Museu Picasso in Barcelona

The Museu Picasso maintains one of the largest permanent collections of artwork by the famed artist Pablo Picasso. Housed within 5 adjacent medieval palaces on Barcelona’s Montcada Street, the museum’s expansive collection contains over 4,000 pieces of Picasso’s works. This museum was the first of its kind, dedicated solely to the works of Picasso, and was opened during the artist’s lifetime.

You’ll find visitors of all ages and backgrounds within the popular Museu Picasso in Barcelona. Visitors often spend up to 2 hours exploring the museum’s historic spaces, though dedicated art lovers could easily spend an entire day perusing the expansive collection. The museum hosts a diverse calendar of events throughout the year, including workshops and lectures, family activities, children’s events and events for the elderly. Museu Picasso can be reached by public bus, metro service, taxi and by car, with parking lots available in nearby areas.

Museu Picasso in Barcelona - one of the highlights of 15 Best Things to Do in Barcelona and 10 Best Museums in Barcelona (Read all about Barcelona here)

What are the highlights of Museu Picasso in Barcelona?

The Museu Picasso in Barcelona houses an expansive permanent collection of works by the 20th-century Spanish artist. You’ll find the collection organised into three sections within the museum, engravings, ceramics and paintings and drawings. The majority of Picasso’s paintings in the museum were created between 1890 and 1973, along with a modest amount of pieces from earlier or later years in Picasso’s life.

One of the unique features of the Museu Picasso in Barcelona is the museum itself, housed across 5 palaces dating back to the 13th- and 14th-centuries. All 5 buildings were built in the Catalan Gothic style, with a central courtyard and exterior staircase. However, each of these historic homes offers its own unique history and architectural features. Locals recommend signing up for one of the museum’s guided tours to appreciate the full wealth of information contained in the museum.

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What is the history of the Museu Picasso?

Museu Picasso was originally conceptualised by Picasso’s longtime friend and secretary, Jaume Sabartés. The museum opened in 1963, predominantly structured around Sabartés personal collection of over 500 works by Picasso. Additional works were donated to the museum over the years from collectors and friends of Picasso, including works donated by Picasso himself. Picasso’s final donation to the museum in 1970 contained over 900 works across various art mediums.

After Picasso’s final donation, Museu Picasso saw its first expansion, growing from 1 of the historic mansions on Montcada Street into 2. Over the decades, continued donations and museum acquisitions have supported further expansion and remodelling efforts of Museu Picasso. Today, in addition to the museum’s large artwork collections, they now also house an expansive public library, spaces for community engagement and activities, and a preservation and restoration department.

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Good to know when visiting Barcelona’s Museu Picasso

If you plan on visiting Museu Picasso in Barcelona, it’s recommended that you purchase advance tickets online for this popular attraction. Families visiting with children will find interactive games and activities available on the museum’s website, for a self-guided tour experience. For a less-trafficked visit, try exploring the museum on weekday afternoons. Free admission is available on Tuesdays after 5 pm, as well as the first Sunday of each month.

Photographs and videos taken for personal use are allowed at Barcelona’s Museu Picasso. Please silence cell phones before visiting, and remember that no food or drink is permitted in the museum. Museu Picasso is fully wheelchair accessible and offers accessible facilities. Free cloakroom services are also offered for ticketed visitors to the museum.

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Location: Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm (closed on Mondays)

Phone: +34 (0)932 56 30 00

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