The city of Barcelona is absolutely incomparable. From its history to rich cultural heritage, buildings with unique architecture, museums, beaches, and restaurants serving various cuisines, this city has something for everyone. It is no wonder Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain. A popular attraction is Basílica de la Sagrada Família which is an unfinished building designed by Antoni Gaudí. He also designed other modernist landmarks such as Park Güell and Casa Milà. Other notable architectural works are those by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Barcelona has a number of museums showcasing different artworks from different eras. Museum of the History of Barcelona has several Roman archaeological sites, Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya features a collection of Romanesque art, Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art showcases post-1945 Catalan and Spanish art, and Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by renowned artists. Read on to know more about the top entry-free museums in Barcelona, Spain.
1. Virreina Centre de la Imatge
Visit this entry-free public museum that is dedicated to showcasing works in contemporary art. Admire the baroque architecture of the building and the highly-decorated facade, interior courtyard, and staircases. La Virreina Centre de la Imatge features temporary exhibitions, seminars and talks, courses and workshops, cinema and video, music and performance, and publications that are aimed at promoting contemporary artworks by various artists. The temporary exhibitions show photographs such as humanitarian photography works by Voula Papaioannou and a photographic series by Rafel Bernis portraying Olvido’s bar that was used for social gatherings. You will get to learn a lot when at this museum.
Virreina Centre de la Imatge
Address: La Rambla, 99, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Website: Virreina Centre de la Imatge
Opening hours: Tue - Sun:11am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
2. Palau Robert
Palau Robert is a building that was the former private residence of Robert Robert i Surís. He was an influential aristocrat and politician. Now, it is used to host rotating Catalan-themed exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events to display Routes of Catalonia, and has a tourism office that provides information about Catalonia. Visit the building free of charge and marvel at its neoclassical style of architecture and the beautiful garden. At this museum, you will get to learn a lot about Catalonia in a fun way.
Palau Robert
Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 107, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Website: Palau Robert
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 9am - 2:30pm
3. Centre d’Art Santa Mònica
Visit this entry-free museum that is dedicated to enlightening its visitors on quality contemporary Catalan culture through traveling contemporary art. Exhibitions cover disciplines such as architecture, performing and visual arts, music, and literature. Enjoy free guided tours that take you through the various exhibitions. By the end of the tour, you will develop a newfound appreciation for contemporary art. This museum is a haven for contemporary art lovers and budding art enthusiasts.
Centre d’Art Santa Mònica
Address: La Rambla, 7, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Website: Centre d’Art Santa Mònica
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm (closed on Mon)
Museums that are free on certain days
Barcelona Tour Guide
Perry Tours
Hello! My name is Perry, originally from the heart of Belgium, famed for its waffles and fries. However, it wasn't just the call of the Spanish sun that brought to Barcelona, but rather a captivating encounter with a German-Uruguayan beauty in Thailand. This led to the birth of our son in Ibiza, and eventually, more than two decades ago, I found myself in the vibrant city of Barcelona. My pa... Read more
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4. Museu Frederic Marès
Museu Frederic Marès is a unique art and sculpture museum. It features a sculpture collection, collector’s cabinet, and a study library by Frederic Marès. Sculpture collection comprises Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, and stone sculptures. Religious carvings dominate this collection. Collector’s cabinet has numerous objects such as fans, pipes, photographs, and toys that reflect the life and customs of the past, especially in the 19th century. Study library showcases Frederic Marès’ sculptural work, his personal belongings, titles and historical documentation of his collections and the museum. Visit this museum which has free entry on the first Sunday of each month as well as every Sunday from 3pm to 8pm.
Museu Frederic Marès
Address: Plaça Sant Iu, 5, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Website: Museu Frederic Marès
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 2 EUR (3 USD) onwards
5. Museu d’Història de Barcelona
Discover a well-documented journey of the growth of the city of Barcelona and its citizens since it started from the medieval times at this museum. The museum offers free entry on Saturdays from 11am to 12:30pm and the first Sunday of each month from 11am to 12:30pm. It has several heritage sites which you can visit in the order you prefer. Visit Plaça del Rei which is an archaeological site with the remains of the Roman colony. The archeological site of Santa Caterina tells you about the growth of the city. Refugi 307 is an air-raid shelter where the people of Barcelona lived during air raids in the 1936 Spanish Civil War.
Museu d’Història de Barcelona
Address: Plaça del Rei, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Website: Museu d’Història de Barcelona
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10am - 7pm; Sun: 10am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5 EUR onwards (6 USD)
6. Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Museu Marítim de Barcelona features treasures, collections, archives and a library specializing in maritime history and culture. It interprets Catalan maritime culture. See the history of navigation from the early times up to the present. The museum also hosts several navigation instruments, weapons, portolan charts and paintings in its permanent and temporary exhibits. You will get to learn a lot about the diversity of Catalan maritime heritage when at this museum. The museum offers free admission every Sunday from 3pm onwards.
Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Address: Av. de les Drassanes, s/n, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Website: Museu Marítim de Barcelona
Opening hours: Mon - Sun: 10am - 8pm
Price: 10 Euros (11 USD)
Tip from tour guide
Apart from the rich collection and treasures on display, the Barcelona Maritime Museum acquired this historic and unique vessel at auction in 1997, known as Sayrernar Uno. After restoration, it was renamed in honor of one of Barcelona's patron saints, Santa Eulàlia. It serves not only as a visitor attraction but also as a flagship for the museum when it sails the waters of the Mediterranean. Be sure to spot it at Port Vell!
Visited this place?
7. Picasso Museum
This two-hour tour, led by an expert local guide will take you through Pablo Picasso’s favorite spots. See Llotja Mar which is the art school where he studied. Stop at Els Quatre Gats café where he interacted with other artists. Take a leisurely stroll through the atmospheric La Ribera quarter where his studio was before moving to Paris. The tour then leads to the grand Picasso Museum which has free entrance on Thursday from 6pm onwards, and the first Sunday of each month. The museum houses a permanent collection of 4,251 works by the artist. The museum collection shows the complete works of the artist during his formative years. This tour is a great way to get to know this outstanding artist and to understand his journey.
8. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Marvel at the finest collection of Romanesque mural paintings on a tour of this museum. Enjoy free entry on Saturdays from 3pm onwards and the first Sunday of each month. It also has works of art by the masters of Catalan Modernism such as Gaudí and Casas, masters of the European Renaissance and Baroque painters such as Tiziano and Velázquez, and a photography collection. Learn about the history of the building while exploring it. After exploring the museum, stand at its rooftop, and enjoy panoramic and spectacular views of the city.
Have fun exploring amazing works of art
For the art lovers, plan a trip here and get the chance to see amazing art pieces. Learn about the city of Barcelona and the cultural heritage of its people in a fun way when you visit these top entry-free museums in Barcelona, Spain.
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