Prado Museum Visit with an Art Historian, Madrid

Whether an art expert or novice, visiting the Museo Nacional del Prado with an art historian is one of the best ways to make the most of your time at the museum. After meeting your private guide at your accommodation, you'll stroll through the streets of Madrid, making your way to El Prado. You'll learn a bit about the city's history and the museum's cultural importance in Spain and across the world, then skip the line and head straight into numerous halls lined with famous works of art. As a private experience, your guide is happy to cater what you see and learn about to your interests. Of course, the options are mighty, as you can view works by Goya, Rubens, Titian, or other great painters.

With the help of a professional art historian, you'll stroll the halls of Madrid's famous El Prado Museum, visiting masterpieces catered to your interest. You'll start the activity by meeting your private guide at your hotel or apartment and strolling through Madrid's twisting streets. Chat about the city's history and even stop to view a few monuments along the way, depending on your path. If your journey is long, you can join your guide on the metro.

Your destination is, of course, the El Prado Museum, considered the most important museum in Madrid (and one of the most popular in Europe). The Museo Nacional del Prado is perfect for anyone interested in Spanish, European, and international art, even novice art enthusiasts.

Next, skip the long lines and follow your guide into the museum. Once inside, your private art historian can cater the visit to your particular interests and provide additional information about the building and many of the 1,300 exhibits. It's impossible to view all those on display (and even more impossible to see all the pieces held by the Prado Museum, which include 8,200 drawings, 7,600 paintings, 4,800 prints, and 1,000 sculptures), but there are a few popular pieces that you might want to add to your list.

Some of the most favored artwork includes Ribera's anatomical drawings, the true story of Velázquez's Las Meninas, Goya's famous dark backgrounds, and Bosch's 15th-century future-predicting piece, The Garden of Earthly Delights Triptych. You can also view the Third of May 1808 by Goya, Las 3 Gracias by Rubens, The Cardinal by Raphael, and Venus and Adonis by Titian. After two hundred years, the Prado is still one of Spain's most treasured and essential museums, revealing secrets and symbolism that your guide will happily share with you.

As you follow your guide through the main galleries, enjoy highlights from some of the prominent Spanish artists, learning about the historical significance behind these world-class artworks. Get a professional view of the museum's most significant paintings and sculptures, and explore some of the lesser-viewed parts of the museum. Your guide will give you a full background about each piece and point out details you might not be able to find on your own. And, as you stroll from one masterpiece to the next, feel free to continue chatting about these renowned artists. 

You'll say goodbye to your guide at the end of your three historical and artistic hours.