Does this museum have a "closed" day ? What about the others in the area. We will be there in late July, do they have long entry lines and is there a way to circumvent them ? ie pre buying tickets ?

to the top<BR>

Don`t know about closed days. We were there in August (not at opening time)and we just walked in. It`s my favorite art museum. Not overwhelming like the Louve or Vatican.

Prado is closed on Mondays, but the Centro de Art Reina Sofia, which is next to it and houses Guerica is open on Monday (and closed Tues.)<BR>

Actually, those two museums are not next to each other - The Reina Sofia is about a 3-5 minute walk from the Prado, heading towards the Atocha train station. It's not far, and both museums are worth the visit!

If you plan to visit all three major art venues -- Prado, Reina Sofia, and Thyssen-Bornemiza (excuse spelling, por favor) -- see about the single combined ticket. I recall it costing about 25 -30% less than three separate tickets and it may let you bypass ticket lines at your second and third stops.

Thank you, anyone want to give their highlight of the Prado ?? Which piece of art has the best "WOW" factor.

marko,<BR>I never tire of gazing at Las Meninas (Velazquez). Love the Velazquez rooms in general, but you won't want to miss the all the incredible Goyas at the far, southern end of the hall. Go early. Be at the Puerta de Goya northern entrance, the one facing the Ritz hotel, prompty at 9. Crowds are heaviest on Sun, when admission is free (also free after 2:30 Sat.). Buy the 3 museum Paseo del Arte "bono" (pass) at the Reina Sofia, where lines are short , make that your first stop to see Picasso's Guernica (rm #6), Dali (rm 10), Juan Gris (rm 4) and Miro (rm 7), then you can save time at the Prado. Leave the Thyssen Bornemisza for last (closed Mon. but open Tues-Sun 10-7) and start at the top floor, taking a 2 hr. tour of the history of Western Art from top to bottom, from 13th c to Andy Warhol.<BR>Have a great trip!

Marko, we traveled to Spain last Autumn, and absolutely loved it. The Prado Museum was spectacular. We also loved the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. You will greatly enjoy everything that Madrid has to offer. The palaces, gardens, museums, nightlife, flamenco, tapas, shopping, architecture, and friendly people await you.