When I first arrived to Barcelona I was quite surprised to find that State owned museums charged a fee to enter! Depending on the museum, the cost can be higher or lower but free museums in Barcelona are hard to find! As someone who loves whiling away a few hours in galleries or exhibits, I quickly learned what timetables various sites had that are free for anyone to visit.
INDEX
- Barcelona Free Museums on Sundays
- Free Museums on the 1st Sunday of the month
- Barcelona Free Museums on other days
- Tips on how to make the best of the Free Museums in Barcelona
Barcelona Free Museums on Sundays
City History Museum
A must see is Barcelona’s History Museum where you will experience first-hand the Roman city. It is housed in Casa Padellàs a late 15th century Gothic palace. This building was moved to Plaça del Rei stone by stone in 1931 to protect it from demolition.
Here, a cool eerie labyrinth transports you back 2,000 years and allows you to meander through 4,000m2 of streets and homes. You can’t get much closer to feeling what it was like to be a Roman in Barcelona.
NOT TO MISS: After the stroll through Roman Barcelona underground, don’t miss the fabulously restored Saló del Tinell. The old medieval dining room of the kings. It is up the stairs to the right and can be overlooked by visitors sometimes who miss the turn or get distracted by the temporary exhibitions sometimes held inside.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)
Natural History Museum
The Museum of Natural Sciences is located within the Forum Building, an architectural landmark designed by the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. It is a building that has sparked controversy as there have been a great many spats over its construction costs. Politics aside it’s a good space to take the kids.
They have a permanent exhibition, “Planet Life”, that represents the direct relationship between man and earth. Stuffed animals, interactive screens, projected videos, fossils and more are all housed in a dark atmospheric space. On top of all of this it also hosts good temporary exhibitions so it’s worth checking to see what’s on.
NOT TO MISS: Visiting with kids the media library provides great source of fun reading material after the visit. If you are organised enough, check on their website when you can book in for the science nest. It is for very young members (0 to 6) and allows hand on touching of every exhibit inside. It is usually open in the morning and allows limited numbers of people inside for half hour turns.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Museu Blau (NAT)
Botanical Gardens of Barcelona
Barcelona Botanical Gardens (affiliated with Museu Blau above) offers a 14-hectare oasis and splendid views of the city. As it’s not too well connected, you’ll have to check for buses and walk a bit. The plus side of it being a bit off track is that it can be gloriously peaceful at times.
With landscaping and habitat from Chile, Australia, California, South Africa and the Mediterranean, it offers nice eye candy to the enthusiastic gardener. Finish your visit at the Botanic Institute which regularly hold exhibitions relating to the fascinating world of plants!
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Jardí Botànic (NAT)
Frederic Marès Museum
If crucifixes and all things curious are your bag, then aim to spend some time here. Born in the northern coastal tip of Catalonia, Portbou, Marès was a university professor, sculptor and collector. His own public work includes the fountain in Plaça Catalunya and the steps leading to Montjüic, among other places in the city.
His passion also lay with the art of collecting. He died in 1991, aged 91, leaving behind a truly eclectic collection. In a number of rooms you’ll find sculptures (some his) dating from Antiquity to more modern times and, in the basement, a vast assembly of crucifixes and Madonnas. The top floor houses hundreds of smaller 19th century items such as pipes, combs, fans and toys.
NOT TO MISS: There really is something for everyone here. Personally, I love the ladies room filled with Art Nouveau jewellery, fans, purses etc. Please don’t forget the windows! Look out of them to get upper view of Barcelona’s Cathedral and beautiful surroundings!
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Museu Frederic Marès (MFM)
El Born Cultural & Memorial Centre (El Born CCM)
The impressive iron and glass structure were designed by Josep Fonterè in 1876 and originally housed a food market. However, today its function is quite different. During some works inside the market, an archaeological dig was done revealing beautifully preserved paths and house foundations from the previous neighbourhood which once stood here.
Booking into a tour is compulsory if you want to go down and walk through the footsteps of locals who lived there in centuries gone by, up to the War of Succession that ended in 1714. In reprisal, this neighbourhood was pulled down to make way for the Ciutadella Fortress, a symbol of repression for many years. It is a fascinating insight to a pivotal point in Catalan history which even effects politics today.
NOT TO MISS: One fascinating detail are the cannon balls on display that were recovered from the excavation of the neighbourhood, giving grim reality to the year long siege the locals endured in 1714.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria
Ethnological & Cultures of the World Museum
Think about a group of passionate intellectuals in ethnology worried about how quickly the world was advancing and changing. They felt there was a need to preserve objects relating to traditions within society throughout the world. This is how the Ethnological and World Cultures Museum was born. The growing collection has now been split into two locations.
