Free Museum Days in Barcelona

Barcelona is home to a wealth of world-class museums. Leading institutions like the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Museu Picasso, and the Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA) provide free admission at least once a month, generally on the first Sunday. Other venues, like La Virreina Centre de la Imatge, offer free entry at all times. Barcelona celebrates International Museum Day on May 18, with a special program of free access to numerous museums, including exhibitions, workshops, guided tours, and performances across the city.

Menu: MNAC | Virreina Centre de la Imatge | Museu Picasso | MUHBA | Palau Güell | Museu Marítim | Jardí Botànic | CCCB | Museu Frederic Marès | Museu de la Música | Museu Blau | Montjuïc Castle | MACBA | KBr Photography Center | Catalan Museum of Archaeology | Museu del Disseny | Palau Robert | El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

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The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), set on Montjuïc hill in Barcelona, showcases a millennium of Catalan and European art. Housed in the Palau Nacional—a grand Italian-style palace built for the 1929 International Exposition—the museum offers panoramic views of the city. Its collections span from Romanesque murals, to Gothic altarpieces, Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces, and works by modern artists such as Gaudí, Casas, and Tàpies. Visitors can also enjoy sweeping views from the museum’s rooftop.

Admission is free every Saturday starting at 3pm and on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: The Romanesque Art Collection, considered the most complete in the world
Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Neighborhood: Sants-Montjuïc
Phone: +34 936 22 03 60
Website: www.mnac.cat | View Map

La Virreina Centre de la Imatge

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La Virreina Centre de la Imatge is located in the historic Palau de la Virreina on La Rambla. Built between 1772 and 1778 for Manuel d’Amat i de Junyent, Viceroy of Peru, the palace showcases a distinctive blend of baroque and rococo architecture. Today, it serves as a vibrant hub for contemporary art and culture, hosting free exhibitions that span photography, film, literature, and critical theory. It also houses the city’s traditional festival figures, the Gegants and the Àliga, in permanent display.

Admission is free.

Address: Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, 99 08002 Barcelona
Neighborhood: El Raval
Phone: +34 933 161 000
Website: lavirreina.bcn.cat | View Map

Museu Picasso

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The Museu Picasso offers unique insight into Pablo Picasso’s early artistic development and ties to Barcelona. Established in 1963, it was the first museum dedicated to the artist—and the only one created during his lifetime. The museum houses over 4,000 works, predominantly from Picasso’s early periods, including notable pieces like Science and Charity (1897) and the complete Las Meninas series (1957), a reinterpretation of Velázquez’s masterpiece. My personal favorite is the 1899 portrait of his close friend Carles Casagemas. Set within five adjoining medieval palaces on Carrer de Montcada, the museum’s Catalan Gothic architecture further enhances the experience.

Admission is free Thursday afternoons from 6.00pm to 9.30pm and the first Sunday of each month, from 9am to 7pm.

Don’t miss: early masterpieces like First Communion (1896)
Address: Carrer Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Neighborhood: El Born
Phone: +34 932 56 30 00
Website: www.museupicasso.bcn.cat | View Map

Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)

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MUHBA Plaça del Rei serves as the main site of the Museum of the History of Barcelona (MUHBA). Established in 1943, it reveals Barcelona’s history from its Roman origins as Barcino in the 1st century BC to the medieval period up to the 13th century AD. Through an extensive underground archaeological area spanning over 4,000 square metres, visitors can walk along ancient Roman streets, see remnants of the city wall, a 2nd-century laundry, and the remains of Barcelona’s first Christian community. Above ground, the complex includes medieval structures such as the Saló del Tinell, the Chapel of Santa Àgata, and the Casa Padellàs—a Gothic palace relocated stone by stone to the square in 1931.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: the extensive archaeological underground area, where you can walk through ancient Roman streets
Address: Plaça del Rei, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Neighborhood: Gothic Quarter
Phone: +34 932 56 21 00
Website: museuhistoria.bcn.cat | View Map

Palau Güell

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Palau Güell is a modernist mansion situated just off La Rambla, designed by Antoni Gaudí for the Catalan industrialist Eusebi Güell. Completed in 1890, it stands as one of Gaudí’s early masterpieces, highlighting his innovative use of space, light, and materials. The interiors are adorned with intricate ironwork, detailed mosaics, and striking parabolic arches, while the rooftop features colorful, chimney-like sculptures. Palau Güell has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.

