The Prado Museum in Madrid has implemented new crowd control measures to combat overtourism, including reducing the maximum size of tour groups from 30 to 20 people and restricting group access to off-peak afternoon hours. The museum is also promoting "thematic routes" to disperse visitors into less crowded galleries.
These measures reflect a strategic shift for the Prado, which welcomed a record 3.5 million visitors in 2025. Director Miguel Falomir has stated he does not want further visitor growth, aiming to avoid the overcrowding and infrastructural strain experienced by museums like the Louvre. The move signals a broader industry reckoning with balancing accessibility with preservation and visitor experience.