Barcelona Museums that offer FREE Entry & Open Days

Barcelona Museums that offer free days and open days.

In Barcelona, unlike other European cities, the Museums are not free. However, there are still open days and events for visiting museums for free.

Free On first Sunday of the month or every Sunday from 15:00h

Barcelona has multiple Museums that are run by the city council and most of these museums offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month, some all day and some between certain hours. Additionally, a few privately run museums have also subscribed to this scheme. Note that due to demand on free Sunday's, the museums may ask that people book their free entry in advance, especially since the covid pandemic as limits are placed on the number of visitors. My personal favourites for free first Sunday are the Museum National of Art Catalan (MNAC) by Montjuic Magic fountains (also free), Barcelona City History Museum (MHB) in the gothic quarter, Montjuic Castle and the Maritime Museum (MMB) in the port.

Popular open days where some museums are free to visit

The patron saint of Barcelona is Sant Eulalia which is celebrated on the 12th of February.

The Patron Saint of Catalunya is Saint Jordi (saint George - dragon slayer) which is celebrated on the 23rd of April.

The international day of Museums is celebrated on the 18th of May with some of Barcelona`s Museums having free days on and around this date.

The national day of Calalunya is the 11th Of September with some museum offering free access on this date.

La Merce, 24th September, is another patron saint of Barcelona with religious origins (Mare de Deu de la Merce - the virgin of grace) although I think more of this as a pagan festival, The autumn equinox, or Mabon, celebrating the end of summer weather. Some Museums have free open days for La Merce.

Barcelona Museums that offer FREE Entry & Open Days

Barcelona Museums that offer free days and open days.

Barcelona Museums that offer free days and open days

Recinte Modernista Sant Pau – Art Nouveau Museum in Barcelona

Explore Sant Pau’s stunning art-nouveau hospital complex in Barcelona. A UNESCO World Heritage museum designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner

Free Open day on 23rd April, 24th September & La noche del Museos

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MUHBA – Barcelona City History Museum in Plaça del Rei

Walk through Roman streets beneath Plaça del Rei at MUHBA, Barcelona’s city history museum housed in medieval palaces and Gothic architecture

1st Sunday of every month, Every Sunday from 15:00h

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Modelo Prison Museum: Barcelona’s Former Panopticon of Repression

Explore La Modelo, Barcelona’s former panopticon prison turned museum. Active from 1904 to 2017, it held political prisoners and saw executions under Franco. Now open for free guided and unguided visits

Free Entry Thursday & Friday 16:00h to 19:00h, Saturday 10:00h to 14:00h & 16:00h to 19:00h, Sunday 10:00h to 14:00h

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Barcelona Botanical Gardens | Montjuïc Nature & Bonsai

Explore Barcelona’s Montjuïc Botanical Gardens. Discover bonsai trees, Mediterranean plants, cactus trails, and spring flowers with city views

1st Sunday of every month, Every Sunday from 15:00h, 12th & 13th February, 18th May & 24th September

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Palau Güell: Gaudí’s Castle-Style Mansion in Las Ramblas

Visit Palau Güell, Gaudí’s medieval-style mansion in Las Ramblas. Explore all floors of this UNESCO-listed museum. Tickets, hours, and tour info available

1st Sunday of every month, 12 February, 23 April, 11 September, 24 September & 15 December

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Montjuïc Castle Barcelona – Fortress, Museum & City Viewpoint

Explore Montjuïc Castle: a bastioned fortress, military museum, Civil War prison, and panoramic viewpoint. Former Spanish Army base, now open to the public

Free Sunday's after 15:00h, Free all day first Sunday of month

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Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya MNAC – Palau Nacional Barcelona

Visit MNAC in Montjuïc’s Palau Nacional. Explore Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance & Catalan Modern Art. Tickets, discounts & accessibility info

Free Sundays after 15, Free all day first Sunday of month

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Born Cultural Centre Barcelona | Ruins, Museum & Guided Tours

Explore 1714-era ruins beneath a 19th-century market at El Born Cultural Centre. Free entry, guided tours, and powerful stories of Barcelona’s past

Free Entry all year round to mezzanine ground floor. Closed Monday. Guided tours to ruins and exhibition rooms 4 Euros.

