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.
Christmas Eve, 24th December. A few museums open for free on this day.
Noches de los Museos
On one or more evenings of the year many museums host special free open days where they open in the evening till late, some till 1am.
Click on any of the below museums to read more.
