MACBA, the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, is in Plaça dels Àngels in the Raval district. Its collection and changing exhibitions explore contemporary art through installations, video, photography and conceptual works, with a focus on Catalan and Spanish artists alongside international names. Richard Meier’s white, light-filled building gives the galleries a spare setting. Outside, the square has its own draw: skateboarders gather around works including Jorge Oteiza’s La Ola. Go for contemporary art and architecture, and leave time to see the public artworks around the building.
A museum shaped by contemporary art
MACBA opened in 1995 in Plaça dels Àngels, in the Raval district. The museum’s collection focuses on art from the second half of the 20th century to the present, with works by artists from Catalonia and Spain as well as international artists. Its holdings span painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, objects, installations, audiovisual works and sound recordings.
The displays bring together different approaches to contemporary art, including video, photography and conceptual work. Exhibitions change, so what is on view depends on the date of your visit. Some works invite close looking; others can be difficult to read without the accompanying text. Give yourself time to move through the galleries and consider the explanations rather than treating the visit as a quick circuit.
Richard Meier’s building in El Raval
American architect Richard Meier designed MACBA’s white museum building. Its glass frontage and open interiors bring natural light into the galleries, while the restrained design keeps attention on the artworks. The building’s scale and geometry stand out against the historic surroundings of El Raval. A wave-like form on one end of the main façade has been noted as a nod to Gaudí’s La Pedrera.
The museum’s setting is part of the visit. Plaça dels Àngels is a pedestrian square where skateboarders gather, often turning the space outside into a lively scene. Contemporary art continues beyond the galleries: Jorge Oteiza’s black aluminium sculpture La Ola is in the square, and Keith Haring’s red mural Todos Juntos Podemos Parar el Sida is behind the museum.
A politically engaged history
The project that led to MACBA began in 1959, initiated by art critic Alexandre Cirici Pellicer. In 1963, one of its early exhibitions, Art and Peace, indirectly protested the Franco dictatorship. That political challenge brought the organisation’s work to a brief halt. The museum project was revived in 1985 by Catalonia’s minister of culture, before MACBA opened in its current building in 1995.
Art and politics remain part of the museum’s context. Its contemporary exhibitions can take on social and political themes, and their meaning is not always immediately apparent. If you prefer art with a straightforward narrative, some displays may take more effort to connect with. Checking the exhibition programme before visiting can help you decide whether the current shows suit your interests.
Planning your visit
MACBA is at Plaça dels Àngels, 1. The museum is closed on Tuesdays; it opens later on Saturdays and Sundays than on most weekdays, and Sunday visits end in the afternoon. Check the current schedule and exhibition information on the museum website before setting out.
Free entry is available on Saturdays from 4pm with an advance online booking. Special open-door days are also listed, including International Museum Day and La Mercè. If you plan to use the free Saturday entry, reserve a slot ahead of time. Bags can be stored in lockers, and a €1 coin may be needed. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, lifts and restrooms.
Perguntas frequentes
When is entry to MACBA free?
Free entry is available on Saturdays after 4pm with an advance online booking. The museum also lists special open-door days.
What kind of art is at MACBA?
The collection focuses on contemporary art from the second half of the 20th century to the present. It includes work by Catalan, Spanish and international artists across media such as painting, sculpture, installations and audiovisual art.
What can you see outside MACBA?
Plaça dels Àngels is a gathering place for skateboarders and has Jorge Oteiza’s sculpture La Ola. Keith Haring’s mural Todos Juntos Podemos Parar el Sida is behind the museum.
Is MACBA wheelchair accessible?
The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
