Step through the majestic columns of the Prado Museum in Madrid and step into one of the world’s finest collections of European art. This small-group guided tour will delve deep into the artwork in an engaging and personalised way. Marta, one of our local guides, says, ‘The Prado Museum’s collections are the legacy of almost 200 years of collecting by the 16th and 17th-century Spanish monarchs. There’s lots of history behind each painting, so it’s my goal to point out the most important details and place it all in context for you.’

Drawing people from far and wide, you’ll get to see what all the fuss is about inside as you start exploring this treasure trove of European artworks dating from the 12th to early 20th century. Enjoy top Spanish artists including Francisco Goya – see Saturn devouring his son and The Firing Squads of May 3 in Madrid – and Diego Velázquez, whose best-known artistic creation Las Meninas is also displayed. Listen as your guide summarises history, stories and fun facts about the top-class paintings.

The museum’s grand halls also display Italian Renaissance work. Botticelli, Caravaggio and Raphael have their home in the Prado as well as Peter Paul Rubens, Bosch and Rembrandt of Flemish and Dutch art. The museum also houses a collection of over 1,000 statues and temporary exhibitions. Marta says, ‘With so many world-renowned artists, it’s no surprise the Prado Museum is a source of inspiration for a whole new generation of painters, from the classic to the avant-garde.’