How to Get to the Prado Museum
The Prado Museum sits in the heart of Madrid's Art Walk, next to the Retiro Park. Its location is ideal for public transport; driving is not the best option given the traffic and the low-emission zone in the city centre.
Address: Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23 / Paseo del Prado s/n, 28014 Madrid.
Entrances: Puerta de los Jerónimos (Calle Ruiz de Alarcón, main entrance) · Puerta de Velázquez (Paseo del Prado, groups and audio guides).
By metro: Estación del Arte (Line 1) and Banco de España (Line 2)
The two nearest stations are:
- Estación del Arte — Line 1 (red): about 5 minutes on foot. On exit, follow Calle Atocha or the Paseo del Prado north; the Villanueva building is on your right. This stop is shared with the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen.
- Banco de España — Line 2 (dark red): about 10 minutes on foot. On exit, walk south along the Paseo del Prado. A practical option if you are coming from the north of the city or from the airport (combining L8 and L2).
The name Estación del Arte is no coincidence: Madrid's Art Walk clusters the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía within a few minutes' walk of each other. If you have several days in the city, the Art Walk is the most efficient way to visit all three major museums.
By Cercanías and long-distance train (Atocha)
Atocha station (Madrid Cercanías and Renfe long-distance) is about 10 minutes' walk from the museum. On leaving the station, take the Paseo del Prado heading north; the Prado is on your left after a pleasant few minutes' walk. The route is completely flat and well signposted.
This option is particularly convenient if you are arriving in Madrid by high-speed AVE train or regional train and want to head straight to the museum from the station.
By bus
Several EMT bus lines run along the Paseo del Prado, very close to the museum:
- Lines 9, 10, 14, 19, 27, 34, 37 and 45: stop on the Paseo del Prado or nearby, less than 5 minutes' walk from the museum entrances.
- Check the EMT journey planner or Google Maps from your starting point to find the most direct route.
On foot from the Paseo del Prado and the Retiro
If you are staying near Atocha, Chueca, the Barrio de las Letras or the Retiro, the Prado is 5–15 minutes on foot. Walking through the Retiro Park or along the Paseo del Prado itself is one of the most pleasant routes in central Madrid. The neoclassical facade of the Villanueva building (designed by Juan de Villanueva in 1785 as a natural history museum) is unmistakable.
The Art Walk: three great museums in one stroll
The Prado forms part of what is known as the Art Walk, alongside the Reina Sofía Museum (about 10 minutes on foot to the south) and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (about 5 minutes to the north). If you have several days in Madrid, combining all three is a unique experience that few capitals in the world can match in such a short distance. The Paseo del Arte Card is also available, allowing you to visit all three museums at a discount.
Map and location
Book your ticket or guided tour
Getting here is easy; the ticket-office queue is another matter. Buy online in advance and walk straight into the museum.
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Frequently asked questions about getting there
What is the address of the Prado Museum?
Calle de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23 / Paseo del Prado s/n, 28014 Madrid. The main entrance (Puerta de los Jerónimos) faces Calle Ruiz de Alarcón; the Velázquez entrance faces the Paseo del Prado.
Which metro station is closest to the Prado Museum?
Estación del Arte (line 1, red), about 5 minutes on foot. You can also use Banco de España (L2), about 10 minutes' walk along the Paseo del Prado.
Can you get to the Prado by Cercanías train?
Yes. Atocha Cercanías station is about 10 minutes' walk. Walk along the Paseo del Prado heading north to the Villanueva building.
Is there parking near the Prado Museum?
There are paid public car parks in the area, but public transport is more convenient and recommended. Bear in mind that central Madrid is a low-emission zone (ZBE).
Content reviewed by the Ticket Visit team · June 2026.
