Paseo del Prado

Paseo del Prado, which has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), is one of the city of Madrid’s most important boulevards. It runs from Plaza del Emperador Carlos V (also known as the Glorieta de Atocha) and Plaza de Cibeles. Having undergone several renovations, it is one of the city’s main and busiest thoroughfares (the Prado-Recoletos axis).

Extending along more than a kilometre we find one of Madrid’s most privileged places insofar as its historical, artistic and cultural heritage is concerned. Of particular note are:

• The Prado Museum; the Villanueva Building, with its Neoclassical architecture, houses one of the most important art galleries in the world.
• The Royal Botanical Gardens.
• The Church of the Jeronimos and the Casón del Buen Retiro (manor house).
• Some of the city’s most historical hotels stand at the intersection of Paseo del Prado with Plaza Cánovas del Castillo and Plaza de las Cortes, the Hotel Ritz for example, or the Hotel Palace.
• And at its intersection with Plaza de la Lealtad, we find the Neoclassical Stock Exchange and the Monument to the Fallen for Spain.
• The entire length of the Paseo is enhanced by a number of outstanding sculptural ensembles such as the Fountains of Neptune, Cybele and Apollo.

Paseo del Prado is also known as the Paseo del Arte (Art Walk), given that three of the city’s most important museums are to be found here, the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofía Museum and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum.

Other noteworthy buildings include the CaixaForum cultural centre with its curious vertical garden and the pedestrian street known as Cuesta de Moyano, which is home to a traditional book market.

Updated: 11/04/2019