We are in Madrid for only 3 days, and have to select between visiting the Palacio Real, and the big 3 art museums: El Prado, Reine Sofia, and Thyssen. Visiting more than one in a day could be too much. So we have to leave out one of the above four. Any suggestions on which one to skip ? We were thinking of skipping the Thyssen, but so many posts here praise the Thyssen immensely, so we are confused. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

While the Palacio Real contains many important art works, for me it is not essentially an art museum, but a window on one facet of Spain's history.

I don't know if it will help you, but we visited all those places (and saw even more art) but we had more time. See my general take on Madrid at http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/

Nobody can see "all" in these museums. Choose a few painters in El Prado, Guernica by Picasso and a bit more in Reina Sofia. Visit Palacio Real to know a royal palace and the former way of living there. Visit the interesting armory too. Then visit Thyssen.

One enticement might be the "Paseo de Arte" which for I think 18 Euros get you entrance into all 3 museums.

But found out the hard way that it's only for one entry into each, even though the Pass is suppose to be good for a year.

The line for the Prado is very long and there doesn't appear to be any way to skip the queue by prepaying.

I guess I'd need to know two things. First, have you been to any other palaces, such as Versailles, Schonbrunn, etc? I had and found the Palacio Real paled in comparison to those two.

Two, do you like art, if so, all art or just a particular period? I think the Thyssen is the most user-friendly as it spans a large period and many different genres of art. It's the most accessible and manageable of the three. The Sofia Reina is strictly modern while the Prado is more "classical" art. I don't think you could turn your back on the Spanish masters (which are hard to find in many other countries) or Guernica and the wonderful studies Picasso did in preparation for it.

So in short, I'd bail on the Palacio altogether if I'd seen other palaces and get the Paseo del Arte for cheaper entry into the big 3 if only to see the big draws in the Sofia Reina and the Prado, and all of the Thyssen.

I was totally underwhelmed by the Thyssen. I know that's not the general consensus , just my opinion. I even visited it on two differnt ocassions thinking I must have "missed something".

I find the Royal palace very interesting.

The Prado , of course, is a must. And the Reina Sofia mainly for the Guernica, you don't need too much time there.

Dear amyb, we have not visited any of the great palaces in France or elsewhere, so I guess Palacio Real will have to be visited, if only because it will be different from any art museum, and will offer variety. The Guernica is also a must, so I guess that counts in the Reina Sofia. So now it is a straight choice between the Prado and the Thyssen. Can't seem to decide on which one.

Between Prado and Thyssen? No question: Prado!

The Thyssen's collection may cover more, but the Prado's is without peer for Spanish art.

When it comes to art collections, there is no better or worse: there is what appeals to you more or appeals less.

On that basis, it is for indiancouple to decide what to visit. What they might benefit from here is information on the character of the collections rather than being told what any other person liked best.

The Prado certainly ranks with the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum in terms of quality and value of the works they contain. some would call these thre, the "greatest three" museums in Europe.

Does that mean you cannot skip the Prado? No, at least not IMO...depends solely on what sorts of works you want to see.

I agree with the above in not considering the royal palace to be an "art museum" but in my case, a palace.

You say that &quot;visiting more than one in a day <b>could be</b>(emphasis mine) too much.

Why not make it not &quot;too much&quot; do it anyway and you'll find out two things:

whether everybody was right who said you couldn't miss this or that one

whether or not &quot;could&quot; should be &quot;would&quot; and after all, how many times do you get to Madrid?

A plug for the Thyssen, which was my favorite in Madrid. Their collection spans from the 14th century to the 20th, both European and American. Their 20th century includes superb Cezannes, Matisses, Derains, Picassos, Braques, Kandinskys, and many more. They also have a very pleasant restaurant. And it's very close to the Prado. I wouldn't miss it.

I agree w/ Padraig.

If you do choose the Prado, consider going on a late afternoon as suggested to me by the guards. 4-5 pm. Yes you may have a bit less time but I think they stay open some nights until 8 pm. I was there early before 9 am, first in line at the North entrance.
It seems many people are on that same entrance, including the tours. The line sort of moved over while I was waiting and I ended up getting bumped or pushed back. By the time we got in fairly quickly, the crowds were all over the place. Too hard to see anything.Go late &amp; avoid the free days.

Be sure to get the audio guides.

there is no reason you can´t skim through the thyssen and the reina sofia in half a day with a nice lunch/coffee break at thysesen in between.

do not skip the prado, although you must be selective as mentioned on what you try to see there.

If it helps you think through your options, the Reine Sofia is generally open in the evening. Also, I believe the Palacio Real sometimes closes for state functions - it did the day I planned to visit it! The 3 museums are, IMHO, all wonderful for different reasons mentioned by others. Enjoy!

I haven't been to the Thyseen, but all the others and really enjoyed them all. I have a friend who visited the Thyseen and said he really liked it a lot, though, so I know it is a good museum. However, I think the other two museums are more specific and special to Madrid, so I would leave that one out if I had to (well, I guess I did, actually, as I visited the other three things in my trip to Madrid, so that was my decision).

The El Prado is a must, and the palace isn't the same thing as a museum, so I don't think you should leave that out and only visit art museums.

I'll just chime in again and agree with a few folks that I think all three are do-able. Unless you're a big fan of modern art, it wouldn't be a crime to just see Guernica. Then you could &quot;just&quot; seek out and see the Spanish masters (Goya, Velazquez and El Greco) in the Prado and then take your time and stroll through the Thyssen. I think these three are much more do-able in one trip than museums in many other major cities, like NYC, Paris, London, etc. By buying the Paseo to save money on entrance costs, you might not feel as bad ducking in and out of these places when it feels like you should be spending more time.

I still don't think you'd miss much at the Palacio, but I've been there and just wish I had that time back to do something else in the city.

I would do the Prado highlights (unless you are an avid art lover) and the Reina Sofia in the evening.

The Thyssen is good but not nearly as impressive (or extensive) as the Prado.

actually, the thyssen´s rehab job on that palacial home is interesting in itself and they usually have excellent temp exhibits three, and a very pleasant caf&eacute; also.

at least walk into the outside garden area, go to the caf&eacute;, and walk into the main lobby to see the place and decide later.

it is very nice, and holds a variety of the type of art that appeals to many people as it was a private collection.

to think this is a small part of this family´s works is mind-boggling, to say the least.

Indianpeople, consider reading Day 3 and Day 5 at:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35001438

Just for a flavor.

When I had visited Madrid last year I was able to see a lot of art.

Each museum was a different experience, and personal taste is &quot;all part of the experience.&quot;

I think a visit to The Prado is special to experience, even if you just visit for short time.
It is such a &quot;signature sight&quot; to see if only quickly in Madrid.


I loved The Thyssen &amp; thought it was a wonderful experience.
My least favorite was the Reine Sofia, but I was glad I went.

I enjoyed seing the Palacio Real, however I think you can visit that quickly, it did not have the same &quot;WOW&quot; factor for me as other Palaces I have been fortunate to have seen.

A wonderful surprise was the Sorolla Museum, which was actually the artists Home and now a museum. It was a great surprise that I was so glad I found.