Picasso Museum Barcelona free admission: when and how to visit
If you're planning to visit the Picasso Museum in Barcelona without paying, there are specific days and times when admission is free. Here's what you need to know to make it work
If you're planning to visit the Picasso Museum in Barcelona without paying, there are specific days and times when admission is free. Here's what you need to know to make it work.
Free admission schedule
First Sunday of every month
9:00am to 7:00pm
Includes collection and temporary exhibitions
Thursday evenings (October to March)
4:00pm to 7:00pm
Collection only
Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings (April to September)
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Collection only
Open Door Days
January 4, February 12, May 18, September 24
Full day access
Always free
Under 18 years old (all year round)
How to book free tickets
Free admission requires advance booking. You cannot just show up.
Tickets are released 4 days before the visit date and go fast. Book exactly at 10:00am on the Monday before your visit to have the best chance.
Book free tickets on the official website
What to expect on free days
Free admission days are crowded. Very crowded.
The museum can feel packed, especially during summer months. Viewing conditions are difficult, and you won't have the space to look at works properly.
If your priority is to actually see the art rather than just tick a box, paying for a regular ticket on a quieter day gives you a better experience.
When paid admission makes sense
If you want to visit on a free day but can't secure tickets, or if crowds aren't appealing, regular tickets start at €12 online.
Morning visits (9:00am to 11:00am) and late afternoons on weekdays tend to be less crowded.
Free alternatives
If free admission to the Picasso Museum doesn't work out, Barcelona has other museums with easier free access:
- MUHBA (History of Barcelona): Free every Sunday from 3:00pm
- MNAC: Free first Sunday of the month and Saturday afternoons
- Fundació Joan Miró: Check their website for specific free hours
Want to understand what you're seeing once you're inside?
Most people visit the Picasso Museum without context. They see the Blue Period paintings but miss why they matter.
Our free 1-page field guide focuses your attention on satire, distortion, and power in the current Ubu Painter exhibition.
Takes 3 minutes to read. Changes how you see the museum.
Related guides:
Picasso Museum Barcelona tickets and opening hours
Full practical guide with booking tips and visit planning
Miró and the United States
What to look for in the current temporary exhibition
