Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona

Art museum · el Raval

Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona

Art museum · el Raval

3

Plaça dels Àngels, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

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Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by MONOCLE
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona by null

Highlights

This bright, white museum showcases an impressive mix of contemporary art from the 1940s onward, paired with a lively skater scene just outside.  

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Plaça dels Àngels, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain Get directions

macba.cat
@macba_barcelona

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Plaça dels Àngels, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain Get directions

+34 934 81 33 68
macba.cat
@macba_barcelona
𝕏
@MACBA_Barcelona

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Last updated

Mar 8, 2025

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@afar

"This modern white-cement-and-glass building designed by Richard Meier houses art by Spanish, Catalan, and international artists, particularly from South America and Eastern Europe. Check out abstracts from the 1950s and European pop and avant-garde works from the ’70s, as well as current pieces. Outside, watch local skaters perform gravity-defying tricks, and don't miss the restored Keith Haring street art mural on a nearby wall, dedicated to the fight against AIDS."

The Best Things to See and Do in Barcelona
View Postcard for Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
@monocle

"As you weave through the serpentine streets of El Raval you’ll eventually hit Plaça dels Àngels, which isn’t just a hotspot for Barcelona’s skateboarders. It’s also home to the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (Macba), the city’s main contemporary-art institution. Its permanent collection comprises about 5,000 works dating from the postwar period to the present day. There’s a vast Spanish and Catalan contribution as well as international art, particularly from eastern Europe and South America. Macba’s diverse and thoughtful exhibitions have covered everything from Catalan poets to forensic architecture."

Barcelona
View Postcard for Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art
@julian
Spain, Madrid and Barcelona
View Postcard for Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art

Val Vashutych

Google
We’ve enjoy enjoyed the experience - it was a really complex, layered one. The only thing is the 3d floor was closed - ask the staff before buying the tickets. We went out with a little hunger.

Chloe Marshall

Google
Good variety in contemporary art, the gallery is deceptively big and I was in there for almost 2 hours. Some interesting mini exhibitions as well - worth the ticket price! Great views of the skaters outside as well.

Thanawan Jiraprayoon

Google
Bought ticket online in advance but didn’t receive confirmation via email from them so the staff at front desk tries to help and she is quite sure I really bought it and there must be some errors in booking system. Art pieces are interesting but the air circulation in the museum is too warm and hard to breath.

Vincent Paolo Villano

Google
Really cool exhibits. Lots of sex positive, queer and feminist work, which I found really inspiring. I liked the sculptures in the lobby - as a scuba diver, that artist did seem to capture the feeling of witnessing underwater life. I found the skateboarding community right in front of the museum to be the most interesting aspect. I may be romanticizing a bit, but i didn’t notice issues between the museum security and patrons and the skateboarders. This tells me how integrated the two interests are as a single place for the public. I was visiting from the United States where dozens of Karens would no doubt complain of the “riff raff.”

Khyla Phillips

Google
This was a really incredible museum. And it's open on Mondays!! Which most museums in Barcelona are not so that was a nice surprise. I enjoyed all the exhibits but especially the "Las muertes chiquitas" exhibit. As a woman it was extremely sad and touching to see our sexual pleasure and trauma explored through art. Highly recommend. Its very cheap for how big it is as well.

Seokjin Ham

Google
It is Barcelona’s leading contemporary art museum, showcasing artworks from the 1940s to the present. The collection includes works by Joan Miró, Antoni Tàpies, and other prominent Catalan artists. Discussions about the need for a contemporary art space in Barcelona began in 1959, and the museum was officially inaugurated in 1995. Designed by Richard Meier, its white, minimalist, and modern structure contrasts strikingly with the surrounding historic landscape. The museum’s outdoor plaza is also well known as a popular gathering spot for skateboarders.

Piia Õunpuu

Google
Nice contemporary art museum, definitely reserve 1-2 hours for it - it’s quite big! Building looks very cool and they have a very good museum shop/bookshop as well.

Luis O

Google
Extraordinary experience! The museum is a hub of creativity and innovation. The current exhibitions are truly impressive, featuring a diverse array of artworks that challenge and inspire. One standout exhibit explores the intersection of technology and art, with interactive installations that invite you to engage directly with the pieces. Another exhibition delves into social issues, presenting powerful works that provoke thought and discussion. The layout of the museum is sleek and modern, perfectly complementing the cutting-edge art on display. The MACBA also hosts a bunch of events and workshops, which keeps things really lively. I got my ticket online, and they mentioned it’s good for unlimited reentry for the whole next month, which is awesome!

