Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia: Which One Is Better?

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

entry ticket 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

entry ticket prado museum

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

1. Which museum is better, Prado Museum vs. Reina Sofia?

2. What is the most important museum in Madrid?

3. How long will you spend in the Reina Sofia Museum?

4. Which museum is suitable for kids, Prado Museum vs Reina Sofia?

5. What room is Picasso in at Reina Sofia?

Featured Image: Hotels.com, Museoreinasofia.es

Sugested post
Share the Post:
Amenities
Accessibility and Mobility
Wheelchair access
Lift and Ramps
Information and Navigation
Information Desk
Audio guides
Guide Map
Safety and Security
First aid
Security and surveillance
Convenience
Restrooms
Baby changing facilities
Lockers and Cloakroom
Water Filter