Picasso Museum Barcelona

The Museu Picasso (or Picasso Museum) is located in five impressive medieval palaces in the heart of the El Born district and houses the collection of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). The museum is a clear tribute to the painter, who had a close relationship with Barcelona. The permanent collection displays more than 4,000 art pieces from various periods of Picasso’s life, most of which are from his early years. In short, it offers a wonderful journey through Picasso’s world.

What to See and Do at the Picasso Museum

Besides the fact that the Picasso Museum is located in some of the most impressive medieval palaces on Carrer Montcada, it is a true pilgrimage site for art lovers.

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Medieval palace

The museum itself is located on the most beautiful street in El Born, Carrer Montcada, which in the Middle Ages was the place where the wealthy built their houses and palaces. No fewer than five of these impressive medieval palaces, interconnected, form what is now known as the Museu Picasso: Palau Aguilar, Palau Baró de Castellet, Palau Meca, Casa Mauri, and Palau Finestres. The most notable part of these palaces is the patio of the old Palau Aguilar, where the museum’s offices are now located, with an open staircase and a gallery of arches and columns.

During your visit to this museum, you’ll notice that all the buildings are beautifully interconnected. While many of the original spaces have disappeared, remnants of the old structure can still be seen in the patios, some staircases, and walls. Additionally, one room remains adorned in an elegant neoclassical style.

Picasso Museum Collection

The permanent collection of the Picasso Museum displays over 4,000 works by Picasso, some of which (such as ‘Las Meninas’, ‘El final del número’, and ‘Los pichones’) have become world-famous. But also other paintings where Barcelona itself plays the main role are displayed here (such as ‘Azoteas de Barcelona’, ‘El paseo de Colón’, and ‘La Calle Riera de Sant Joan’).

The museum’s route follows Picasso’s life, taking you from his early years as a student in Malaga, La Coruña, and Barcelona, to his period in Paris and his final years.

Temporary Exhibitions

The museum regularly organizes interesting, temporary exhibitions focused on Picasso, his art, and his life. For instance, there was an exhibition about his years in Paris, as well as about his interest in the work of other artists like El Greco, or his relationship with contemporaries such as Dalí or the Reventós brothers.

Shop and Café

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona also features a souvenir shop and a café where you can relax and enjoy a drink after your visit.

Picasso Museum in the Evening

The museum is open daily until 7:00 pm, but on Thursdays, it stays open longer, until 9:30 pm! This is great if you want to visit the museum in the evening.

Video Picasso Museum

Are you planning to visit the Picasso Museum and want to know more about what to see and do to make the most of your visit? Check out the video below, where I take you on a tour of the museum and share everything you can expect. Plus, I’ll show you where to get one of the best croissants in Barcelona!

History of the Picasso Museum

Opened in 1963, the Picasso Museum reveals the close relationship of the Malaga-born painter with Barcelona: a relationship that began in his youth when his family moved from Malaga to Barcelona in 1895, and where he stayed until he moved to Paris in 1904. Picasso, however, regularly returned to Barcelona and this museum was one of his wishes. Places like Café Els 4 Gats, the cultural epicenter of Barcelona at the time, or La Llotja, where the art academy was located, and all his various studios and addresses, now form what is known as the ‘Picasso route’. This has left its mark on places like the mural at the Col.legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya at Plaça Nova.

In its early years, the museum housed the personal collection of Jaume Sabartés, friend and personal secretary of Picasso, and Picasso’s art collection from the Barcelona Art Museum. At its opening, the museum was named Colección Sabartés, due to Picasso’s manifested opposition to the Franco regime, which therefore did not allow the opening of a museum with Picasso’s name.

The Sabartés collection was housed in the Palau Aguilar, at number 15 on Carrer Montcada. Bit by bit, new contributions were made to the museum collection and the adjoining palaces were added to the museum. Today, the Museu Picasso boasts 5,000 works by Picasso that are exhibited to a very diverse and international audience. A museum that, after its first 50 years, is already an established success.

Picasso Museum Tickets

The Museu Picasso is one of the most visited art museums in Barcelona, often attracting long queues at the ticket counter. To save time, it is highly recommended to purchase your tickets in advance. Booking online is not only convenient but also cost-effective, as on-site tickets tend to be more expensive.

Note: For groups of more than 10 people, advance booking is required.

Guided Tour of the Picasso Museum

Art enthusiasts can enhance their experience with a guided tour, offering deeper insights into Picasso’s life and work. These tours are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, French, and German, and last between 1 and 2.5 hours.

Tip: An audio guide is also available for visitors for an additional €5, providing in-depth information about Picasso’s artworks.

Free Visit to the Picasso Museum

On Sunday afternoons after 3:00 pm, on Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and every first Sunday of the month, you get free access to the Picasso museum. Be prepared, however, for extra crowds and long lines to enter.

How to Get to the Picasso Museum

To get to the Picasso Museum, you can take the metro to Jaume I (L4) and walk straight along Carrer Princesa until you reach the corner with Carrer Montcada. Here, turn right and walk to numbers 15-23, where the entrance to the museum is located.