Prado Museum Director Warns Against Overcrowding, Emphasizes Quality Over Quantity
The director of the Prado Museum in Madrid, Miguel Falomir, has issued a cautionary statement regarding the museum's record-breaking visitor numbers. Despite welcoming a staggering 3.5 million visitors in 2025, an increase of over 56,000 from the previous year, Falomir asserts that the museum does not need 'a single visitor more.'
Falomir's concern is not just about the sheer number of visitors but also about maintaining the quality of the museum experience. He draws a parallel with the Louvre in Paris, which has faced challenges due to overcrowding. The Prado, home to renowned masterpieces like Velázquez's Las Meninas and Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights, aims to avoid becoming a victim of its own success.
The museum's director has initiated a new project, Plan Host, to prioritize quality over quantity. This initiative focuses on improving the visitor experience by optimizing entrances, reconsidering group sizes, and ensuring that visitors are aware of the rules regarding photography in the galleries. Falomir emphasizes that the museum's success should not be measured solely by visitor numbers but by the diversity and inclusivity of its audience.
Falomir highlights that 65% of last year's visitors were international, and he encourages more Spaniards to explore this cultural treasure. The museum's plans include enhancing the overall visitor experience, ensuring that the Louvre's issues, such as inadequate food options and restroom facilities, do not become a reality at the Prado.