Ethnological Museum (Montjuïc)
If you are interested in Catalan origins and its social and cultural history, then this is the place for you. The central space takes six main objects (i.e. boat, loom, wine press…) and relate it to Catalan cultures comparing it to other societies. Some objects can be touched while screens and computers are on display for the public to interact with. This provides a lovely insight to the Catalan way.
World Cultures Museum (Carrer Montcada)
Again, a fascinating look into culture and traditions but focusing on the other four continents. What immediately strikes you is how beautiful the building itself is. Two old merchant’s palaces have been renovated to hold this diverse collection. From masks to costumes to descriptions and videos, this show will take you on a trip around world traditions.
NOT TO MISS: If travelling with kids, don’t miss the interactive room in the upper story on Montcada street. It brings the exhibit alive with music, recipes and language. Adults have a great time too!
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITES: Museu Etnològic & Museu de Cultures del Món
Music Museum
This is interesting for music lovers out there. Here you will find a collection of around 2,000 instruments from all over the world of which 500 are on display. Travel through time exploring instruments and music from the middle ages right up to the modern day.
They run concerts and workshops, so it is worth checking out their website to see what’s on during your visit. The tour finishes in an interactive hall where you can have a bash at playing some instruments yourself. It is a great hit with kids for sure.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm, Thursday after 6pm & first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Museu de la Música
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
The Contemporary Cultural Centre of Barcelona is a “space for creation, research, exhibition and debate on contemporary culture”. It hosts an interesting array of temporary shows.
Everything is cutting edge here and the exhibitions are always changing, so it is worth checking their website to find out what is on show. Location as it is right behind the MACBA in the Raval neighbourhood.
NOT TO MISS: If you are around for the annual World Press Photo exhibition it is an eye-opening exhibit of within the moment photos and fascinating videos. I never miss a year! Because it is a popular exhibit go before the opening time for the free visit as this does attract the masses and queues to go in.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm.
WEBSITE: Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
Maritime Museum
The Maritime museum was once Barcelona’s Royal Shipyard. It is a perfectly conserved example of Gothic architecture as the construction began in the 13th century. The museum is worth visiting for the impressive vaulted ceiling and vast chamber alone. The displays are interesting and illustrate how shipbuilding and navigational know-how have developed over the years.
Great location to bring kids and lots of easy to interpret exhibits, this is a great museum all round. From strange looking maps, to descriptions of life as a galley slave, to scale models, to videos, it is so easy to get absorbed into marine history here. It is very handily located off Las Ramblas so very easy to combine with sightseeing.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm.
WEBSITE: Museu Marítim de Barcelona (MMB)
Design Museum (HUB)
The first thing that strikes you is the boxy shaped building itself, located in the very modern area of Glòries. The Textile and Design Museums were transferred recently to this structure and it is such amazing space that it breathes new life into what was an already fascinating collection. With sacks of room inside, it also houses the local library of the neighbourhood and interesting temporary exhibits.
For the permanent works head upstairs. The design museum is great. In one section you can wander around viewing old furniture, glass ware, ceramics that shows the progression of the decorative Arts (3rd to 20th century). I love this section as it reminds me of wandering around top notch antiques shop and musing in my head what would look great in my house.
Also interesting is taking a look at revolutionary Catalan designs from the 1920’s until modern day. There is a very funky vibe going through this section and anyone into retro will definitely enjoy it.
NOT TO MISS: The textile section has to be my favourite. With garments dating back as far as the 16th century, it is incredibly fun to see the changing fashions over the years. Wonder at how small people were back then, wince at how tightly corsets fitted, awed by royal robes, appreciate detailed beading and be bedazzled at the gorgeousness of designer evening gear. There is something for everyone.
FREE TIMES: Every Sunday after 3pm and first Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Disseny HUB Barcelona
Free Museums on the 1st Sunday of the month
Catalonia’s National Art Museum (MNAC)
Impressively seated at the top of Montjuïc is the Palau Nacional, within which the Catalan National Art Museum is located. This beautiful building was constructed for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition and gazes down on to the whole city. The museum is widely respected for its extensive collection of Gothic and Romanesque church paintings as well as late 19th & 20th century Catalan Art.
It is one of the largest museums in Spain and has a majestic avenue leading up to it from the very impressive Placa d’Espanya. Escalators help the long climb to the entrance way. For foodies, there is lovely restaurant at the top of the museum which does a great set price menu during the day. Very fancy altogether.
