Two art galleries in Madrid

We are in Madrid, Spain. Had a busy day at the palace earlier today. (Yes, visiting…as a tourist!)

What shall we do next?

This evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm entrance to Prado is free!

Museo del Prado is Spain’s national art museum. But you knew that , didn’t you. Prado is famous!

Let’s go!

I believe free entrance only happens on Tuesday (but check that out…it may be more often than that.) I do know it is for two hours before closing.

There it is. Huge, long building isn’t it. Let’s find the entrance.

Inside we will see paintings by this famous artist.

(Hint: Click on the photo to see who that is.)

Here we are…the Goya entrance to Spain’s national art gallery.

We did not have to wait at all to get our free pass. There were numerous lanes to funnel visitors and many ticket booths, so we just walked up and got out free tickets.

Once through the gates there is a small, very green, park like area. Then into the modern entrance lobby.

From the lobby you enter the gallery itself…that long, long building in the first photo. I emphasize the long, long part as there is a lot of walking from one end to the other and since we only have about an hour and 45  minutes before closing time it is wise to check the detailed floor plan and decide (quickly) which part you most want to visit.

Aside: The docents are extremely helpful (and multilingual). The floor plan maps are excellent and there are extra signs guiding you to areas such as Medieval, Titian & Rubens, Spanish, Velazquez, etc. We have appropriate pages torn from Rick Steve’s guide book so we have our own personal guide as well.

I am most eager to see Las Meninas by Velazquez as I keep reading reviews saying this is the most famous painting in the world…so I just have to find it!

In the search for Las Meninas we pass by so many masterpieces. I can see how people can spend days just in this one museo. Since we are in Spain I choose to focus on the Spanish masters like El Greco and Goya…and, of course, Velazquez.

Here we are. there is Las Meninas.

(no photography is allowed but I did buy a fridge magnet in the gift shop that will give you an idea of what we are looking at.)

I know that painting! I just did not know the name or the story behind it.

Before we know it the gallery is about to close. Two hours has just given me a glimpse of what this art gallery has to offer, so I have decided I will visit Prado again.

Leaving the gallery we are impressed by our view of San Jeronimo el Real

and also spend some time at the little merchant stalls just across from Prado.

Another gallery that impressed us deeply is Caixa Forum.

It is very close to Prado, so join us there.

Click here for Caixa Forum.

After that, consider seeing more of Spain

and/or

other countries around the world. 

Happy travels!