Peter L.

Yelp
Great contemporary museum in a blah boring Richard Meier building. The museum is huge! Accessed by a couple famous in front of a glass wall.

Rohan D.

Yelp
Great museum, the building itself is a remarkable work of art. The displays are artistically arranged, with a very educational orientation. I thought I knew about modern art, but I learned more in their galleries about the relationship between modernism, modern art, anti-facism, and popular culture than in any lecture or class. Used the Barca card to get in free, but had to leave a donation because this is such a fascinating museum. Amusing gift shop. It's also in a very interesting neighborhood. Near the Universitat Metro Stop which makes for an interesting walk from the station to the museum. https://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/maps/attractions/macba.html

Susan L.

Yelp
Came here to see a few exhibits. Apparently, it was a school excursion for a few schools and students of various grades. Kids were Pretty loud and obnoxious at times. One teacher took approximately 8 students boys and girls to the women restroom on the first floor. They were around 8 years old..found it to be odd. Recommendations go on weekends with no school trips.

Jean Y.

Yelp
Great museum in Barcelona. Huge well designed contemporary building in Barcelona. I saw special exhibition of Jaume Plensa. What a great sculptor! There are ton of museums in Barcelona, this show topped!

Debbie S.

Yelp
Really enjoyed my visit to this museum. The exhibits were thought provoking. Fortunately for me the descriptions were printed in English and were very interesting. The building itself has a great feel to it. The restrooms were nice and clean. Especially enjoyed sitting in one of the outdoor cafes outside after touring the museum and watching the skateboarders and other passers by. Hope to return.

Kasha T.

Yelp
I absolutely hate contemporary art, but the fam wanted to check this out so tried to be open minded. Entrance was so crowded with skateboarders that we had to elbow our way through for a mediocre museum (3 floors) with terrible exhibits. I sat downstairs and tried to connect to WiFi to write this review while the others spent 5 minutes climbing three flights of stairs for terrible art and random exhibits that were way too spaced out. One plus: outside of the exhibits it was dead silent, although inside there was some weird "contemporary" static music that was an instant headache. Do yourself a favor and don't waste any time here. Check out the awesome Barcelona History Museum with some super cool Roman ruins instead

Michael U.

Yelp
Included as part of the ARTICKETBCN, MACBA features a thoroughly underwhelming collection further marred by the fact that during our visit the workers were on strike for unfair labor practices. Although slightly more impressive than the CCCB which was also 'supposedly' included on the Pass this is a definite 'skip' for all but the most hardcore Modern Art devotee.

Abbie O.

Yelp
While a lot of the pieces in this museum are pretty abstract, I think contemporary art lovers will appreciate the aesthetic. When we went, a group of university students were performing in the lobby, and getting through all of the exhibits didn't take more than two hours.

V V.

Yelp
Contemporary art is always controversial. So I won't decide whether or not you'll like the "art". It's a very small exhibit and I wasn't really moved by any of it. Gift shop was great. Staff was fantastic Great FREE wifi w entry Clean restrooms and a comfortable place to rest on bean bags in atrium. Not sure it was worth the 10€ for me- I wished i would have gone to Picasso instead

Lizy K.

Yelp
Honestly, I really loved the aesthetic of this place. It wasn't too crowded, and the artwork was great. I have read some of the bad reviews, and personally, I think these people just don't like Contemporary Art. I definitely recommend visiting, if you're actually into Contemporary Art. If you're not, I don't know why you're going into this place expecting it to change your mind. My only problem with this Museum is the Skate Park in front of the building. Although, I am not against it. I love the structure of the building and the artwork is beautifully displayed. The artwork is amazing and everything is arranged very well. The gift shop was also great. I definitely recommend going to this museum!

Neline S.