NOT TO MISS: The Romanesque collection (11th to 13th centuries) is quite extraordinary and world famous. It comprises of plaster murals painstakingly removed from their original churches in the Pyrenees during the early 19th century and brought to Barcelona for protection. Why? Private collectors were exploiting the remote location of these churches and taking the Artwork for their own collections. There is a fascinating video of the process used within this section. Beautifully displayed, the gem in the crown of this collection is from Sant Climent by the master of Taüll.
FREE TIMES: First Sunday of the month from 10am to 3pm & Saturdays after 3pm.
WEBSITE: Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is located in the pretty medieval part of the city and proudly exhibits some 4,000 works by Pablo Picasso. Opened to the public in 1963, it was the first of its kind. Dedicated to him and his work, it acknowledges his lifelong love for and relationship with Barcelona. Picasso himself donated many of his works from his childhood and, more than any other exhibits, shows how he developed as a painter.
The location is very pretty, made up of five adjoining medieval palaces. Three house the substantial permanent collection and the other two temporary exhibitions.
NOT TO MISS: Las Meninas! No, not the Velazquez painting from 1623 but Picasso’s exhaustive pictorial analysis of this work. It is a fascinating study by Picasso where you as a viewer will learn more about the original masterpiece and be awed by Picasso’s energetic obsession with this piece.
FREE TIMES: First Sunday of the month & Thursdays from 6pm to 9:30pm. Pre-booking your free ticket is essential (tickets are available online from 4 days before the date).
WEBSITE: Museu Picasso Barcelona
Palau Güell by Gaudí
Just off Las Ramblas you can find this jewel that is Palau Güell. Make no mistake, it might not be one of Antoni Gaudí’s best known buildings, but it was one of his earliest important commissions. Eusebi Güell an influential businessman and patron of the Arts asked Gaudí to build an urban palace, what was to be an extension of his family home on Las Ramblas.
There is so much to see! In this building no area is off limits so you get to wander from the stables located in the basement right up to the chimneys on the roof terrace. The audio guide is one of the better ones with lots of extra add on options. The palace is decorated with impressive wrought-iron works, wood, ceramic, stained glass and stone works so do try and fit it into your day if possible.
NOT TO MISS: The starry sky top of the main salon. When you enter this room don’t forget to look up! This room is the heart of the building, so it essentially has no ceiling. When you turn your eyes towards the heavens, it is to the roof of the building which has lots of small windows giving you that night time impression.
FREE TIMES: First Sunday of the month. Like with the Picasso Museum, pre-booking your free ticket is mandatory (tickets are available online the Monday before the date).
WEBSITE: Palau Güell
Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes
This Gothic Monastery was founded in 1326 and declared a national monument in 1991. It really is a national treasure. Off the beaten track, and certainly overlooked by the hoards that visit Barcelona, it is so worth a visit. Wander through the life of the St. Claire nuns who resided there until quite recently.
From the kitchens to the storerooms, converted dormitories, its church, refractory and abbey room, there is plenty to marvel at. But at its heart you will find the largest Gothic tri-layered cloister in the world.
Housed within its wall is a large collection of Art and artefacts from furniture, gold & silver, pottery and manuscripts. St Michael’s chapel might not be the Sistine chapel but certainly packs a punch. Painted by Ferrer Bassa, its lovely and colourful rendition shows the passion of Christ and joys of the Virgin.
Check out their website also to see what temporary exhibits may be on show while visiting.
NOT TO MISS: The most fascinating piece of art for me is the Sepulchre of Queen Elisenda (1292-1364). She was the founder of the monastery and spent many years running the community after the death of her husband. It is a beautiful piece of Gothic sculpture, made from marble it has weathered the years in testament to this extraordinary lady!
FREE TIMES: First Sunday of the month.
WEBSITE: Real Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes
Catalonia’s History Museum
If you’re into history, especially that of Catalonia, dedicate a morning or two to the Catalan History Museum. The extensive permanent exhibition ushers you along from pre-historic roots through Roman Christianity and the Roman Empire, the countless battles, Counts and Kings, right up to the Spanish Civil War and present day. Some of the exhibits are interactive, like picking up a bag of armour (rope and pully helps) to check how heavy the gear that the medieval knights wore was .
Located in a sector of an old trade warehouse now known as Palau de Mar, the MHC is the only building of the old industrial port of Barcelona to be conserved. This museum is a must see for any history buff out there. Enjoy the roof top cafe bar with gorgeous views of the harbour before heading for a delicious paella at Barceloneta neighbourhood next door.
FREE TIMES: First Sunday of the month from 10am to 2:30pm.
