Do not miss the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) during your stay in the sublime Catalan capital!
True artistic institution on the Spanish East Coast, the MACBA ( Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona ) exposes contemporary collections in a huge open and luminous setting. The monument is a masterpiece of modern architecture and the treasures it houses are just as impressive. You will find works from the middle of the 20th century to the present day, often developed by young and emerging artists, little known to the general public.
Through several temporary exhibitions , the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) showcases art as a means of understanding the world around us, at various levels: social, economic, philosophical, political, etc. It is therefore an ideal place for
History of the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA)
Photo credit: Shutterstock / joan_bautista
The adventure of the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) begins in 1959 when Alexandre Cirici i Pellicer , famous critic of Spanish art, begins to collect various works of art with the help of other artists. He therefore emits the idea of creating a museum in Barcelona to expose his findings and make them known. After several itinerant exhibitions, including the very controversial “El Arte y la Paz” (open writing of the Francoist regime), the idea is unfortunately abandoned and the paintings and sculptures are entrusted to the Museum Victor Balaguer .
We have to wait. 1985 for the concept to be re-evoked with the creation of an association supported by the city of Barcelona and the Generalitat de Catalunya . An exhibition space is thus set up in the former Maison de la Charité. The following year, Mayor Pasqual Maragall suggested that a new building be built and dedicated to the modern works of Spanish artists.
♪ 1987 , Fundació privada Museu d’Art Contemporani is thus created and it definitively validates the project, entrusting its course to the American architect and artist Richard Meier . After 9 years of work, the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) officially opened its doors in November 1995 .
What to see and do at the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA)
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Teo Stuivenberg
Visiting the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA), it’s an uninterrupted way to explore indoor and outdoor spaces where modern art reigns as master. Disposal on 3 floors , temporary collections include paintings, sculptures, collages, documentaries and installations, perfected in a decor with modern design and a building bathed in natural light.
You can fully explore the museum and easily travel from room to room thanks to a unique ramp indicating the meaning of the visit . You will pass from a pop art atmosphere to the avant-garde current or from an intimate room with a tamized light to a huge corridor to colorful spots in just a few steps! The Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) is as eclectic as it is undisturbed by many surprises.
In addition to all exhibited works, the museum has one library filled with authentic archives that you can freely consult: written publications, photographs, audio-visual documents, etc.
If you want to take a little break, go to gastro-bar "MACBA CAFÈ Chichalimoná" and share discussions and discussions organized regularly while enjoying Catalan culinary specialties.
You can also take a tour in the Boutique boutique "MACBA store Laie" located in the Meie building. You will find books, magazines and objects inspired by the works of art exhibited and unique pieces, specially created by local designers for the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA).
How to get to the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA)?
The Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) is located in the historical and traditional district of the Raval, in the heart of the old city. With its huge windows and facades of an immaculate white, you can easily spot it. The address to visit the museum is: Plaça dels Àngels, 1 – 08001 Barcelona, Spain .
According to the area where you are located, you can visit the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) in several ways:
Metro
- Line 1 (red) and 2 (violet): stop « station Universitat »
- Line 3 (green): stops « Catalunya » or « Liceu »
Bus
- Line 120: stop « Plaça dels Àngels »
A Vélo
You can rent a self-service bike at one of the Bicing terminals (the Vélib’ in Barcelona) and return it to that of Plaça dels Àngels (number 059).
By train
Go down to the Plaça de Catalunya station and walk a few minutes to the museum.
Tourist shuttle
Take the red or blue lines of the hop on hop off bus and get off at the Plaça de Catalunya stop.
By car
If you come by carn Parking Plaça dels Àngels is the closest. While traffic is sometimes difficult in the city centre, we recommend that public transport be preferred.
Prices of the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA)
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Gimas
HORARI
Depending on the day you want to visit the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA), the opening hours vary:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Open from 10:00 to 8:00
- Sunday: open from 10:00 to 15:00
- School holidays and 15 August: open from 10:00 to 15:00
- Tuesday: closed
RATES
You can book your ticket to visit the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) at the counter located in the entrance of the monument, until you reach 30 minutes before museum closure . Only normal fare entries are bookable online on the official MACBA website.
- Standard rate : €11 per person (the ticket is valid for one month)
- Reduced price: €8.80 (for students, people over 65, journalists, teachers and groups from 15 people)
- Reduced price: 5€ for people with a “Carnet Jove” or “Xarxa de Biblioteques”, members of the Ateneu Barcelonès, employees of the RACC and the Zoo Club of Barcelona
- Articket Price: 30€ per person (the ticket is valid in 6 museums)
Note : The entrance is free for children under the age of 14, large or single-parent families, persons over the age of 65 with a card Tarjeta Rosa , members of the Amics del MACBA and the MACBA Foundation, persons with disabilities, teachers with a map Generalitat de Cataluny a, unemployed persons and journalists with official accreditation (national or international).
The Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA) is also available free of charge during the following periods and days:
- Saturday: 16:00 to 8:00
- During the Mercè festival (24 September): from 10:00 to 8:00
- During the International Museum Day and the Night of Museums (18 May): from 10:00 to 13:00
BON TO LEARN
- Des guided and personalized tours, made by museum employees or influential figures from the art world, are proposed for groups
- Next to each work, written information is available in Catalan, Spanish and English, but you will also find it in French on a leaflet at the entrance of the museum
- There is usually more visitors in the afternoon, because of the Spanish rhythm of life. So take your visit in the morning
– Count about 3 hours to tour all the rooms and exhibitions of the Musée d’art contemporain de Barcelona (MACBA)
- MACBA has no permanent collection. You will only find temporary exhibitions, the desire of the curators so that the regulars of the museum can enjoy different works at each of their visits.
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