Prado Museum luggage storage

About the Prado Museum

The Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, often simply called the Prado, is among the world's most prestigious art galleries. Opened to the public in 1819, the museum was initially established to house the royal art collection, showcasing the wealth of works acquired by the Spanish monarchy over the centuries. Its neoclassical building, designed by architect Juan de Villanueva, elegantly complements the priceless masterpieces it contains. This attraction is so popular that over 2.4 million people peruse its collections every year.

The Prado Museum's collection spans from the 12th to the early 20th century, focusing primarily on the works of the great European masters. Among its most celebrated exhibits is Diego Velázquez's "Las Meninas," a masterpiece of Western art that offers a complex and enigmatic portrayal of the Spanish royal family. Francisco de Goya's extensive collection, including both his court paintings and the profoundly moving "Black Paintings," reflects the tumultuous history of Spain and the depth of human suffering. Hieronymus Bosch's "The Garden of Earthly Delights" provides a fascinating, detailed triptych full of symbolic imagery. With this one, make sure you save enough time to appreciate all of its many details.

In addition to these iconic works, the museum houses significant collections of Italian, Flemish, and Dutch masters, including Raphael, Titian, El Greco, and Rembrandt. Located along Madrid's Paseo del Prado, the museum benefits from its proximity to other cultural institutions, forming part of the city's Golden Triangle of Art.

Whether you're a seasoned art aficionado or a curious traveler, the Prado Museum definitely earns a place on your Madrid itinerary.

Prado Museum bag policy

To keep things simple, at the Prado Museum, all visitors must leave any personal belongings in the cloakroom before entering. This includes backpacks, bags, and any suitcases. Plus, if you are planning to take advantage of the reading room, the rules are even more strict. You are also not permitted to bring in personal items like books, umbrellas, and coats into the area.

The Prado has a cloakroom that you can use to store all the prohibited items for free, and there are small lockers to keep things secure.

Can you store luggage at the Prado Museum?

Yes, the Prado has a cloakroom with lockers where you can store items like coats and smaller bags. This museum is extremely popular so the space fills up fast. If you have multiple bags or larger suitcases, you're better off storing your stuff ahead of time at one of the many Bounce luggage storage facilities in Madrid. Then, your things will be stored centrally and you can pick them up whenever you're ready.

How much time do you need at the Prado Museum?

That depends. If you're more of a skim-the-surface kind of museum-goer, an hour or two is enough. On the other hand, if you want to cover everything and spend time appreciating the artwork, three to four hours is recommended.

Can I leave my luggage at Madrid airport?

Yes, the airport has a left luggage service available to travelers. There are three luggage storage locations at Madrid Airport - T1, T2, and T4. The prices range from €6 for the first two hours to €30 per bag for up to 72 hours. If these prices feel a bit steep, you can easily store luggage with Bounce near the airport for just €5 per bag for 24 hours.

How to get to the Prado Museum

From Madrid Airport

When you're anxious to get right to the museum from the airport, all you need to do is take a single bus. Hop on the #203 bus from the Aeropuerto T2 stop. Then, travel three stops and exit at Madrid Atocha. Once at the main train station, you can easily walk to the museum. Don't let the three stops fool you as the distance is quite large. You'll be on the bus for around 35 minutes and the entire journey will take 50 minutes. Also, if you plan to go straight to the Prado Museum, it might make sense to find luggage storage with Bounce along the way.

From Madrid Atocha Train Station

If you arrive in the city via Madrid Atocha, then your trip to the Prado couldn't be easier. You don't need a car or public transport - you can walk in 10 to 15 minutes. It's a perfectly pleasant walk past the Royal Botanical Garden, and you can even walk through the famous El Retiro Park if you don't mind a slight detour.

Things to do near Prado Museum

Puerta del Sol

Puerta del Sol is quite literally the bustling heart of Madrid. At its core, it's a public square, but it's also the symbolic center of the Spanish capital and, by extension, Spain itself. This iconic plaza is where all distances in Spain are measured from the zero-kilometer marker. Historically, Puerta del Sol was part of the 15th-century city defense walls, with its name, meaning "Gate of the Sun," derived from the rising sun adorning one of the gates.

Puerta del Sol is a hive of activity where locals grab a coffee in a cafe and tourists visit intriguing landmarks like the famous clock atop the Real Casa de Correos, the focal point of Spain's New Year's Eve celebrations. The square is also home to the beloved statue of El Oso y el Madroño, which depicts a bear and a strawberry tree that represents Madrid's coat of arms.

How to get to Puerta del Sol

You have two choices that each take about 20 minutes to get from the Prado to the square. The cheapest is to walk. If it's raining or your feet need a bit of a break, take the Line 1 Metro from Estacion Del Arte to Sol. This route also involves walking for about 10 minutes, though.

Plaza Mayor

This grand rectangular square has played a pivotal role in the city's history since its construction began in 1617 under King Philip III, whose equestrian statue adorns the center. Originally used for bullfights, executions, and coronations, Plaza Mayor has evolved into a vibrant gathering place surrounded by elegant three-story residential buildings with over 200 balconies facing the square. Visitors can explore the picturesque arcades, traditional shops, and the beautiful frescoes of the Casa de la Panadería, which provides a much sought-after backdrop for the numerous cafes and restaurants that line the square.

How to get to Plaza Mayor

Getting here is best done on foot. The walk takes a little over 20 minutes and you'll pass by lovely historic buildings along the way.

Royal Palace of Madrid

Palacio Real was built in the European Baroque style and is the official residence of the Spanish Royal Family, though now primarily used for state ceremonies. Constructed in the 18th century under the reign of Philip V, it replaced the former Alcázar fortress after a devastating fire. With over 3,000 rooms, it ranks among Europe's largest palaces. You can expect opulent decor, exquisite tapestries, and ornate frescoes. Highlights include the Throne Room, with its impressive ceiling painted by Tiepolo, the Royal Armory, and the Royal Pharmacy. The palace's grandeur and meticulously maintained gardens make it a must-visit historical landmark in Madrid.

How to get to the Royal Palace

Like many attractions you try to get to from the Prado, public transportation and walking take around the same amount of time. Walking is a 30-minute route through the city streets and you can grab a single bus (001 Moncloa) from the Museo Del Prado stop to Santo Domingo for a total of seven stops for the same route duration.

Luggage storage near the Prado Museum

Madrid is absolutely full of popular sights and it's safe to say that the Prado is usually at the top of that list. For art lovers, a visit to Madrid without a stop here is a real oversight. The Prado's central location makes it the ideal jumping-off point to explore the city with easy connections to buses and major train stations like Madrid Atocha.

To make your Madrid trip as easy as possible, make sure you have a plan for any extra baggage. That plan should start and end with Bounce. Whether you need luggage storage for a few hours before you check-in to your hotel or for much longer periods, we can help. Bounce has an extensive network of locations that you can find and book easily online. You can drop off a suitcase (or two), a backpack, shopping bags, or anything else you don't want to carry. And we do it all for an affordable price.