Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso)
Carrer de Montcada, 15-23, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08003
Home to thousands of works by the incomparable Pablo Picasso, the Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) sheds light on the Spanish artist’s creative evolution. Housed in five adjoining Gothic palaces in the El Born district, the collection traces Picasso’s career from his early childhood sketches to works from his Blue Period and Las Meninas series. It also sheds light on Picasso’s ties to Barcelona, where he spent many of his formative years.
The basics
A visit to the Picasso Museum is key to understanding the true artistic genius of Barcelona’s famous native son. Visitors who want more insight into the art can pay a small fee for an audio guide or join a very limited selection of small-group guided Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) tours that are included in admission (reservations required). If you want to explore with a tour guide on your own, book a separate museum tour that includes admission. Options include a private tour, skip-the-line tickets, or a combo tour; the latter combines a guided museum tour with a Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) walking tour that stops at sites important to Picasso's Barcelona, including the famous Els Quatre Gats café.
Things to know before you go
The Picasso Museum is a must-visit for art lovers and all first-time Barcelona visitors.
Skip the queues by booking tickets online in advance.
Expect long lines on days when the museum offers free admission; plan to arrive early.
Photography and filming aren’t allowed within the museum collection.
The museum is totally wheelchair accessible; wheelchairs are available to borrow.
How to get there
The Picasso Museum is centrally located in El Born, Barcelona’s medieval quarter, within walking distance of many attractions in the Old City. It’s also well-connected by public transportation; take the metro to Jaume I (Line 4) or Arc de Triomf (Line 1) or catch one of several buses to Passeig Picasso or Pla de Palau.
When to get there
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday throughout the year, with extended evening hours on Thursdays, when museum entrance is free. To avoid the crowds, visit on a weekday morning, and avoid summer and free-entrance days (Thursday afternoons and the first Sunday of each month).
Highlights of the collection
The museum collection places a strong emphasis on Picasso’s formative years, including works from his time in Málaga and A Coruña. Keep an eye out for La Primera Communión (The First Communion), painted when the artist was just 16. Woman with Bonnet comes from his Blue Period; Glass and Tobacco Packet is a fine example of a Cubist still-life.
Ways to explore
The Picasso Museum is a must-visit for fans of modern art. You can visit independently or enhance your experience with an audio guide or by joining one of many Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) tours available. Options range from private tours to small-group experiences, and many include skip-the-line tickets along with an art historian’s insights on the museum’s standout works. To learn more about Picasso’s time in Barcelona, book a museum visit that also includes a Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) walking tour, with stops at the artist’s preferred café, art school, and places that inspired his paintings.
Accessibility
The Picasso Museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with adapted restrooms, an elevator, and wheelchairs available for loan.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Only bring essentials you can carry—any bulky items will need to be stored in the cloakroom.
What to wear
Something comfortable, as the museum’s thousands of works are spread out across many rooms.
Not allowed
Flash photography, non-service animals, smoking, food, bulky items in the exhibition rooms
Amenities
Bookshop, cloakroom, restrooms, restaurant
Address
It’s most convenient—and scenic—to walk to the Picasso Museum from other attractions in central Barcelona. Located in El Born, it’s within a 15-minute walk of top sights such as the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla. If you’re coming from farther away, you can drive or use public transportation.
Driving
It’s not easy for visitors to drive and park in Barcelona’s old town. Instead of self-navigating, take a taxi or rideshare app to the Picasso Museum.
Public transportation
The museum is a 5-minute walk from the Jaume I metro station, reachable on the L4 line from Passeig de Gracia and other sights. Several buses stop nearby on Via Laietana and Passeig Picasso.
Best times to visit
The museum is quietest in the morning—go right after opening to have the exhibition rooms almost to yourself.
Best days to visit
Save money by visiting on free-admission days, such as the first Sunday of the month and Thursday evenings, and be sure to make a reservation.
Best months to visit
The Picasso Museum is a year-round attraction. Visit Barcelona in spring or fall to experience mild temperatures and minimal crowds, or enjoy it as a respite from the heat from June to September.
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