As well as the many cultural activities scheduled in Málaga throughout the year, the capital of the Costa del Sol has pulled out all the stops this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of one of its most illustrious neighbours: the great Pablo Picasso.
Do you have a few days to spare and fancy taking a cultural trip? Then read on, as this guide will tell you all you need to know for a visit to the Picasso Museum in Málaga: where it is, how to get there, opening times, prices and the different types of ticket available, as well as additional tips on how to get the most out of one of the best places to visit in the city of Málaga.
Museo Picasso Málaga: paintings and collections
Opened in October 2003, Museo Picasso Málaga welcomes over half a million visitors every year. A figure which undoubtedly makes it the city’s most popular museum and the most visited in Andalusia.
And, unsurprisingly, the beautiful architecture of the venue (the historical Buenavista Palace) and the 11 rooms that make up the museum are more than enough reason to visit this art gallery, housing both a permanent collection and various temporary exhibitions.
The Permanent Collection at Museo Picasso Málaga
The permanent collection at Museo Picasso Málaga consists of 233 works of art, spanning eight decades of work by this brilliant local artist: paintings, ceramics and sculptures, as well as audiovisual materials such as interviews.
Temporary Exhibitions at Museo Picasso Málaga
The temporary exhibitions at Museo Picasso Málaga change every so often. Those currently running are as follows:
- Perpetual Metamorphosis. A selection of works created by Picasso soon after the Second World War, one of his most creative periods.
- Picasso Sculptor. Matter and Body. A selection of works in which the artist represented the human body seen as a whole and also as fragments.
You can also visit the official website of Museo Picasso Málaga for more information on future temporary exhibitions.
Entry to Museo Picasso Málaga
Tickets for the museum can be purchased in person from the ticket office or online (recommended).
The entry fee for Museo Picasso Málaga varies according to the number of exhibitions you want to visit:
- Permanent Collection + Temporary Exhibition (Perpetual Metamorphosis)
- Standard ticket: 9.5 euros
- Discounted ticket: 7.5 euros
- Permanent Collection + 2 Temporary Exhibitions (Perpetual Metamorphosis + Picasso Sculptor. Matter and Body)
- Standard ticket: 12 euros
- Discounted ticket: 10 euros
Antes de comprar tu ticket de acceso debes tener en cuenta que las entradas reducidas son aplicables a las personas mayores de 65 años, los titulares del Carné Joven Europeo y los estudiantes menores de 26 años.
Before you buy your ticket, it’s worth noting that discounted tickets are available to over 65s, European Youth Card holders and students under 26 years of age.
You can also gain free entry to the museum on Sundays during the last two hours before closing and on special dates, as follows:
- Andalusia Day (28 February)
- International Museum Day (18 May)
- World Tourism Day (27 September)
- Anniversary of the museum’s opening (27 October)
How to visit Museo Picasso de Málaga
There are basically two ways of visiting Museo Picasso Málaga: independently or on a guided tour. Guided tours can be booked in advance or at the ticket office at the museum when you buy your ticket.
In our opinion, the best option is to take a guided tour booked in advance, for two reasons:
- With an organised one-hour guided tour, you save a lot of time at the entrance to the museum. This is particularly beneficial if you’re visiting Málaga during high-season periods, such Easter, summer and Christmas.
- The guided tour is conducted by a museum education officer, who is an expert on the artist’s work. You will hear anecdotes and interesting facts about the work of Picasso and his contribution to the history of world art.
That said, you can also visit the Picasso Museum in Málaga on your own account. If you prefer this option, we’d recommend you:
- Book your tickets online as soon as possible, especially if you want to visit the museum at the weekend or in high season.
- Visit the museum on a weekday, as it will be less busy than at weekends.
- Don’t take luggage or large bags with you. You’ll have to leave them in the museum cloakroom and this will take time both to deposit your possessions and to collect them afterwards.
How to get to Museo Picasso Málaga
Museo Picasso Málaga is located in the iconic Buenavista Palace, right in the heart of the city’s old town and very close to the Roman Theatre and the Alcazaba of Málaga. So, the best way of getting to the museum is on foot.
But you can also use public transport to get there:
- Tourist Bus: The red route stops right outside the entrance to Picasso’s birthplace.
- Urban bus: Routes 1, 3, 8, 11, 37, C1, C2 and N2.
- Metro: Line 1. Atarazanas Station.
- Commuter Train: The nearest station is Málaga Centro Alameda, around 15 minutes’ walk from the museum.
Museo Picasso Málaga Opening Times
Museo Picasso Málaga is open from Monday to Sunday at the following times:
- March, April, May and June: 10:00 to 19:00.
- July and August: 10:00 to 20:00.
- September and October: 10:00 to 19:00.
- November, December, January and February: 10:00 to 18:00.
But when planning your visit, remember that the museum’s opening times are shorter on special dates:
- 24 and 31 December: 10:00 to 15:00.
- 5 January: 10:00 to 15:00.
- 25 December, 1 January and 6 January: closed.
Activities for children at Museo Picasso Málaga
Given that the aim of the museum is to bring art to all audiences, regular workshops and cultural activities are held for the younger members of the family. As the children are involved in art workshops and/or visiting the rooms accompanied by the museum education officers, the adults are free to enjoy the permanent collection.
It’s also worth noting that there are specific activities for children of all ages, from the very young to teenagers. There’s no chance of anyone getting bored at Museo Picasso Málaga!
You can find out more about the initiatives available in the Learn and Research section of the Museo Picasso Malaga website.
We’re sure that this practical guide to Museo Picasso Málaga will have sparked your interest in the most universally renowned figure from Málaga of all time. Book a flight to Málaga and enjoy the art in his native city!
