Madrid has three great museums that form the Golden Triangle of Art.
The Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid is the city’s most popular destination.
However, the Prado Museum and Reina Museum Sofia stand out among these three museums due to their unique art collections.
The Prado Museum has a more classical collection but has great paintings such as Las Meninas, La Maja Desnuda, La Anunciación, or El Jardín de las Delicias.
The Reina Sofia Museum, on the other hand, has a collection related to surrealism and abstract art.
If you are visiting the city under a time constraint, you can visit one of these museums for the best experience.
This article helps you understand which museum is better, the Reina Sofia vs Prado Museum.
Quick Comparison: Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia
Prado Museum
Originally built as a Natural history cabinet
Opened to the general public in 1819
The Prado Museum houses the largest number of artworks in the country.
Located on the main boulevard of Paseo del Prado in central Madrid
Must see works from El Greco, Goya, Velasquez, and Rembrandt.
“Las Meninas” by Velasquez
Indoor cafe, seating area, and refreshments
Reina Sofia
It was originally the Madrid General Hospital
Inaugurated in 1992
The Reina Sofia Museum has comparatively smaller collections.
Situated near the Atocha station at the southern part of the Golden Triangle of Art
Artworks from Dali, Miro, Picasso and
Juan Gris
‘Guernica’ by Picasso
Indoor restaurants with seating areas
Location and Better Accessibility: Prado vs Reina Sofia
The Prado Museum and Reina Sofia are located near each other as part of the Golden Triangle of Art.
The National Art Museum of Spain (Prado) is on central Madrid’s main boulevard, Paseo Del Prado.
El Prado Address: C. de Ruiz de Alarcón, 23, 28014 Madrid, Spain
If you are with kids, visit the El Retiro park first and then walk towards the Prado Museum.
The Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia is near the Atocha train and metro stations.
It is located at the southern end of the Golden Triangle of Art in Madrid.
Reina Sofia Museum address: C. de Sta. Isabel, 52, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Opening Hours: Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia Museum
The museums have different weekday and weekend hours.
The Prado Museum hours for Monday to Saturday are from 10 am to 8 pm. On Sundays, they are from 10 am to 7 pm.
While the Reina Sofia hours for Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday are 10 am to 9 pm, and on Sunday, from 10 am to 2:30 pm.
The museums also have free admission for visitors during the last two hours of the day.
One difference is that Reina Sofia’s museum hours change according to the season.
Highlights: Reina Sofia vs Prado Museum
The Prado Museum has a more classical collection, with most paintings of a religious nature.
It offers masterpieces by famous artists like Goya, Tiziano, Velázquez, Rubens, Fra Angelico, Bosch, Rembrandt, Caravaggio, Murillo, El Greco, and more.
Famous paintings in the Prado Museum are Las Meninas, La Maja Desnuda, La Anunciación, and El Jardin de las Delicias.
The Reina Sofia Museum, on the other hand, has a collection related to surrealism and abstract art.
It shows works from artists like Dali, Picasso, Miró, Sorolla, Juan Gris, Max Ernst, Chillida, Diego Ribera, and Roy Lichtenstein.
The most impressive Reina Sofia painting is the canvas El Guernica by Picasso, which depicts the horrors of war.
Regarding artworks and collections, the Prado Museum stands out for being the most prominent art collector in the country.
Restaurants: Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia
Both museums have cafes and restaurants, as strolling around the museums continuously for two to three hours can be tiring.
The Prado Museum has the Prado Cafe right next to the courtyard, which serves delicious snacks and refreshments.
Reina Sofia has two restaurants, Arzábal Retiro and NuBel, that serve delicious meals with a varied menu.
Architecture: Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia Museum
The Prado Museum was initially built as a natural history museum designed by the great architect Juan de Villanueva.
However, to modernize it in 2001, architect Rafael Monroe created temporary buildings for the museum to expand.
In addition, the Prado Museum is also known as the Prado Campus, as it has many buildings.
The Casón del Buen Retiro, Palacio del Buen Retiro, and Prado Library are all part of the museum.
On the other hand, the Reina Sofia Museum is just a little behind with its infrastructure.
Italian architect Francesco Sabatini originally built it in 1986. But it was later converted into the General Hospital of Madrid in 1988.
In the 19th century, after being abandoned for years, Reina Sofia was renovated and turned into a museum.
Like Prado, Reina was modernized through an international competition in 2001 for an extension.
The new building housed offices, temporary exhibitions, and the library.
The groundbreaking red design features a standard roof over three different buildings, giving it a unique look.
Difference between the Prado Museum and the Reina Sofia. Which one is better?
Undoubtedly, the Prado and Reina Sofia are excellent museums with extraordinary collections.
However, when ranking the best of the two, we highly recommend the Prado Museum.
It has a vast collection of renowned artists from the 16th century to the 20th century.
These are missing in the Reina Sofia Museum, which focuses on 20th-century contemporary artworks.
But if you wish to get the best art experience in Madrid, book the Paseo del Arte card and visit all three Golden Art Triangle museums.
FAQs
Which museum is better, Prado Museum vs. Reina Sofia?
The Prado Museum is better than the Reina Sofia due to its extensive art collection.
Also, as the National Art Museum of Spain, the Prado has more significance and is an essential landmark of the country.
Most visitors to Madrid prefer visiting the Prado over the Reina Sofia Museum.
What is the most important museum in Madrid?
The largest and most important museum in Madrid is the Prado Museum.
It is also the most famous in the country, with millions of visitors coming to explore this attraction.
The museum’s permanent collection spans different artists, centuries, and genres.
How long will you spend in the Reina Sofia Museum?
A minimum of two hours is enough to explore the Reina Sofia Museum.
Although vast, it would take hours for a visitor to thoroughly review it.
You can visit its main highlights and gems and still get the whole experience of the famous museum.
Which museum is suitable for kids, Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia?
The Prado Museum is a good, art-friendly option for kids.
As some of the Dali Reina Sofia paintings are inappropriate for children, Padro is relatively better.
What room is Picasso in at Reina Sofia?
The Guernica by Picasso is in the 205.10 room of the Reina Sofia Museum.
It is on the second floor of the Sabatini building.
After receiving a commission from the Republic for the Spanish Pavilion at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques dans la Vie Moderne, Picasso made the painting.
Featured Image: Hotels.com, Museoreinasofia.es
