Moment · Spain
The Prado Before Opening, with a Private Art Historian
Slip into Madrid's great museum through a side door before the public, and stand alone before Las Meninas and Bosch's Garden.
Through the Side Door
Madrid is only just waking, the sun not yet on the building’s front, when a small, unmarked side door opens: no crowd, no line, a whole museum ahead of you. That’s how you enter the Museo Nacional del Prado before hours. Inside, lights come up slowly over the marble floors to reveal one of the world’s greatest collections of European painting, and with only a few other early visitors and your own art historian, you move through the rooms with time, space, and focus.
Spain’s Treasure House
The Prado is Spain’s most important museum and a cornerstone of European art. Opened in 1819 and once home to the royal collection, it now holds more than 7,000 works, with masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya, El Greco, Rubens, and Titian. Normally it draws thousands a day, timed tickets and tour groups crowd even the big rooms, and works like Las Meninas and The Garden of Earthly Delights, which are almost always ringed by people. Going in early lets you take it in at your own pace, without distraction.
An Unhurried Guide
Your art historian never hurries, tuning the visit to you, whether you want to focus on one painter or get a broad introduction to Spanish court painting. The calm of the early hour makes it easy to concentrate, and starting your day this way leaves the rest of it free for Madrid. Chueca, the lively heart of the city’s LGBTQ+ life, is a pleasant walk away for lunch. It’s a wonderful morning for a couple, friends, or a solo art lover.
About Out Of Office
Out Of Office is a luxury tailor-made travel company with a focus on delivering exclusivity and inclusivity. Our passion for global adventure is matched only by our deep commitment to delivering exceptional five-star service.
Everything we do is customised and designed especially for you – our valued customer – based on your exact personal requirements. Each member of our team is widely travelled. This means you get access to first-rate travel insights and the best possible advice from our team of luxury travel experts.
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Request a quote →Las Meninas, Goya and Bosch
The route usually takes in the highlights of the Spanish collection. You may find Velázquez’s Las Meninas with nobody in front of it, extraordinarily rare on a normal day, with Goya’s famous portraits nearby and later the room holding The Third of May 1808, his haunting scene of execution under Napoleonic rule. Further on, Hieronymus Bosch’s triptychs seem almost lit from within without passing crowds, especially The Garden of Earthly Delights, which rewards an unhurried look.
The route can be tailored: some prefer a journey from Renaissance to Romanticism; others one period or artist. The layout allows flexibility, and because numbers are strictly limited, you can stop, go back, or linger without disturbing anyone.
Your Out Of Office LGBTQ+ travel specialist can pair the visit with a welcoming Madrid hotel, and our Spain guide covers LGBTQ+ rights and travel advice.
One named specialist, from the first conversation to the flight home.
You will deal with one named member of our team throughout your interactions with us, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.
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We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.