The Picasso Museum is a must-visit for art lovers and admirers of the great Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso. Located in Barcelona, the Museum houses a vast collection of the artist's work, including paintings, drawings, and engravings, that he created during various phases of his artistic evolution. Its highlights include an extensive collection of his early works from the Training Period, as well as some of his later pieces in the Las Meninas series. Visitors can also view special exhibitions devoted to Picasso and his contemporaries and their explosive contributions to the avant-garde scene of the time.
Picasso Museum, Barcelona - In A Nutshell
Handy information
| ⏰ Suggested Duration: | 1 hour |
| ☀️ Best Time to Visit: | 10 AM or 11 AM, Weekdays |
| 💜 Must Do: | View the Training Period Collection |
| 🎟️ Entry Tickets:: | €15 |
| 😍 Guided Tour Tickets | €33 |
| 🚇 Closest Metro | Jaume I |
Must-see
Blue Period Collection
The Training Period Collection
Las Meninas Collection
Things to know
Constructed in: 1963
Location: Barcelona
Established by: Jaume Sabartés
Collection Size: 4251 original works
Opening Hours And Address
Tuesday - Sunday: 10 AM to 7 PM
Last Admission at 6:30 PM
Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May, 24 June, and 25 December
Address: C/ de Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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Why is the Picasso Museum in Barcelona Worth Visiting?
- Unique Collection: The Museum is home to a unique collection of more than 4,000 works by Pablo Picasso, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures, from his formative years and advanced works.
- Understanding Picasso's Early Years: The Museum is an excellent place to learn about Picasso's early years where he trained as an artist under his father. Visitors can see some of his earliest works and gain insight into his artistic development.
- Temporary Exhibitions: In addition to its permanent collection, the Museum hosts temporary exhibitions offering visitors the opportunity to study and discuss different aspects of Picasso's art and works by other artists.
- Iconic Works: The Museum houses some of Picasso's most iconic works, including "Science and Charity", "Harlequin", and "Portrait of Jaime Sabartes". These paintings offer visitors the opportunity to see first-hand the development of Picasso's style and his contribution to modern art.
Picasso Museum Barcelona Tickets
Enter the Picasso Museum by purchasing your tickets online. Choose from guided tours with skip-the-line entry or even walking tours of Barcelona that end with a guided tour of the Picasso Museum.
History Of the Picasso Museum in Barcelona
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona was founded in 1963 by Pablo Picasso's friend and personal secretary, Jaume Sabartes. Although Picasso was born in Malaga, the Spanish artist believed that it would be more appropriate to have the Museum in Barcelona given his personal connection to the city.
In 1960, Sabartes approached the city of Barcelona to construct the Museum. He started it with his personal collection of Picasso artworks that were given to him by the artist himself over the years. Picasso's friends and other collectors also donated pieces by the artist. Before he passed away, Sabartes bequeathed 58 works from the Las Meninas series. After his death in 1968, Picasso made his last donation to the Museum which consisted of 920 artworks.
In the 1980s the Museum began to expand through donations from individuals and art galleries, acquiring works such as Portrait of Jacqueline with Tape. In 1999, a space of 3,400 square meters was added to the original building where temporary exhibitions were held. In 2003, the Museum underwent several renovations and in 2005 was declared a museum of national interest by the Catalonian government.
The Collections at Picasso Museum
1The Training Period
Picasso's training period began under his father before the year 1890. The collection from the Training Period shows Picasso's early work in Barcelona and provides a comprehensive record of the artist's progress from an amateur to a professional painter. The First Communion and the Portrait of Aunt Pepa are some of his most noteworthy works from this period that displayed his promise as an artist.
2The Blue Period
The Blue Period is considered a transition from a neoclassical to a surrealist style in Picasso's works; a period that lasted until 1904. The paintings from this period possess striking bluish hues which convey a deep sadness and longing of its subjects.'Woman with a Bonnet' is a stellar piece from this collection.
3Las Meninas
The Las Meninas series is a large group composition that was Picasso's interpretation of Diego Velazquez’s "Las Meninas", a significant painting in Spanish history. The work is visually abstract. His study includes attempts to understand the painting through multiple reiterations of abstract portraits.
4Drawings and Lithographs
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona features a large collection of drawings and rough sketches by the Spanish artist as well as drawings that were intended to be illustrations for books. You will also find a collection of stunning lithographs that were created between 1962 and 1982.
5Exhibitions
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year. From the comparative studies of Picasso's contemporaries and their styles to expositions on Picasso's influence on other artists, these exhibitions offer insight into the artist's life and the artistic giants of his time.
Must-See Paintings at Picasso Museum
1First Communion
The First Communion is an oil painting that Picasso completed when he was just 14 years old. This painting was one of the first portraits to be displayed in the Picasso Museum of Barcelona and is considered the artwork that marked his transition from the an amateur to a professional artist.
2Woman with a Bonnet
This painting from Picasso's Blue Period captured the somber atmosphere that permeated the dark days in the artist's life. The painting is almost monochromatic, with blue as the predominant color and details painted in white and brown.
