I am trying to plan my itineray and it would be helpful to know about what is an average time to spend at the following museums. I know that is a difficult question. thank you.
Madrid- Royal Palace, Prado and museum where Guernica is.
Toledo, Escorial, Dali Museum,in Gigurers and Dali HOuse, Pciasso museum in Barcelona, Alhambra in GranadaMezquita in Cordoba.

If you mean Dali's house in Port Lligat, the tour is about no more than one hour long. You have to call ahead to make reservations becaue they only allow small groups of 8. They go in intervals. I think after you are in a room for 10 minutes, you move to the next room & they bring another small group in. When your reach the garden, you are on your own & can stay as long as you like.

Obviously it depends on how interested you are in the displays. But - if you want an unbiased opinion have a look at a Michelin green guide - it gives * for all attractions and tell show long it will take to see them (not skim but see).

Most of those listed I could easily spend a day wandering around...maybe even longer to get the right photo and take in the atmosphere.
I can see from your other posting that you may be rushing around Spain and Portugal a lot so maybe an hour in each will be OK for you on this trip. ;-)

Prado- 3 hrs. minimum
Reina Sofia 2 hrs.
Picasso museum Barcelona 1.5 hrs.
Alhambra -3 hrs.

Thanks Egbert. Any idea about Royal Palace in Madrid or the Dali Museum in Figueres?

Dali Museum in Figures- 2 hours. Make sure you visit this one!

The Mezquita in Cordoba is one of the world's incomparable treasures, and an astonishing relic of history with tremendous meaning for our shared, present-day world. It is worth as much time as you can give it.

The Alhambra in Grenada, and Toledo, are two of the most rewarding destinations in all of European travel -- not just Spanish travel -- but travel in all of Europe. It is a special to visit the interior of the Alhambra at night, and its gardens during the day. Toledo is one of the most marvelous places in history -- and beautiful to boot. If you can linger, do.

I think Dali was and is a fraud, and when I was in Catalonia, I didn't feel visiit any of the Dali museums or shrines. He is surely one of the least significant artists or thinkers in art history,

I thought the Royal Palace in Madrid -- like most Royal Palaces in Europe -- was fundamentally tasteless display of wealth and power. If you are interested in understanding megolamania and the architectural propagandda of power, it is fascinating to linger. If you like to look at beautiful artwork, there are better places to do it.

One solid half hour with Velasquez plus one hour with Goya is a more intelligent way to approach the Prado than asking "How long does it take to get through the Guidebook highlights?" If you are asking the latter, get the Michelin Green Guide to Spain. It will advise you much more accurately than the Fodor's loudmouth message board about how much the "typical tourist" needs to spend in the Prado.

Even the most serious student of 20th c. Art, Picasso or Spain needs only an hour at most with Picasso's Guernica, and that is pushing it.

I regret t say I've not been to the Picasso museum in Barcelona. I hope to rectify that on a repeat visit to the city, but before I set foot in the Picasso museum, I will go to Barcelona's museum of Catalonian art.

Sorry for my typo -- Granada!

Have been to some of the Madrid region sights you've described.

-Royal Palace. You have to take a tour for much of it, and if memory serves, it lasts about an hour. I think one can see some other parts on one's own, maybe another half hour or so.

-Prado. Easily 3 hours, can be as much as 5 depending on how thorough you want to be (and it's a terrifically good museum where you might want to be very thorough).

-Reine Sofia (where "Guernica" is). 3 hours is about right.

-El Escorial. 3-4 hours or so.

-Toledo. Not sure what museum interests you here. There are a number of attractions in this city. If memory serves, the most time I spent at any one place was 2-plus hours at the cathedral (there's plenty to see, plus they also have a nice collection of paintings and a treasure room of metal items). Spent a good hour-plus at the Santa Cruz Museum.

It depends how much an art lover you are ! would ask my hotel they would have the right amount of time.

The Alhambra has lots to see. We were there this summer and we spent at least 4 or 5 hours. Some of this was just walking and walking through the gardens, which some may choose to skip or hurry through.

You didn't mention it, but are you planning to visit some of the Gaudi sights in Barcelona? Very interesting. (Not crazy about Sagrada Familia though.)

I like some art, not at all an art lover. Went to Madrid a few months ago.

My husband and I really enjoyed the Royal Palace and tour, more for the palace as a whole as opposed to the works of art inside. You can join a group tour or use one of the personal audio guides. I think about an hour for the main palace and then whatever time you want for the outside rooms with armor and a quick look at the pharmacy.

I knew the Prado was not my type of art but felt I owed it a visit. I went on the free evening and zipped through a bunch of rooms checking out some famous masterpieces which did not appeal to my senses and left. I think I was there for 20 minutes. (my husband took off to do something else)

The Thyssen-Bornemisza was more my speed but really breezed by some rooms there. I think we were there about 2 hours but that included one fairly long break.

I think I would have enjoyed Reina Sofia the most, but I won't know until I return to Madrid someday.

Will agree with hamlet that the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is well worth seeing -- I spent about 3 hours there when I went.

If you like art museums, other Madrid options to consider would be the Museo Sorolla (spent about one and a half hours there -- it's also Sorolla's last place of residence, with a pleasant garden area), the Museo de la Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando -- Fine Arts Museum (spent about an hour here), not to mention two church-like spots, Ermita San Antonio de la Florida/Panteón de Goya -- Goya's Tomb (has a fine fresco by the artist, maybe good for about a half-hour visit) and the Real Basílica de San Francisco el Grande (a church with several paintings and frescoes, including a Goya fresco, maybe good for a half hour or so visit).

Royal Palace was kind of boring, one hr., never been to Dali museum. I have to say that I really loved the Picasso museum in Barcelona, the Alhambra is magical and the Prado is as good or better than the Met and the Louvre. If you like architecture the mezquita is a must see but a half hr. is enough. Not much else to see in Cordoba for me. the Alcazar in Sevilla is great and the Museo de bellas artes in Sevilla is a hidden gem. A great way to spend an hr. in Sevilla.

For once, I agree with zeppole, except on the Royal Palace. It is a relatively brief tour, but the highlight for me as a classical music fan was seeing the complete set of Stradivarius instruments for a string quartet and learning that they are still used. I bought a CD of a perfomance using them in the gift shop.

All these museums are fascinating for historical/cultural reasons. Watch the Spanish looking at the Goyas or the Velasquez paintings. There is pride in these works and the history they represent far beyond their already inestimable value as works of art.

The Prado has an excellent collection of Italian and Flemish art as well as the Spanish masterpieces. It is a great museum and I would plan to spend at least 3 hours there.