Three ways to see the Prado with a guide
The museum runs its own guided visit, outside companies and guides lead groups, and an audio guide lets you walk at your own pace. They suit different visitors. A guide helps most in a collection this large, because the paintings are easier to place when someone explains why these works matter and how to reach them in a sensible order.
This site is independent and does not run tours. Prices below are those listed in 2026, and dates and rules can change, so check the current timetable and booking terms before you go.
Guided options compared
Prices for 2026. Extras are added to the entry ticket where noted.
| Option | Length | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Museum tour "Masterpieces of the Collection" | About 90 minutes | €10 extra, €25 in total with general admission | The May 2026 programme listed Spanish and English dates and a maximum of 19 participants |
| Audio guide | Your own pace | €5 extra | More than 250 works in 15 languages, on a museum device or your own smartphone; major special exhibitions in Spanish and English |
| Outside guide with a group | Guided part up to 90 minutes | Set by the provider | 9 to 20 people including the leader; wireless headsets are required |
| Visit before opening | – | €50 per person | Minimum 12 people, with your own guide |
The museum's tour dates in the programme are a snapshot from spring 2026, not the current schedule. For the languages, days and times on offer now, check the museum's current timetable. The programme listed Spanish and English, so for German or other languages look at outside guides and confirm the language when you book.
Our picks: guided Prado tours
Three guided visits, all with museum entry included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Prado tour before opening hours
Museum entry before the public opens and an English-speaking guide are included, covering Las Meninas, the Black Paintings and the Garden of Earthly Delights. Tips and hotel transfer are extra.
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Prado tour with a certified guide
A certified official guide and the Prado ticket are included. Tips, food, water and hotel transfer are extra.
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Prado small-group tour for up to seven
Museum entry, a guide and headsets are included. Food, drinks and hotel transfer are not.
Check availability →Prado guided tours
Guided Prado visits in small groups, with and without skip-the-line entry, plus combined art tours, with live prices and availability.
Group rules at the Prado
These apply to guides and groups under the visitor regulations of March 2026.
Group size
Regular groups are limited to 9 to 20 people, the leader included. The museum reduced the previous limit of 30 and announced a transition period until 1 June 2026 for groups already booked. Educational groups can have up to 30.
Notice
Groups register at least 24 hours ahead online, and at least 72 hours ahead for a visit before regular opening.
Headsets
During public hours, a wireless microphone and headsets are mandatory for guided groups. Preschool and primary school groups are exempt.
Time limit and exhibitions
A guided visit may last up to 90 minutes. Special exhibitions have their own group rules, so ask whether your tour includes one.
Photography
Photos are not allowed in the galleries. Exceptions are the Jerónimos foyer, the Sala de las Musas and the cloister. Guides cannot lift this rule.
Bags and rules →How to choose a tour
Check these points before you pay.
Is the ticket included?
Some offers include admission and some do not. Read the "includes" list, and compare the total with the €15 ticket plus the museum's €10 tour.
Meeting point and language
Many guided visits meet outside the museum, not at the ticket office. Check the meeting point, the language and the start time in your booking.
Group size and length
Smaller groups are easier to follow in crowded rooms. With the 90-minute limit, a guide has time for a handful of works, not the whole collection.
Your interests
If you mainly want Velázquez, Goya or Bosch, ask which rooms the route covers. The famous paintings page lists the main works with their rooms.
Mobility
The Jerónimos entrance is the preferred access for visitors with reduced mobility. Tell your guide in advance if you need a slower pace or seating stops.
Cancellation terms
Terms differ by provider and are set by them. Read the conditions and the final price before you confirm.
Prado guided tours: frequently asked questions
Does the museum run its own guided tour?
Yes. "Masterpieces of the Collection" lasts about 90 minutes and costs €10 on top of the entry ticket, which makes €25 with general admission. The May 2026 programme listed Spanish and English dates with up to 19 participants. Check the current timetable.
How much is the audio guide?
€5 extra. It covers more than 250 works in 15 languages and runs on a museum device or your own smartphone. For the major special exhibitions, Spanish and English are offered.
What is the maximum group size?
Regular groups are limited to 20 people including the leader, down from 30. Educational groups can have up to 30.
Can I visit the Prado before it opens?
There is a pre-opening visit at €50 per person for a minimum of 12 people, with a guide of your own. A group visit before regular opening must be registered at least 72 hours ahead.
Are tours available in German?
The museum's own programme listed Spanish and English dates. Outside guides may offer other languages, so check the language in the booking details.
How long can a guided visit last?
A guided visit is limited to 90 minutes. Plan any further time in the museum on your own, for example with the audio guide.