Free museums to visit in Barcelona during La Mercè 2024

La Mercè, Barcelona's largest public street party in honor of its patron saint, begins this Friday.   

As every year, many museums and historical sites will open their doors for free: some on La Mercè day, September 24, and others on the days before.   

Here is a complete list of the main sites offering free admission to make the most of La Mercè. 

Art museums 

• Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB): One of the city's most visited exhibition and art centers will open its doors on September 22 and 24 from 11 am to 8 pm. 
• Fundació Miró: Located on the hill of Montjuïc, the foundation of one of Catalonia's most renowned artists, the painter Joan Miró, opens its doors for free on September 24 from 10 am to 8 pm. Registration required.   
• Barcelona's Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA): Located in the city's historic center in the spectacular building designed by Richard Meier, will be open to the public free of charge on September 24 from 10 am to 8 pm. 
• National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC): Located at the top of Montjuïc hill, one of the best art collections in Catalonia will be open to the public on September 24 from 10 am to 3 pm. Booking recommended. 
• Fundació Antoni Tàpies: The cultural center dedicated to the life and work of Catalan painter Antoni Tàpies will open its doors free of charge on September 24 from 10 am to 7 pm. 
• Picasso Museum Barcelona: The home of an extensive collection of works by Pablo Picasso, with a total of 4251 of his works, can be visited free of charge on September 22 and 24, from 9am to 8pm. Reservation required here.

History museums 

• El Born Center for Culture and Memory: Built in a historic space, this spectacular archaeological site, with remains of Barcelona from the 1700s, offers many free activities and visits o September 24. More information here. 
• Barcelona History Museum MUHBA: The museum dedicated to the history of Barcelona will be free on September 24, with different opening hours depending on the venue. Click here for more information. 
• Museum of the History of Catalonia: If you want to learn more about the history of Catalonia, this historical museum will open its doors free of charge on September 24 from 10 am to 7 pm.

Iconic sites 

• Sagrada Família: Antoni Gaudí's unfinished basilica opens its doors for free for four days through a raffle. Click here for more information.
• Monastery of Pedralbes: With nearly 700 years of history, the magnificent monastery is open to the public free of charge from September 24 from 10 am to 8 pm.
• Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau: The complex, built between 1901 and 1930, is one of the most important works of the Catalan modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It can be visited for freee on September 24 from 9.30am to 6.30pm. Booking required.
• Montjuïc Castle: The old military fortress on the hill of Montjuïc, which dates back to 1640, offers free admission on September 22 and 24 from 11am to 6pm. The tours are free and no registration is required, but get there early to ensure a spot. 
• Mies van der Rohe Pavilion: Architecture buffs can visit the iconic pavilion, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich in 1929, for free on September 24 from 10am to 2pm.

Science and design museums 

• CosmoCaixa: One of the city's most visited science museums, with a focus on the environment, nature, science and space, opens its doors on September 24 from 10 am to 8 pm.
• Design Museum of Barcelona (DHUB): The city's top design museum opens its doors on September 24 from 10 am to 8 pm.