Admission is free the first Sunday of the month. * Note ==> You must make a reservation on the Palau Güell website in order to gain free entry. *

Don’t miss: The rooftop with its 20 colorful chimneys
Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, 08001 Barcelona
Neighborhood: El Raval
Phone: +34 934 72 57 75
Website: palauguell.cat | View Map

Museu Marítim de Barcelona

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The Museu Marítim de Barcelona is housed in the Gothic-style Drassanes Reials (Royal Shipyards), a 13th-century structure that once served as a naval shipyard. Located at the end of La Rambla, the museum reveals Catalonia’s maritime heritage through ship models, nautical instruments, historical maps, and maritime art. The full-scale replica of a 16th-century royal galley used in the Battle of Lepanto is stunning. Visitors can also board the Pailebot Santa Eulàlia, a restored 1918 schooner moored at the nearby Moll de la Fusta quay.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm.

Don’t miss: The full-scale replica of the 16th-century galley “Galera Real de Juan de Austria”
Address: Av. de les Drassanes s/n, 08001 Barcelona
Neighborhood: El Raval
Phone: +34 933 429 920
Website: www.mmb.cat | View Map

Jardí Botànic de Barcelona

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The Jardí Botànic de Barcelona, located on Montjuïc Hill, showcases Mediterranean plant species from around the world, including regions like California, Chile, South Africa, and Australia. Opened in 1999, the garden spans 14 hectares and features landscapes that reflect different Mediterranean ecosystems. It also houses the Institut Botànic de Barcelona, a center for plant research and conservation.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: the South African fynbos plants
Address: Carrer del Doctor Font i Quer, 2, 08038 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Sants-Montjuïc
Phone: +34 932 56 41 60
Website: museuciencies.cat/en/the-nat/venues/botanical-garden-of-barcelona | View Map

Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)

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Established in 1994, the CCCB occupies the historic Casa de la Caritat, a former 19th-century almshouse, which has been transformed into a modern space featuring a 30-meter-high glass façade and a central courtyard known as the Pati de les Dones. The space is dedicated to exploring urban culture and contemporary issues through a multidisciplinary programme that includes exhibitions, debates, festivals, concerts, film screenings, courses, and workshops.

Admission is free on Sundays after 3pm.

Don’t miss: The Xcèntric Archive, a unique collection of over 1,000 experimental films that visitors can watch in a small 12-seat theater
Address: Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona
Neighborhood: El Raval
Phone: +34 933 06 41 00
Website: www.cccb.org | View Map

Museu Frederic Marès

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The Museu Frederic Marès is housed in part of the Palau Reial Major, behind Barcelona Cathedral. The museum was founded in 1946 and showcases the extensive and eclectic personal collection of sculptor Frederic Marès (1893–1991), which he donated to the city. The exhibits range from religious sculptures and Romanesque carvings to thousands of everyday objects from the 19th century.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: The extensive collection of Hispanic sculpture
Address: Plaça de Sant Iu, 5-6, 08002 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Gothic Quarter
Phone: +34 932 56 35 00
Website: www.museumares.bcn.cat | View Map

Museu de la Música

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Photo by Sara Guasteví. The Museu de la Música is situated within the contemporary L’Auditori complex designed by Rafael Moneo. The museum collection displays over 500 instruments, with highlights like Spanish guitars crafted by Antonio de Torres, as well as rare keyboard instruments like Christian Zell’s 1737 harpsichord.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: The guitar collection, considered one of the best in the world
Address: L’Auditori, Carrer de Lepant, 150, 08013 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Eixample
Phone: +34 932 56 36 50
Website: www.barcelona.cat/museumusica | View Map

Museu Blau

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Located within the iconic triangular Forum Building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the museum covers over 9,000 square meters across two levels. Its permanent exhibition, Planeta Vida (Planet Life), provides an immersive exploration of Earth’s history, beginning with a vivid Big Bang projection and continuing through the evolution of life with interactive displays and fossil collections. Beyond its permanent exhibits, Museu Blau features rotating temporary exhibitions and educational workshops focused on environmental awareness and scientific exploration.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: the 20-meter-long whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling
Address: Carrer de Leonardo Da Vinci, 4, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Neighborhood: Diagonal Mar
Phone: +34 932 56 60 02
Website: museuciencies.cat | View Map

Montjuïc Castle

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Montjuïc Castle is an old military fortress situated at the top of Montjuïc hill that traces its history back to 1640. During the Spanish Civil War (1936 to 1939) both sides of the conflict imprisoned and executed political prisoners here. Lluís Companys, the president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, was executed at Montjuïc Castle in 1940. Today, it houses exhibitions on the city’s history and military past, and its lofty setting makes it a popular spot for visitors to enjoy sweeping views.

Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: The panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea
Address: Ctra. de Montjuïc, 66, 08038 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Sants-Montjuïc
Phone: +34 932 56 44 40
Website: ajuntament.barcelona.cat/castelldemontjuic/en | View Map

Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

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Designed by acclaimed American architect Richard Meier, the museum features a striking white exterior defined by minimalist lines and large glass facades. Since opening in 1995, the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) has built a collection of over 5,000 works, concentrating on post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art, while also including international pieces. The museum’s location, Plaça dels Àngels, is also a world famous skateboarding hub.