Yelp
Museu D'Art Contemporani de Barcelona or otherwise known as MACBA is located in the El Raval district and designed by Richard Meier. What I noticed about the structure was its sleek, minimalist design opposite of most structures in Barcelona who fall more into the Gothic/Gaudi design. The structure reminded me more of buildings seen in Germany or one of the Nordic countries however, since the museum is dedicated to contemporary art, the structure represents the collections accordingly. It's a large structure with lots of sunlight streaming through the glass windows when you're in the lobby or walking up angled floors to reach the next exhibits. Depending on the exhibit and the season, you can spend 30 minutes in one floor to an hour depending on your interest. During the day, the front of MACBA is frequented by skaters who use the open layout and the design structure for tricks. What surprised me was how laid back the staff as most establishments deter skaters from skating around the buildings or use it for loitering purposes. I actually sat in the front for an hour and people watched which was great to absorb the vibe. I did hear a lot of Australian/Irish accents hanging out with their Spanish counterparts. However, my friends and I returned later in the evening around 11pm when walking to a bar and noticed the area still full of skaters and saw a mattress nearby as a makeshift sleeping area. Overall, I was more impressed with the architecture than the collection but perhaps that season wasn't as exciting as previous seasons and I was only there on a holiday. MACBA requires multiple visits to fully appreciate the art they bring to Barcelona as I consider the city one of the most vibrant art cities thus far.

Rimi K.

Yelp
*~*Part of the 6-musuem pass of Barcelona, a modern view of B-Art*~* I can understand the low ratings. Its not Picasso Museum to be sure. But the art is interesting none-the less. It is contemporary art. Its a little odd, and totally the perspective of the artist. The exhibits were interesting and unique. Installations. Video installations. 3D art. As I said. Interesting. Definitely recommend.

Jon L.

Yelp
An interesting place and possibly a worthy of the time if you are really interested in Contemporary Art, but perhaps a little too avant garde and not as well presented as it could be. While the architecture of the MACBA is impressive and the collection does include some important pieces of work, I found the presentation lacking. In some exhibitions, there was an overabundance of explanation for the art. So much so that I felt I was distracted by the words. Perhaps, the art could have been allowed to speak more for itself. In other exhibitions, there was little or no information or background on the piece. While I had spent so much time reading about other pieces, I spent more time puzzled by others and not in a good way. A bit of background on the piece or artist could have added much to the presentation as is the practice of other premier galleries. In short, I wouldn't have included this place on another planned trip to Barcelona.

Lisa H.

Yelp
A wonderful place. A great variety of exhibitions, even thou I wasn't super impressed by any of them. Nice, and well worth a visit, but nothing that really spoke to me. As an architecture student I was more interested in the building itself than in the actual exhibitions. It's a nice piece of architecture. I liked the ramps and the way they work with the natural light the most. Also, the balcony was nice, and the skating area outside is quite impressing. Has free wi-fi and a lower entrance fee for students. Nice staff as well, I spoke to them in Spanish and they let my friend who had forgotten his student ID in at student price as well (I think it was 8 euros/person)

Laura F.

Yelp
Little collection for a too big structure ! Some pieces are interesting but (for me) not the majority. I'm very disappointed about it. It is not a museum of "modern art" (as I read it here) but contemporary one, not the same ! In each museum, and in particulary in contemporary museums, there are a lot of sh*t pieces. My feeling about my visit ? I lost my time except for the Richard Hamilton or Gerhard Richter pieces.

Patrick B.

Yelp
This was a horrible museum. Some of these exhibits are just so stupid and that one on the Honeymoon between Christopher Columbus statue and the Statue of Liberty totally misses the boat on what the statue symbolizes for America, Americans, and for the relationship between the US and France. Disregarding the statue's true symbolism is disrespectful. Furthermore, this museum is very weird, and not really the kind of interesting weird where you want to keep exploring. Too much stuff on food coloring and moldy food. If this is art I'm very worried.

Ken G.

Yelp
This was a pretty good museum...lots of contemporary art, most of which if fairly abstract. If you can appreciate contemporary art, then this a great spot to visit. I'm more traditional when it comes to art so even though I appreciated some of the work, most of it was a bit over my head. The building itself is great.

Felicia M.

Yelp
MACBA's collection of contemporary art is impressive, thought-provoking, and multi-sensory. A few previous reviewers remarked that some of the works were 'pseudo-artsy.' While I understand that perspective ~ for a few of the pieces ~ I felt the vast majority were unflinchingly honest.

Lily L.

