.
From Puerta del Sol (about 15 minutes): This is the classic central Madrid walk. Head down Carrera de San Jerónimo, past the Spanish Parliament with its famous bronze lions and the elegant Palace Hotel. The street slopes gently downhill, making it an easy stroll, and you end up at the Neptune Fountain in Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, right at the museum’s doorstep. This route takes you from the bustling commercial heart of Madrid into its monumental cultural zone.
From the Barrio de las Letras (about 8 minutes): If you’re staying in or exploring the Literary Quarter, walking through Calle de las Huertas or Calle de Cervantes brings you straight to the museum via CaixaForum. This neighborhood is where Spain’s Golden Age writers lived and worked. You’re literally walking the same cobblestones as Cervantes and Lope de Vega. It creates a beautiful connection between the literature of that era and the art you’re about to see inside the museum.
From Retiro Park (about 5 minutes): This is the most relaxed approach. Exit the park through the gates on Calle de Felipe IV and you’re almost immediately at the museum’s eastern side, near the Casón del Buen Retiro and the Jerónimos entrance. It’s quiet, green, and free from heavy traffic. Perfect if you want a calm arrival.
Taxis are widely available in Madrid. You can find one at a taxi stop or book one online. There are plenty available on the street, too, which can be halted to get to the destination.
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