The Prado Museum has implemented a measure to limit the size of visiting groups. The maximum goes from 30 to 20 people, in order to better distribute the public and offer a closer experience to the works. The rule, already in effect, respects existing reservations until June 2026 and prioritizes hours of lower attendance. It is part of the Host Project to avoid overcrowding.
Flow management and reservation algorithms: the technology behind the experience 🖥️
Behind this decision is a work of data analysis and capacity management. Ticket sales and group reservation systems must be recalibrated to apply the new limits and prioritize schedules with less concurrency. This involves adjusting real-time availability algorithms and dynamically redistributing slots. Technology enables that segmentation, directing large groups to specific time slots to balance the load in the rooms.
The new trend: queuing to see the queue for Las Meninas 😅
With smaller groups, the promise is to get closer to the paintings. Ironic to think that now, to see Las Meninas, the line to enter the group of 20 will be almost as long as the painting itself. At least the experience will be intimate: you'll be able to hear every sigh of impatience from the person in front and feel the guide's breath on your neck. A true sensory immersion, although not precisely in the Golden Age.