Where is the Prado Museum & How to Get

The Prado Museum is located at Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain, situated within the prestigious Paseo del Arte near El Retiro Park. Visitors can access the gallery through the Puerta de Jerónimos for general admission or the Puerta de Goya for ticket sales.

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Prado museum address

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.

Address of the Prado Museum

How to arrive at the Prado Museum?

Thanks to its privileged and well-connected location, reaching the Prado Museum is very simple. Visitors can reach the museum via public transport (metro and bus), bicycle, taxi, or even by walking through the “Paisaje de la Luz”, an urban area in Madrid that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021, as it combines historical architecture, art, and nature.

How to arrive to the Prado Museum by metro?

This is the fastest option. As one user on Facebook points out, “taking the metro is easy, cheap, fast, and safe.” Although the Prado Museum does not have a metro station directly beneath its foundations in order to protect the historic center, there are two options located approximately 900 meters away:

  • Estación del Arte (Line 1 – Blue): This is the closest metro station; it was formerly known as the Atocha stop.
  • North Access (Line 2 – Red): Passengers should exit at the Banco de España station.


Regarding pricing, single tickets cost between €1.50 and €2.00. An alternative is to purchase the Multi Card (at a cost of €2.50, which can be shared among family members) and load it with a 10-trip pass.

Since the government has extended public transport discounts for 2026, the 10-trip package costs €7.30. This brings the value of each trip to €0.73, resulting in a reduction of over one euro per trip compared to a single ticket.

Which is the closest metro station to the Prado Museum?

The closest metro station to the Prado Museum is Estación del Arte (Line 1). This location serves as the primary reference point for visitors, as it is situated less than a five-minute walk from the gallery.

Upon exiting this station, visitors only need to walk a few meters along the Paseo del Prado to reach the Murillo Gate. This proximity makes it the fastest and most direct option for those looking to be near the site and find a convenient Prado Museum metro stop in Madrid.

Estación del Arte, Madrid
Photo: “Sign at the Estación del Arte station, Madrid Metro” by Lojwe.

How to arrive to the Prado Museum by bus?

Bus stops are located directly at the museum entrance. Some of the available routes include:

  • Line 27: This bus follows the north-south axis of Madrid, traveling along Paseo de la Castellana, Recoletos, and Paseo del Prado. It serves passengers staying in northern districts or near areas such as Nuevos Ministerios or Colón. The stop is ‘Museo del Prado – Jardín Botánico.’ Upon exiting, there is a 50-meter walk to the Murillo entrance.
  • Line 34: This route connects the western neighborhoods (Carabanchel, Latina) with the museum via Plaza de Cibeles. It serves passengers staying west of the city center.
  • Line 10: This line runs from the Salamanca neighborhood and the Serrano commercial district to the Prado. It serves those staying in these specific areas of the city.
  • Lines 14 and 37: These provide additional north-to-south routes with high frequency.
  • Line C03: This is a zero-emission circular route that surrounds the city center. It connects locations such as Puerta de Toledo and Argüelles with the museum.

Can I get there by bike?

Yes, access is available both by private bicycle and through the city’s public electric bicycle system, known as BiciMAD. To use this service, travelers must register as ‘occasional users’ through the mobile application.

It should be noted that bicycles may only be parked at official BiciMAD stations. The closest stations to the Prado Museum are:

  • Station 86: Located in Plaza de Murillo, adjacent to the Royal Botanical Garden on the south side of the museum.
  • Station 65: Located on Calle Antonio Maura, near the Hotel Ritz and the northern Jerónimos entrance.
  • Cuesta de Moyano Station: Located at the end of the street featuring the book stalls. This option serves those arriving from the direction of Atocha who wish to avoid the incline.


In the event of visiting the Prado Museum with a private or rental bicycle, the owner must secure it to the public bicycle racks (U-shaped metal supports) located along the sidewalks. Bicycles must not be attached to historical railings, trees, or the museum fence.

Reaching the Prado Museum on foot is also possible. The following are the recommended walking routes:

  • From Puerta del Sol (approximately 15 minutes): This route follows the Carrera de San Jerónimo through central Madrid, passing the Spanish Parliament and the Hotel Palace. The street has a gentle descent, facilitating the walk, and concludes at the Neptune Fountain in Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, situated at the museum gates.
  • From the Barrio de las Letras (approximately 8 minutes): This route serves those staying in the Literary Quarter, where writers of the Spanish Golden Age lived and worked. The path follows Calle de las Huertas or Calle de Cervantes, leading directly to the museum via CaixaForum.
  • From El Retiro Park (approximately 5 minutes): This route involves exiting the park through the gates on Calle Felipe IV to arrive almost immediately at the eastern side of the museum, near the Casón del Buen Retiro and the Jerónimos entrance. This area consists of green spaces and is free of heavy traffic.
El Retiro Park

How to arrive to the Prado Museum by taxi?

There is a high availability of taxis in Madrid. They can be requested through online applications or hailed on the street to reach the desired destination.

Parking near the Prado Museum

The Prado Museum does not have its own public parking lot. Instead, drivers must rely on several private and municipal underground car parks located within a short walking distance.

The most convenient options for a parking near the Prado Museum include:

  • Parking Sánchez Bustillo: Located right next to the Reina Sofía Museum, it is a very short walk from the Prado’s southern entrance.
  • Parking Las Cortes: Situated under the Plaza de las Cortes, it is ideal for those accessing the museum via the Goya entrance.
  • Parking Montalbán: A municipal option located near the Cibeles fountain and the northern end of the Paseo del Prado.

These facilities typically operate 24 hours a day. Rates in this central area generally range from €2.50 to €4.50 per hour, with daily maximums often reaching between €25 and €35.

Additionally, it is crucial to consider the traffic restrictions in the area. The museum is located within the Madrid 360 Low Emission Zone (ZBE). Currently, vehicles without an environmental label (Category A) are strictly prohibited from circulating in the city. Furthermore, the museum borders the “Distrito Centro” special protection area, where vehicles with B or C labels are only permitted to enter if they go directly to a public parking lot. Therefore, booking a space in advance is highly recommended to avoid fines and ensure seamless access to the cultural district.

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