Many of Barcelona’s best museums offer free entry once a month, including the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), Museu Picasso and Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA).
May 18th, International Museum Day, is an occasion when many of the museums in Barcelona are free to enter, including some that do not otherwise offer a day of free entry each month.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
The MNAC combines Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art collections along with collections from 19th and 20th century. Built in 1929, MNAC is housed in the Palau Nacional and offers impressive views over Plaça d’Espanya and the city center.
Admission is free every Saturday starting at 3pm and on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 936 22 03 60
Website: www.mnac.cat | View Map
La Virreina Centre de la Imatge
Situated near the top of La Rambla and housed in a magnificent 18th century baroque and rococo palace, La Virreina Centre de la Imatge hosts temporary photo exhibitions.
Admission is free.
Address: Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla, 99 08002 Barcelona
Phone: +34 933 161 000
Website: lavirreina.bcn.cat | View Map
Museu Picasso
Opened in 1963, the Museu Picasso houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the 20th-century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
Admission is free Thursday afternoons from 6.00pm to 9.30pm and the first Sunday of each month, from 9am to 7pm.
Address: Carrer Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 56 30 00
Website: www.museupicasso.bcn.cat | View Map
Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA)
Opened after the Civil War, in 1943, the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA) explores life in the Roman colony that was called Barcino.
Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Plaza del Rey, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 56 21 00
Website: museuhistoria.bcn.cat | View Map
Palau Güell
The Palau Güell is a mansion designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí for the Catalan industrialist Eusebi Güell. The Palau is located in the El Raval neighbourhood just off La Rambla.
Admission is free the first Sunday of the month.
Address: Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, 08001 Barcelona
Phone: +34 934 72 57 75
Website: palauguell.cat | View Map
Museu Marítim de Barcelona
The Barcelona Maritime Museum is housed in the Barcelona Royal Shipyards (drassanes) in a building of well preserved Gothic architecture. Pictured above is a replica of the ornate Galera Reial (Royal Galley), which was the flagship of the Christian fleet in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.
Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm.
Address: Av. de les Drassanes s/n, 08001 Barcelona
Phone: +34 933 429 920
Website: www.mmb.cat | View Map
Jardí Botànic de Barcelona
The Botanical Garden of Barcelona is set at the top of Montjuïc, nearby the stadiums used in the Summer Olympics of 1992.
Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Carrer del Doctor Font i Quer, 2, 08038 Barcelona
Phone: +34 932 56 41 60
Website: www.jardibotanic.bcn.cat | View Map
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
The CCCB located in El Raval, is focused on the city of Barcelona and contemporary urban culture.
Admission is free on Sundays after 3pm.
Address: Montalegre, 5, 08001 Barcelona
Phone: +34 933 06 41 00
Website: www.cccb.org | View Map
Museu Frederic Marès
The Museu Frederic Marès is an art and sculpture museum. Frederic Marès was a sculptor himself, who collected numerous statues as well as everyday objects of the time.
Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Plaça de Sant Iu, 5-6, 08002 Barcelona
Phone: +34 932 56 35 00
Website: www.museumares.bcn.cat | View Map
Museu de la Música
The Museu de la Música de Barcelona exhibits a collection of musical instruments from all over the world.
Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: L’Auditori, Carrer de Lepant, 150, 08013 Barcelona
Phone: +34 932 56 36 50
Website: www.museumusica.bcn.es | View Map
Museu Blau
Museu Blau de les Ciències Naturals is an architectural landmark in Barcelona designed by the Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. This natural history and science museum houses permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Admission is free every Sunday from 3pm onwards and all day on the first Sunday of each month.
Address: Carrer de Leonardo Da Vinci, 4, 08019 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 932 56 60 02
Website: www.museublau.bcn.cat | View Map
MACBA
Above: Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA). MACBA temporary exhibitions are free on their opening nights.