Yelp
The neatest thing about this museum was the building itself. It looks big on the outside, but is fairly small in terms of the actual space used for art. I had heard great things about this museum, but for whatever reason (perhaps the timing of current exhibits, etc), I thought the museum lacked a connection between the exhibits. I only found 2 or 3 of the exhibits interesting. Additionally, not sure what is wrong with the credit card machines in Spain, but both the one in Barcelona and Madrid did not work for my Visa (which worked just about everywhere else)!

Rob K.

Yelp
I would be more inclined to say I experienced or visit here, rather than enjoyed it. The MACBA building is really unassuming from the outside, and is just white on the inside - although I did like the long, sloping walkways that ran the length of the building. I think the nicest thing I can say about the exhibits on display is - pretentious crap. And then have a big debate about what is art. To me, walking into a room with 40 speakers dangling of the ceiling, each saying something about different political issues, is not art. Watching all the skateboarders outside, was closer to being art, for me. The gift shop, however, was amazing!! Really big, and covered a wide selection of object d'art, books etc. If you're in Barcelona for a while and either appreciate their thing, or just want something weird to do, visit here. Otherwise, I have to say don't waste your time. 2 stars for the building, 1 for the gift shop, and 1 for the entertaining skateboarders.

Tamara N.

Yelp
This museum is beautiful and you do gain a lot of knowledge from it. Not really the kind of museum I would recommend to friends and family but definitely read about what this is about and see if you are interested before visiting.

R S.

Yelp
The only reason I didn't rate it a one star is that it did give us a place to be out of the rain for a few hours. What a terrible disappointment. Don't waste your time if it is art you want to see and or experience. We were here a few years ago and it had a few really good pieces. I don't know what has happened but the curator of this current exhibit should be dismissed immediately. What a disgrace to such a wonderful city and such amazing people! Shame on you MACBA, shame.

Julia V.

Yelp
Came here because it was one of the museums I could visit with the Articket (30 euro for 6 museums) The building is beautiful but sadly I was simply unimpressed with the exhibitions. The exhibits were mostly photography and audiovisual art, some rooms seeming fairly sparse and empty. Compared to the many contemporary art museums I've been to around the world this one was one of my least favourite, maybe Spanish contemporary art is not my thing. I covered this museum in 45 minutes. Skip it if you're pressed for time.

Matt K.

Yelp
We visited on our first day in Barcelona, we simply happened upon it and went in. Cost of admission was 10 euro per adult. The museum is laid out across three levels, with really interesting pieces in the galleries. It would not be the first thing on my list of things to do in Barcelona, but if you are interested in modern art and have the time- it is certainly worth going!

Silvie C.

Yelp
Totally not ashamed to say I only came here to see the guys skateboarding. I paid 10 euro for a small three exhibit museum. The exhibits were were alright when I went but I still have a very poor grasp of contemporary and modern art. Would recommend for art buffs, but not for art novices.

Qype User (lauraa…)

Yelp
A wonderful building to look at from outside over a hot coffee or cool drink! We loved sitting outside watching the skaters doing justice to the artwork outside. Inside the building was filled with fabulous exhibitions but if I'm honest I spent way too long in the shop looking through the wonderful books! I came away with.. a great fridge magnet!! Culture or what. A lovely place to visit and wonderful to look at and around.

Qype User (sangme…)

Yelp
Well, the building itself is interesting as modern construction. The collections (always changing) are VERY modern. From my point of view, it was pure crap. If I tried to be objective I'd say that unless you are a contemporary art freak, that gets exited with a chair wearing a scarf in an empty room, just don't waste your time.

Kaivan S.

Yelp
Some great exhibits and a beautiful buildings. Several quite long video displays that were very interesting. Some exhibits overcrowded with material instead of letting a few pieces shine. Also great area to walk around and explore.

Felipe A.

Yelp
One of the best museums in Barcelona, with a big and varied collection of contemporary art. A part from the exhibits you should definitely visit the store, the library and try to go to one of their events, always bringing great names in contemporary art.

Rebecca S.

Yelp
The Forensic Architecture exhibit is absolutely worth every penny (10 euros for adults, kids are free). A beautiful, modern, light-filled building and the exhibits were thought-provoking and well curated. Even my tween kids thought this place was cool. Kudos to Barcelona for having given the modern world a nod amongst all its glorious history.