Prado Museum Visit with an Art Historian, Madrid

Whether an art expert or novice, visiting the Museo Nacional del Prado with an art historian is one of the best ways to make the most of your time at the museum. On this private three-hour experience, you'll meet your guide at your hotel and stroll through the streets of Madrid toward "El Prado." Learn about the city's history and the museum's cultural importance as you walk, then skip the line and head straight into numerous halls lined with famous works of art by masters like Goya, Rubens, and Titian. As a private experience, your guide is happy to cater what you see and learn about to your interests.

Start your art-filled excursion by meeting your private guide at your hotel or apartment and strolling through Madrid's twisting streets. Chat about the city's history and even stop to view a few monuments along the way, depending on your path. If your journey is long, you can join your guide on the metro. Your destination is, of course, the Museo Nacional del Prado, considered the most important museum in Madrid (and one of the most popular in Europe).

Upon arrival, you'll skip the long lines and follow your guide inside, where your private art historian will cater the visit to your particular interests and provide additional information about the building and many of the 1,300 exhibits. It's impossible to view all those on display, but there are a few popular pieces that you might want to add to your list. Hear the true story of Velázquez's "Las Meninas," discover the secret to Goya's famous dark backgrounds, and seek out the tiny details of Bosch's 15th-century future-predicting piece, "The Garden of Earthly Delights Triptych."

You can also view iconic works like the "Third of May 1808" by Goya, "The Three Graces" by Rubens, "The Cardinal" by Raphael, and "Venus and Adonis" by Titian. Your guide will give you a full background about each piece and point out details you might not be able to find on your own. And, as you stroll from one masterpiece to the next, feel free to continue chatting about these renowned artists. After three hours filled with fascinating history and art, you'll say your goodbyes and part ways with your guide.