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Museu d'Història de Catalunya (MHCAT) | Catalonia History Museum

Explore Catalonia’s past at Palau de Mar. From the Stone Age to the Civil War, this family-friendly museum offers interactive exhibits and rooftop views

1st Sunday of every month, 12th February, 23rd April, 16th, 17th & 18th May, 11th September, 24th September, 24th December

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Casa de la Ardiaca – Hidden Gem & Photo Spot in Barcelona

Scenic courtyard, rooftop views & modernist mailbox. A Gothic hidden gem beside the cathedral with archives, Roman walls & wedding-worthy photo spots

Free Entry to the interior patio and terrace plus any temporary exhibition

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Funeral Carriages Museum – Montjuïc Cemetery Barcelona

Explore historic funeral carriages in Montjuïc Cemetery. Free museum, notable burials, and walking routes through Barcelona’s most serene cemetery

Free Entry Saturday & Sunday 10:00h to 14:00h.

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Schooner Santa Eulàlia – Historic Sailboat in Port Vell

Restored 1918 schooner moored in Port Vell. Visit the deck and hold as part of the Maritime Museum collection. Free entry Sundays after 15h

Every Sunday from 15:00h, 18th May & 24th September

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Museu Marítim – Barcelona’s Historic Ship Museum

Explore Barcelona’s maritime past in the Drassanes shipyards. See royal galleys, historic boats, and hands-on exhibits for families and sea lovers

Every Sunday from 15:00h, 18th May & 24th September

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Museu Frederic Marès – Barcelona's Sculpture & Collector’s Museum

Explore Museu Frederic Marès in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Discover religious art, carved sculptures, and rare collectibles in a historic royal palace

1st Sunday of every month, Every Sunday from 15:00h, 12th February, 18th May & 25th September

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Picasso Museum Barcelona | 4000+ Works in El Born Palaces

Explore Picasso’s early works, ceramics, and cubism in 5 medieval palaces. Tips, tickets, free entry days, and guided tours in El Born, Barcelona

Thursday's 16:00h to 19:00h, first Sunday of each month. 12th and 13th February, 18th May and 24th September. Book free ticket online.

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Olympic & Sports Museum | Montjuïc 1992 Olympic Exhibits

Explore Barcelona’s Olympic & Sports Museum on Montjuïc. Interactive exhibits, 1992 Olympic history, and family-friendly fun. Tickets, hours & directions

First Sunday of every month, 12th February, 18th May, 24th September

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Pedralbes Monastery Museum – Monestir de Pedralbes Barcelona

Founded in 1326 by Queen Elisenda, Pedralbes Monastery features a 3‑tier cloister garden, sacred art, and preserved monastic rooms in Barcelona

First Sunday of month, Every Sunday from 15:00h, 3rd May, 18th May, 8th June, 24th September, 21st October

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Ethnological & World Cultures Museum | El Born Barcelona

Explore global heritage at Barcelona’s Ethnological Museum in El Born. Artifacts from Africa, Asia, Oceania & America. Free entry Sundays. Great rainy-day visit

First Sunday of month, Every Sunday from 15:00h, 12th February, 16th & 18th May, 24th September

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MUHBA Porta de Mar – Roman Sea Gate & Thermal Baths

Explore Roman ruins in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Free museum with 2000-year-old sea gate, thermal bathhouse remains, and trade history from ancient Barcino

Free Entry Wednesday 10:00h to 13:00h and Saturday 10:00h to 13:30h (except August)

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Barcelona Ethnological Museum in Montjuïc – Cultural Gems