Quick answer
The big three have free slots: the Reina Sofía, Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 7-9 pm and Sunday 12:30-2:30 pm; the Thyssen, Mondays 12-4 pm; and the Prado, the last two hours before closing (Monday to Saturday 6-8 pm and Sundays and holidays 5-7 pm). At the Prado the free ticket is collected at the box office until capacity is reached.
Free-entry hours: Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen
| Museum | Free entry | Watch out for… |
|---|---|---|
| Reina Sofía Museum | Monday and Wednesday to Saturday, 7:00-9:00 pm. Sunday, 12:30-2:30 pm. | Closed on Tuesdays. Individual visitors only, with a booked ticket. |
| Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum | Permanent collection: Monday, 12:00-4:00 pm. | Saturday 9:00-11:00 pm is free only for temporary exhibitions, not the permanent collection. |
| Prado Museum | The last two hours before closing: Monday to Saturday, 6:00-8:00 pm; Sundays and holidays, 5:00-7:00 pm. | Tickets at the box office until capacity is reached. General admission, €15. Closed 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. |
Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen hours checked on their official websites on 19 October 2026. They can change on holidays. The Prado has reduced hours (10:00 am-2:00 pm) on 6 January, 24 and 31 December, and entry closes 30 minutes before closing time.
Reina Sofía: free-access days and closures
- Free all-day entry: 18 April, 18 and 22 May, 12 October and 6 December.
- Closures: 1 and 6 January, 1 May, 24, 25 and 31 December, and also 15 May and 9 November, dates that may change with Madrid's labour calendar.
- The Retiro venues (Palacio de Velázquez and Palacio de Cristal) open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from October to March.
9 November is Madrid's Almudena holiday: if you visit then, check which museums open first.
El Prado de noche: free night opening
According to the museum's own news, «El Prado de noche» opens free one Saturday a month, usually the first, from 8:30 to 11:30 pm, through the Jerónimos door until capacity is reached. Some dates have moved to another Saturday, so check the Prado calendar before planning it.
Tips to make the most of the free slots
- Arrive early: free slots are the busiest. Book or get a free ticket online if the museum allows it.
- Two hours go fast: pick one gallery or a key work instead of trying to see everything.
- Combine museums with transport: all three are near Atocha and the Paseo del Prado. See the tourist travel pass: prices and is it worth it.
What temporary exhibitions are on now
To see what is on at the Prado and the Thyssen these months, see what to do in Madrid in November 2026.
After the museums, the Madrid you do not see in the galleries
With the afternoon free, a private 1-hour tuk tuk takes you along the Paseo del Prado, Cibeles and Retiro Park with a driver-guide. If you prefer to plan calmly, our guide to Madrid in one day helps you organise the visit.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Reina Sofía Museum free?
Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 7-9 pm and Sunday 12:30-2:30 pm, plus some special days such as 12 October and 6 December. It is closed on Tuesdays.
When is the Thyssen free?
The permanent collection, Mondays 12:00-4:00 pm. On Saturdays 9-11 pm only the temporary exhibitions are free.
When is the Prado free?
In the last two hours before closing: Monday to Saturday 6-8 pm and Sundays and holidays 5-7 pm, with box-office tickets until capacity is reached.
Do I need a ticket in the free slots?
At the Reina Sofía you need a ticket, which can be booked online. Check each museum.
Sources
- Reina Sofía Museum: hours and fees
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: hours and fees
- Prado Museum: hours and prices
Facts and prices checked on 19 October 2026. They can change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.