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How to Skip the Line at the Reina Sofía

By the BeatTheCrowd team · Updated 20 October 2026 · 3 min read

Quick answer

Buy a ticket on the official museoreinasofia.es site (€12, no booking fee) and go at the 10 am opening on a weekday, straight to Guernica on the second floor. The free evening hours are popular and build queues, especially on Saturday afternoons. The museum is closed on Tuesdays.

At a glance

Ticket: €12 adults on the official site
Free: Under 18s, over 65s and eligible students. Free hours most evenings
Closed: Tuesdays, and some holidays
Hours

How long are the lines at the Reina Sofía?

With a paid ticket, the Reina Sofía usually has little or no queue. The lines form for the free entry hours, when people queue outside before the doors open. Inside, the room with Picasso's Guernica is the busiest spot, especially in the late morning and during free hours.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Before you go, check how busy the Reina Sofía is likely to be. BeatTheCrowd shows the live crowd level and an hourly forecast for any date, adjusted for Spanish holidays, school breaks and weather.

Check today’s crowds at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía →

Tickets and free hours

Option	Price	Good to know
General	€12	Official site, no booking fee
Under 18s, over 65s, eligible students	Free	With ID
Free hours	Free	Most weekday evenings and part of the weekend. Check the official site for current times
Paseo del Arte card	Discounted	With the Prado and Thyssen

Avoid unofficial sellers

Some websites sell Reina Sofía tickets at inflated prices. The official site is museoreinasofia.es.

Best (and worst) times to go

10 am on a weekday: see Guernica with room to breathe.

Weekday free evenings: quieter than the weekend free slots.

Worst: Saturday afternoon and Sunday free hours, and rainy weekends.

Tuesdays: closed.

🔑 The free skip-the-line hack

Our hourly forecast for the Reina Sofía shows how busy each hour is expected to be on your date.

Check today’s crowds at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía →

FAQs

How much is the Reina Sofía?

€12 for adults on the official site. Under-18s, over-65s and eligible students go free.

When is the Reina Sofía free?

During free hours on most weekday evenings and part of the weekend. Check the official site for the current times.

Is the Reina Sofía closed on Tuesdays?

Yes.

What is the best time to see Guernica?

At the 10 am opening on a weekday. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.

Sources

How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 20 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.

Getting there	Metro line 1 to Estación del Arte, or Atocha station, a 2-minute walk.
Hours	Monday and Wednesday to Saturday 10 am to 9 pm. Sunday 10 am to 2:30 pm. Closed Tuesdays.
How long to allow	2-3 hours.

How to Skip the Line at the Reina Sofía

How long are the lines at the Reina Sofía?

Tickets and free hours

Best (and worst) times to go

Insider tips that actually save time

Practical info

Mistakes that cost you an hour

Is skip-the-line worth paying extra for?