Stämpfli Foundation Sitges – Contemporary Art Museum

About Stämpfli foundation Contemporary Art Museum

The Stämpfli Foundation is one of Sitges’ most important contemporary art spaces, created through the vision of Swiss artist Peter Stämpfli and his wife, Anna Maria Stämpfli. Known internationally for his bold geometric style and iconic tyre‑tread motifs, Peter Stämpfli has exhibited in major institutions including the Centre Pompidou and the Jeu de Paume in Paris. His work forms part of leading public and private collections across Europe, the United States and Asia, and in 2004 he was named an Adoptive Son of Sitges in recognition of his cultural contribution to the town.

Stämpfli Foundation History

The Stämpfli Foundation Museum occupies a striking building in Plaça de l’Ajuntament, the former Sitges Fish Market built in the 1950s. After the market closed in the early 1990s, the space was used for municipal offices until 2010, when part of the building was allocated to the newly created Stämpfli Foundation. A second exhibition hall occupies a floor in Can Mec, a nearby building dedicated to the Sitges Historical Studies Group.

The transformation of the old market into a contemporary art gallery was led by architect Josep Maria Coll, who preserved the building’s heritage while adapting it for modern exhibition needs. The result is a clean, minimalist space that contrasts beautifully with the historic square outside.

The Stämpfli Foundation was officially established in 2006 and opened to the public in 2011. Its mission is to bring high‑quality international contemporary art to Sitges, showcasing works donated by artists, their families and prominent gallerists. The collection spans more than 50 years of artistic creation and includes pieces by leading figures in geometric abstraction, pop‑influenced minimalism and European avant‑garde movements.

The museum is overseen by a board that includes Peter and Anna Maria Stämpfli, along with notary Lluís Jou. Its Advisory Board features respected figures from the international art world, including Serge Lemoine (former director of the Musée d’Orsay), Henry‑Claude Cousseau (former director of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux‑Arts in Paris), and art critic Daniel Giralt‑Miracle. Their involvement underscores the foundation’s ambition to position Sitges as a reference point for contemporary art in Catalonia.

Today, the Stämpfli Foundation exhibits around 90 works, including 36 by Peter Stämpfli himself. The collection offers a rare opportunity to explore a coherent body of contemporary art in a compact, beautifully curated space — making it an essential stop for art lovers visiting Sitges.

Image Gallery For Stämpfli foundation Contemporary Art Museum

Click on any of the 24 images to open full screen gallery player. Note that viewing images is subject to our Fair Use Policy.

Visiting Stämpfli foundation Contemporary Art Museum

The Stämpfli Foundation currently displays around 90 works, including 36 pieces by Peter Stämpfli himself. The collection is compact but thoughtfully curated, making it an ideal stop for travellers who want to experience high‑quality contemporary art without the scale or time commitment of a large museum. Expect bold geometric compositions, striking colour fields and works that reflect the evolution of European avant‑garde movements over the past five decades.

Adult tickets cost 5 euros per person, and the museum’s central location in Plaça de l’Ajuntament makes it easy to combine with visits to the nearby Maricel Museum, Cau Ferrat or a stroll through Sitges’ old town.

Stämpfli Foundation Opening Hours

The museum is only open on weekends, with hours varying by season:

November, December, January & February: 10:00am to 2:00pm
March, April, May, June & October: 10:00am to 5:00pm
July, August & September: 10:00am to 2:00pm and 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Because opening hours are limited, it’s worth checking the schedule before planning your visit — especially outside the summer season.

Stampfli foundation Homepage Stampfli foundation Hours

Accessibility for Stämpfli foundation Contemporary Art Museum

Access to the Stämpfli Foundation is directly from street level on Plaça de l’Ajuntament, making the entrance easy for most visitors. Inside, the museum has several floors: the basement level is only accessible via stairs, while the upper floors can be reached by either stairs or lift. Visitors with reduced mobility may wish to contact the museum in advance for detailed accessibility information.

There are no bicycle anchorage points immediately outside the museum, so cyclists should plan to lock bikes elsewhere in the historic centre.

Large rucksacks and bulky bags are not permitted inside the museum, and there is no storage space at reception. I was allowed to enter with my small 10L daypack, but anything larger will need to be left at your accommodation.

Stämpfli foundation Contemporary Art Museum Summary of Prices

Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Train/Bus Fare Entry Ticket Additional Information Adult € 9.20 € 5.00 Child € 9.20 € 5.00 Notes Limited opening hours of weekends and Friday afternoons.

Getting to Sitges

Address: Plaça de l'ajuntament 4, Sitges, 08870

The Stämpfli Foundation is located in the historic centre of Sitges, right on Plaça de l’Ajuntament, a short walk from the seafront and the old town’s main pedestrian streets. From Sitges train station, it’s an easy 10‑minute walk through the compact town centre, passing cafés, boutiques and the church square before reaching the museum.

Visitors arriving from Barcelona will find the museum conveniently placed for a cultural stop on any Sitges day trip. Its central location makes it simple to combine with nearby attractions such as the Maricel Museum, Cau Ferrat and the waterfront promenade.

For full transport details — including trains, buses and parking — see the Sitges Day Trip guide, which explains the easiest ways to reach Sitges from Barcelona and how to navigate the old town on foot.