The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is the go-to institution for discovering the formative years of Pablo Ruiz Picasso. Opened to the public in 1963, it houses over 5,000 works in its permanent collection and plenty of temporary exhibitions.
Located in the Born district, the museum was founded thanks to the initiative of Picasso and his close friend and secretary, Jaume Sabartés, who donated the original collection. While Sabartés originally considered setting up the museum in Málaga, it was Picasso himself who insisted it should be in Barcelona.
The museum is spread across five stunning Gothic palaces, some of the finest examples of medieval civil architecture in the city. Inside, you’ll find pieces from Picasso’s Blue Period, his complete 58-painting Las Meninas series inspired by Velázquez, linocuts, engravings, and a beautiful collection of ceramics.
⛪ The best attractions in Barcelona
When is the Picasso Museum free?
Like many Barcelona museums, entry is free on the first Sunday of every month, and every Thursday after 5pm. It’s also free on open-door days:
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12 February (Santa Eulàlia)
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18 May (International Museum Day)
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24 September (La Mercè)
How much is admission?
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Permanent collection: €13 (€12 online)
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Temporary exhibitions: €7.50 (€6.50 online)
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Combined ticket: €15 (€14 online)
Discounted rates are available for visitors aged 18–25, Barcelona library card holders, University students (with valid ID), over 65s and unemployed individuals or holders of the reduced-rate Targeta Rosa.
The museum shop, Room 0, and the ground-floor corridor are free to enter every day.
How many works are in the Picasso Museum?
The museum’s collection includes around 5,000 pieces, created in cities such as Málaga, A Coruña, Barcelona, Madrid, and Horta de Sant Joan. These works reflect Picasso’s strong academic grounding and early artistic personality, making the museum a key reference point for understanding the artist’s formative years.
Time Out tip
Queues can be punishingly long – visit at lunch or shortly before the last entry. Buying online also helps avoid queueing for too long.