3The Portrait of Jamie Sabartes
For a long time, Sabartes desired that Picasso paint him as a knight. Picasso fulfilled his friend's wish in 1939 through an oil painting in which Sabartes face is randomly distorted, keeping only the essential qualities of his face. Although contrary to Sabartes initial proposition, the idea behind the painting was that the viewer had be able to recognize the subject despite the distortion through these qualities alone.
4Science and Charity
Science and Charity is an oil painting on canvas completed in the year 1897. It depicts a sick man in his bed and beside him, a doctor. An example of social realism, Picasso was only 15 years old when he painted this formidable piece which was said to be the culmination of his academic training before he broke away from this style to pursue his own.
Best Time To Visit the Picasso Museum in Barcelona
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is open year-round. However, keep in mind that the peak season in Barcelona is in the summer between May and September. During this time, the city sees the most number of tourists and attractions like the Picasso Museum are consistently filled with people. A good time to visit is during the autumn months of October and November and the spring months of May and April. Avoid December, since opening timings of the Museum are reduced significantly. You might also want to visit in the morning and on a weekday for a quiet and pleasant experience.
Additionally, you can learn more about the Best Time to Visit Barcelona.
Picasso Museum Barcelona Timings
- Tuesday to Sunday — 10 AM to 8 PM
- Closed - Monday, 1 January, 1 May, 24 June, 25 December
- Reduced Opening Hours — 5 January from 10 AM to 5 PM, and on 24 and 31 December from 10 AM to 2 PM
Getting There
- By Car: You may travel by car to conveniently reach the venue. If you don't get parking at the Museum, you may park at Carrer Princesa and Passeig del Born instead.
- By Train: The closest train stations to Picasso Museum in Barcelona are Estació de França and Estació de Sants.
- By Metro: Take L4 to reach Jaume I Metro Station and L1 for the station at Arc de Triomf. It is a few minutes walk to the Picasso Museum from these stations.
Address: Museu Picasso de Barcelona, C/ Montcada, 15-23 - 08003 Barcelona
Insider Tips on Visiting the Picasso Museum in Barcelona
- Book your ticket in advance to confirm your preferred dates and times for your visit to the Picasso Museum.
- Booking online also secures your visit to the Museum which has a limited capacity of visitors each day.
- Use the cloakroom available at the entrance to store your belongings and small luggage.
- Don't forget to bring your camera to capture pictures of the stunning gallery. However, bear in mind that photography cannot be used for professional purposes.
- Visitors under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Please avoid touching the artwork!
- Consuming food and beverages is not allowed in the Museum. The Museum is a no-smoking zone as well.
- Enter the Museum for free on Thursdays between 5 PM and 8 PM and also on the first Sunday of the month. Entry is free also on 12 February, 18 May, and 24 September.
Restaurants Nearby
Try out this hole-in-the-wall a minute away from the Picasso Museum. With its cozy ambience, sit back and sip on a cocktail or a cold brew and satisfy yourself with a variety of tapas.
Running late? This casual counter-service restaurant is perfect for a quick bite to eat before you enter the Picasso Museum. Enjoy mouth-watering, thin-crust pizzas and lasagnas here.
Get tropical with this Cuban-style restaurant located a few meters away from the museum. Try their signature ropa vieja beef on for size or sit at the bar and enjoy a cocktail amidst its dazzling ambience.
Narciso is a perfect blend of classy and casual dining. Made with freshly baked bread and Italian cheese its sandwiches are to die for. Feel free to avail yourself of its impressive collection of wines and brews while you're there.
Other Attractions Around Picasso Museum
When you are done with the Picasso Museum, get inspired by the Moco Museum located next door. The Moco Museum of Barcelona is a renowned independent museum featuring contemporary, modern, and street artists, like Banksy, Guillermo Lorca, and Andy Warhol.
Distance from Picasso Museum: 80m
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Visit Casa Mila, an astounding work of Art Nouveau architecture created by Antoni Gaudi. It is one of Gaudi's most famous residential buildings and is known for its naturalistic elements displayed through its wavy facade and rooftop.
Distance from Picasso Museum: 2km
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Housed in a cutting-edge building is a vast permanent collection of 5000 works of art from the mid-20th century onwards that focuses on contemporary art produced in the Catalonian region and Spain. It is one of Barcelona's most visited museums because of its focus on the region's contributions to contemporary and modern thought and art.
Distance from Picasso Museum: 1.5 km
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These two museums are perfect for kids and can be found in a two-building complex that features 8 themed areas of pure fun and amusement. The mind-bending spatial illusions of the Museum of Illusions and the whacky life-size installations at the Big Fun Museum are sure to give you a memorable experience.
Distance from Picasso Museum: 1km
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Hotels around Picasso Museum Barcelona
FAQs
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is dedicated to the great Pablo Picasso and contains several of his works from his early years in Barcelona, the Blue Period, and the Las Meninas Series.
Entrance tickets to the Picasso Museum will cost you €15.
The Picasso Museum Barcelona is open Tuesdays to Sundays between 10 AM to 8 PM. It has reduced opening hours during the month of December and 5 January.
The Picasso Museum is closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May, 24 June, and 25 December.
Visitors usually spend more than an hour in the Picasso Museum.
Entry to the Picasso Museum is free on Thursday from 5 PM to 8 PM and the First Sunday of each month. It is also free on 12 February, 18 May, and 24 September.