MACBA temporary exhibitions are free on their opening nights. View upcoming exhibitions here.

Don’t miss: Pieces by Antoni Tàpies, Joan Brossa, and Paul Klee in the permanent collection
Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Neighborhood: El Raval
Phone: +34 93 481 33 68
Website: www.macba.cat/en/ | View Map

Fundación MAPFRE KBr Photography Center

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The KBr Fundación MAPFRE Photography Center is a leading cultural institution devoted to photography. Founded in 2020 by Fundación MAPFRE, it occupies more than 1,400 square meters and includes two exhibition halls, a bookstore, educational facilities, and an auditorium. The center presents six exhibitions annually, featuring works from both established and emerging photographers. Additionally, it offers educational programs, workshops, and international photography awards to promote the appreciation and understanding of photographic art.

Admission is free every Tuesday (except public holidays).

Address: Av. del Litoral, nº 30, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
Neighborhood: El Poblenou
Phone: +34 932 72 31 80
Website: kbr.fundacionmapfre.org/en/ | View Map

Catalan Museum of Archaeology

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The Archaeology Museum of Catalonia (Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya) was founded in 1932 and traces the region’s history from prehistory to the early Middle Ages. Housed in the former Palace of Graphic Arts—built for the 1929 International Exposition—the museum displays a fascinating range of artifacts. Highlights include a 53,200-year-old Neanderthal jaw unearthed in Sitges, the Iberian Treasure of Tivissa, the 3rd century BCE Greek statue of Asclepius discovered in Empúries, and the Visigothic votive crown from Torredonjimeno.

Admission is free on the first Sunday of each month.

Don’t miss: The crown from the 8th-century Treasure of Torredonjimeno
Address: Passeig de Santa Madrona, 39, 08038 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Sants-Montjuïc
Phone: +34 934 23 21 49
Website: www.mac.cat | View Map

Museu del Disseny de Barcelona

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Located in the ultra-modern Disseny Hub building at Plaça de les Glòries, the museum opened in 2014 as a result of merging several existing museums. Its collection comprises over 70,000 objects spanning from the 4th century AD to contemporary times, and includes decorative arts, ceramics, textiles, furniture, fashion, and graphic design. The museum’s exhibitions are spread across four floors, each dedicated to a specific design discipline. Beyond its permanent collections, the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions, workshops, and lectures.

The museum is free every first Sunday of the month and also every Sunday from 3pm.

Don’t miss: Olympic memorabilia from the 1992 Barcelona Games
Address: Plaça de les Glòries Catalanes,, 37, 08018 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Glòries
Phone: +34 932 56 68 00
Website: ajuntament.barcelona.cat/museudeldisseny/en | View Map

Palau Robert

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Palau Robert is a neoclassical building located at the intersection of Passeig de Gràcia and Avinguda Diagonal. It was formerly the private residence of Robert Robert i Surís, an influential aristocrat, politician and financier. Now a cultural center, the spaces inside show Catalan themed and artistic exhibitions. The surrounding gardens include palm trees from the 1888 Universal Exhibition.

Admission is free.

Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 107, 08008 Barcelona
Neighborhood: Eixample
Phone: +34 932 92 12 60
Website: palaurobert.gencat.cat/en/inici/ | View Map

El Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria (CCM)

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The El Born CCM is housed in an 8,000 square meter iron and glass structure that was formerly the Mercat del Born, which opened in 1876. Following the discovery of the extensive ruins in 2002, the decision was made to preserve the site. The subterranean vestiges reveal the Barcelona of before and after the siege of 1713-1714, at the end of the War of Spanish Succession.

Admission is free.

Address: Plaça Comercial, 12, 08003 Barcelona
Neighborhood: El Born
Phone: +34 932 56 68 51
Website: elbornculturaimemoria.barcelona.cat | View Map

In closing, a couple of related ideas:

• It is possible to visit the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya, the assembly hall of the Parliament of Catalonia. The Catalan Parliament is one of the oldest in the world, with roots tracing back to the 11th century. The Palau del Parlament de Catalunya is situated in Parc de la Ciudadela and was built between 1717 and 1727 as an arsenal. You can schedule a free guided tour here.
• Masses at La Sagrada Família are free for the faithful. Mass is celebrated every Sunday at nine in the morning and on Saturdays at eight in the afternoon. It is recommended to go an hour early.

FAQ

Also check out the Barcelona Card: 25+ Museums and Free Public Transportation available from our partner GetYourGuide.