Around the Prado: What to See Within 10 Minutes' Walk

The Prado can be visited in a few hours, but what surrounds it deserves as much attention: a botanical garden, a church, the city's largest park, two neighbouring museums and a literary quarter. This guide sorts places by walking time from the Prado's entrance. The times are guides for a normal pace, to adapt to your own; they do not account for traffic lights and crossings. For a full-day walk, see the Paseo del Arte.

2 to 5 Minutes: The Immediate Neighbours

The main entrance of the Royal Botanical Garden

San Jerónimo el Real church: right behind the museum, on the high ground; a short stop for its exterior.
Royal Botanical Garden: its own entrance, separate from the Retiro; a good green break between two visits.
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum: across the avenue, at Paseo del Prado 8.
Naval Museum: calle de Montalbán, in a little-visited area; free, with a suggested voluntary contribution.

5 to 10 Minutes: The North-South Walk

CaixaForum: recognisable by its vertical garden, opposite the Botanical Garden; go in only if the current exhibition interests you.
Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo: the Neptune fountain in the middle, facing the grand hotels. A photo stop, not a visit.
Plaza de la Lealtad: the Dos de Mayo obelisk and the Madrid Stock Exchange building, a calm junction before the climb towards Cibeles.
Barrio de las Letras: pedestrian streets west of the Paseo del Prado, where Cervantes, Lope de Vega and Quevedo lived; the Lope de Vega house can be visited.
Cuesta de Moyano: the row of book stalls, towards Atocha.

10 to 15 Minutes: The Big Landmarks

Retiro Park: the nearest gate is under 10 minutes away; allow at least an hour for the lake and the main paths.
Cibeles Palace and the Cibeles fountain: north of the avenue, a landmark to end the walk.
Puerta de Alcalá: at the north-east entrance of the Retiro.
Reina Sofía Museum and Atocha station: to the south; the Reina Sofía needs a separate visit. See Prado or Reina Sofía.

Three Mini-Routes

Your time	Route	Note
1 hour after the museum	Jerónimos, Botanical Garden, back along the avenue	Avoid adding a paid visit
2 to 3 hours	Retiro, lake, exit towards the Puerta de Alcalá	Perfect in good weather
Half a day	Letras, Lope de Vega house, Cuesta de Moyano, Atocha	Plan lunch in the Letras

Practical Tips

Heat: in summer, walk in the morning or late afternoon; the avenue's paths are shaded but the crossings are exposed.
Closing days: many small museums close on Monday, the Reina Sofía on Tuesday; check before setting out.
Children and strollers: the Retiro and the avenue suit them well; the Letras streets have narrow pavements and slopes.
Eating: see where to eat near the Prado.
Metro: Banco de España (line 2) and Estación del Arte (line 1) serve the area; Retiro (line 2) is closest to the park.