The Paseo del Prado: the museum mile

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Fuente de Cibeles

   Start at the goddess in her lion-drawn chariot, the fountain Real Madrid fans climb to celebrate. Stand on the central island if the lights let you, then walk south down the tree-lined promenade with the traffic on either flank.

   01

   Fuente de Cibeles

   Start at the goddess in her lion-drawn chariot, the fountain Real Madrid fans climb to celebrate. Stand on the central island if the lights let you, then walk south down the tree-lined promenade with the traffic on either flank.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

   The collection that fills the gaps the other two leave — early Italians, the Dutch, the Impressionists, a great room of Americans. Smaller than the Prado and easier to do in one visit. If you only have an hour, spend it here, not queueing.

   02

   Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza

   The collection that fills the gaps the other two leave — early Italians, the Dutch, the Impressionists, a great room of Americans. Smaller than the Prado and easier to do in one visit. If you only have an hour, spend it here, not queueing.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Fuente de Neptuno

   The sea-god with his trident in the middle of the square, the fountain Atlético de Madrid claim as theirs. A two-minute pause on the way down; cross carefully, the roundabout is busy.

   03

   Fuente de Neptuno

   The sea-god with his trident in the middle of the square, the fountain Atlético de Madrid claim as theirs. A two-minute pause on the way down; cross carefully, the roundabout is busy.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Museo del Prado

   The big one — Velázquez's *Las Meninas*, Goya's black paintings, Bosch's *Garden of Earthly Delights*. Don't try to see it all; pick three rooms and let the rest go. Enter by the Jerónimos door at the north end to skip the worst of the queue.

   04

   Museo del Prado

   The big one — Velázquez's *Las Meninas*, Goya's black paintings, Bosch's *Garden of Earthly Delights*. Don't try to see it all; pick three rooms and let the rest go. Enter by the Jerónimos door at the north end to skip the worst of the queue.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   CaixaForum and its vertical garden

   An old power station reskinned in rusted iron, floating on a recessed base so it seems to hover. Next to it, the living wall — thousands of plants on a blank gable, designed by Patrick Blanc. Free to stand and look up; the exhibitions inside are usually worth the ticket.

   05

   CaixaForum and its vertical garden

   An old power station reskinned in rusted iron, floating on a recessed base so it seems to hover. Next to it, the living wall — thousands of plants on a blank gable, designed by Patrick Blanc. Free to stand and look up; the exhibitions inside are usually worth the ticket.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Real Jardín Botánico gate

   The botanic garden's railings mark the end of the mile and the edge of Atocha. You don't have to go in here — that's a walk of its own — but the green wall of it closes the promenade well before you drop to the station.

   06

   Real Jardín Botánico gate

   The botanic garden's railings mark the end of the mile and the edge of Atocha. You don't have to go in here — that's a walk of its own — but the green wall of it closes the promenade well before you drop to the station.

   ◉Street View