WEBSITE: Museu d’Història de Catalunya (MHC)
Barcelona Free Museums on other days
Contemporary Art Museum (MACBA)
This building screams Modern Art in its construction and layout. Designed by American architect Richard Meier, you will know when you have arrived by all the hip skaters skimming their skateboards off the balustrade and steps.
When you enter, it is concrete on white and provides a sleek cutting-edge back drop for the more contemporary works that are displayed here. As well as famous current travelling shows, there is a permanent collection of around 5,000 modern and contemporary artworks. These date from the 1940’s onwards focusing mainly on Catalan and Spanish art.
This well-known landmark was built to open in conjunction with the 1992 Summer Olympics though it actually opened a few years later. If modern art is your cup of tea, this museum is definitely worth checking out.
FREE TIMES: Every Saturday from 4pm to 8pm.
WEBSITE: Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)
La Virreina Palace
La Virreina means the Viceroy’s wife. She was the one who got to enjoy this fab palace after the untimely demise of the person who commissioned the building: her husband. Nowadays, this 18th century Baroque palace is a cultural centre which also houses contemporary exhibits for free every day!
It focuses on images rather than sculptures and a majority of the shows I have noticed are photo based. I have caught some great shows here, and it is definitely worth checking out to see what is on.
NOT TO MISS: To visit the gallery area you need to go through the main big door entrance way (off La Rambla). Go half-way through the hall and up the stairs (either right or left). However, if you ignore the stairs and walk through towards the back door to the right you will see the display of Barcelona’s giants. They are hand-made characters that come out for the parades of the city. The Giants in La Virreina are the mascots of the city of Barcelona and will be carried by a single individual from the inside! You can’t help marvel at the beautiful craft work of these huge puppets and be awed by the dedication of the bearer who will carry this huge weight during the festival.
FREE TIMES: Always a free museum.
WEBSITE: Palau de la Virreina
Santa Monica Arts Centre
Once a Catholic convent, this 17th century structure now caters the lovers of Art rather than the religious faithful. Located in the diverse neighbourhood of El Raval, it invites us in for workshops, talks and contemplation on modern Art culture. It is a multiple disciplinary centre although does boast its focus around digital media.
As you can imagine, it is a bit of a mixed bag, but they do host Art shows that are free all year round. It is definitely worth checking out what international artist has been invited to display their work.
NOT TO MISS: The building is certainly an eye-catching feature of the main boulevard in La Rambla. While being restored, the architects were given free rein to integrate modern materials and elements to the construction. Do not miss the ramp to the gorgeous viewing platform that overlooks La Rambla.
FREE TIMES: Always a free museum.
WEBSITE: Arts Santa Mònica
Tips on how to make the best of the Free Museums in Barcelona
- Be aware that many state-owned museums close on Mondays, so this might be the time to take advantage of a free tour in Barcelona. Relax and let somebody talk you through the monumental key sights of the city.
- Book online in advance for the Picasso museum and Palau Güell as free and paying tickets can sell out quickly at these two sites!
- Are you 65 or over? Do you have kids travelling with you? A lot of museums are free for under 16 and over 65 so be sure to always ask.
- If the free days don’t fit your itinerary, buy a Barcelona Museum pass called ArticketBCN. It is great value at €35 and valid for 12 months. With this you will get admission and skip the line at 6 museums: Picasso Museum, Miró Foundation, Tàpies Foundation, MACBA, CCCB and MNAC.
- There is also the Barcelona Card. For a specific numbers of days (3 to 5) it covers travel, free admission to some museums and discounts for various attractions, restaurants and tours. Check carefully their list to see what museums and attractions cross over with your itinerary (there are no discounts for Sagrada Familia, for example). The price difference between the 3-day and the 5-day pass is minimal so, if you are here for 5 days, you will probably get great bang for your buck.
- May 18th is International Museums Day. The vast majority of museums are free that day and also on the Night of the Museums, the closest Saturday to that date.
- Some museums are also free on special celebrations like Sant Jordi’s Day (April 23rd) or La Mercè (September 24th).
- 48h Open House BCN is also free for all, but to buildings that are not usually open to the public. Get in line with the locals to see some spectacular sights that reveal their secrets to the common man within those 48hrs. Volunteers (architects, interior designers, etc) talk groups through the sight so Spanish and Catalan is an advantage. Held usually in October, check out to see if anything interests you on their site.
As you can see, there is no excuse not to start enjoying the museums in Barcelona free of charge. All you need to do is a bit of planning. Tell us in the comments which one was your favourite!
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Main photograph: M.N.A.C. by Benjamín Núñez González [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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