Free museums open every first Sunday of the month in Barcelona

Every first Sunday of the month, many of Barcelona’s biggest museums open their doors free of charge. 

Some exhibition spaces, such as the MNAC, open free every weekend in the afternoon as well, but do away with the time limits when it’s the first Sunday of the month. 

From art, history, science, and design, and even some iconic Gaudí monuments and buildings, there’s sure to be something for everyone. 

Check out our list of all the museums, galleries, and centers opening for free every first Sunday of the month and start making your plans to learn a new side of Catalonia.

In addition to this list, most museums also open for free on certain special days, like February 12 for Santa Eulàlia, Night of the Museums in mid-May each year, and September 24 for La Mercè. 

Art museums 

• National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC): Located at the top of Montjuïc hill, one of the best art collections in Catalonia is open to the public 10 am to 3 pm. Visits are also free every Saturday from 3 pm. Booking online in advance recommended. 
• Picasso Museum Barcelona: The home of an extensive collection of works by Pablo Picasso, with a total of 4251 of his works, can be visited free of charge all day on Sunday. Reservation required here.
• Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB): One of the city's most beloved exhibition and art centers also opens its doors free every Sunday from 3 pm to 8 pm. Booking in advance recommended.
• Design Museum of Barcelona (DHUB): The city's top design museum is open free every first Sunday of the month, and from 3 pm all other Sundays. 
• Foto Colectania: This intimate and cosy photography gallery always has new fascinating and experimental photo exhibitions on display. Visit Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm. 
• Music Musuem: Hundreds of instruments from all over the world are on display here, telling the story of how music’s decisive role in knitting together our social lives. Free every Sunday from 3 pm and Thursdays from 6 pm to 9 pm, while visitors can enter all day on the first Sunday of every month. 
• Frederic Marès Museum: A a unique collection that preserves the pieces assembled by its founder, sculptor Frederic Marès. The museum is also free every Sunday after 3 pm. 

History, science, and other museums 

• MUHBA Barcelona History Museum: The museum dedicated to the history of Barcelona is free all day on the first Sunday of the month, and from 3 pm all other Sundays. 
• Museum of History of Catalonia: If you want to learn more about the history of Catalonia, this museum by the sea opens its doors free of charge from 10 am to 2.30 pm. 
• Museums of World Cultures: The Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món invites visitors to reflect on societies, based on a tangible cultural heritage collection of over 70,000 pieces from all over the world. Free every Sunday, from 3 pm to 7:30 pm, and the first Sunday of every month from 10 am to 7:30 pm.
• Maritime Museum of Barcelona: The Maritime Museum is a space for interpreting and sharing Catalan maritime culture in a way that is innovative, participative, and in touch with society and the country through research, conservation, and the protection of our heritage. Free every Sunday from 3 pm.
• Archaeology Museum of Catalonia: The museum offers more than 3000 m² of permanent exhibitions dedicated to the historical roots of Catalonia, from Prehistory to the Early Middle Ages. They exhibit a careful selection of objects from the important archaeological collections preserved by the institution. Free every first Sunday of the month from 10 am to 2.30 pm. 
• Martorell Exhibitions Centre: One of Barcelona’s newest museum spaces is now open in the Ciutadella Park. The new venue hosts scientific exhibitions on natural sciences, topics with a strong social impact related to both the climate crisis and biodiversity, as well as the exploration of the current frontiers of knowledge. Free entry every first Sunday of every month all day, and every Sunday from 3 pm until close.
• Museum of Natural Sciences of Barcelona – Fòrum: This institution was founded over 140 years ago and has a natural heritage collection in the fields of mineralogy, petrology, palaeontology, zoology and botany comprising of more than four million specimens. Free the first Sunday of every month all day and all Sundays throughout the year after 3 pm. 
• Botanic Gardens: Free the first Sunday of every month all day and all Sundays throughout the year after 3 pm. 
• Olympic and Sport Museum: A window into the world of sport. Delving deep into sport as the materialisation of a universal language without borders and a tool for social integration, the museum takes visitors on an unforgettable, long-distance journey into sport. Free every first Sunday of the month. 

Iconic sites 

• Palau Güell: Built by Antoni Gaudí between 1886-1890, the Palau, located just off La Rambla boulevard, is one of Gaudí’s early works, and contains the essence of his later masterpieces and is fundamental to understanding his architecture. Open free every first Sunday of the month. Prior booking required, with free tickets available from the Thursday before.
• Montjuïc Castle: The old military fortress on the hill of Montjuïc, which dates back to 1640, offers free admission on Sundays after 3 pm and all day every first Sunday of the month.
• Mies van der Rohe Pavilion: Architecture buffs can visit the iconic pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929, for free every first Sunday of the month. 
• Monastery of Pedralbes: With nearly 700 years of history, the magnificent monastery is open to the public free of charge every first Sunday of the month.
• Tibidabo Automatons Museum: Over 30 unnerving historical automatons are gathered in this museum's collection. The museum is regarded as one of the best in the world for the excellent condition of its pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Open free on other days

• Barcelona's Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA): Located in the city's historic center in the spectacular building designed by Richard Meier, MACBA differentiates from the rest and opens for free every Saturday, not just the first of the month, from 4 pm to 8 pm. 
• KBr Photography Centre: Tuesdays all day, open 11 am to 8 pm. 

Sites always free

• Palau Robert 
• Arts Santa Monica
• Fabra i Coats Contemporary Arts Centre
• Virreina Centre de la Imatge
• Museum of the Cheap Houses of Bon Pastor: