Madrid's Museo del Prado throws open its doors after dark on Saturday, 1 August, for one of its free nocturnal openings. Visitors can wander galleries usually seen only by daylight, finishing at the ground floor of the Villanueva building, where a newly opened exhibition on 19th-century painter Valeriano Bécquer awaits.
What it is
The centrepiece is "Valeriano D. Bécquer (1834–1870): Los cuadros de costumbres", an exhibition reuniting for the first time the eight paintings the artist made between 1866 and 1867 for the former Museo de la Trinidad. Bécquer received a royal pension to complete the commission, cut short in 1868 after the fall of Isabel II, and the paintings were later dispersed among different institutions. The show also draws on surviving documentation, including the painter's own descriptions of each scene.
Beyond the exhibition, the night route covers the ground floor of the Villanueva building, moving from Romanesque and Gothic painting through the Renaissance and into the 19th century. Works on view include pieces by Bosch, Van der Weyden, Sofonisba Anguissola, Fra Angelico, Patinir, Madrazo, Angelica Kauffmann, Aurelia Navarro, María Roësset, Fortuny and Goya.
Visitors can also try Photo Prado, a mobile photo app developed with Samsung. Using a QR code at two stations near the entrance and the shop, it places the visitor's silhouette into museum spaces and artworks using AI, generating a personalised, time-stamped image across three themes: masterpieces, the Prado's "paradises" and selfie backdrops.
Why it's worth attending
The Bécquer paintings are rarely shown together, and the night opening pairs that reunion with free access to premium content from La Guía del Prado for the duration of the visit, alongside interactive experiences developed with Samsung throughout the galleries. The lower visitor numbers after dark also make it a more comfortable way to see rooms that draw crowds during standard opening hours, and the Café Prado terrace and museum shop stay open later than usual.
Practical info
Entry is through the Jerónimos gate, with last access at 23:00. There's no advance booking; arrive with time to spare, as capacity is limited and access closes once the museum reaches it. The Café Prado terrace and museum shop stay open until 22:30.
FAQ
Is the Prado's night opening on 1 August really free?
Yes. Entry to "El Prado de noche" on Saturday, 1 August, from 20:30 to 23:00 (last access) is free, with capacity limited and no advance ticket required.
What exhibition is on show during the Prado's night opening?
"Valeriano D. Bécquer (1834–1870): Los cuadros de costumbres," reuniting the eight paintings the artist made for the former Museo de la Trinidad between 1866 and 1867.
Which entrance do I use for the Prado's nocturnal opening?
Visitors enter through the Jerónimos gate, with last access at 23:00 and the visit running until 23:30.
Is the Prado shop open during the night visit?
Yes, the museum shop and the Café Prado terrace both stay open until 22:30 during the nocturnal opening.
What is Photo Prado?
Photo Prado is a mobile app developed with Samsung that uses AI to place a visitor's silhouette into museum spaces and artworks, accessible via QR code near the entrance and the shop.
