Picasso Museum Opening Hours & Closing Days
The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed every Monday. In winter (late September–late March) it opens 10:00am–7:00pm; in summer it opens earlier at 9:00am, closing 8:00pm and as late as 9:00pm on Thursday to Saturday. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. It also closes on 1 January, 1 May, 24 June and 25 December.
The single most common mistake at the Picasso Museum is turning up on a Monday, when it is closed all year. The hours are otherwise generous but shift with the season and run later on some evenings than others, which matters when you’re timing a visit around the El Born crowds or a free-entry slot.
This guide sets out the 2026 opening hours by season and day, the last-admission cut-off, the dates the museum closes, and the free-entry times worth planning around.
Picasso Museum Opening Hours at a Glance
| Period | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (late Sep–late Mar) | Tuesday–Sunday | 10:00am–7:00pm |
| Summer (late Mar–late Sep) | Tue, Wed, Sun | 9:00am–8:00pm |
| Summer (late Mar–late Sep) | Thu, Fri, Sat | 9:00am–9:00pm |
| All year | Monday | Closed |
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Seasonal switch-over dates shift slightly each year, so confirm your date on the official site before travelling.
Winter vs Summer Hours
In the winter season (roughly late September to late March), the Picasso Museum opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00am–7:00pm. In summer (late March to late September) it opens an hour earlier at 9:00am and stays open later — until 8:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and until 9:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It is closed every Monday in both seasons.
The summer evenings are the useful part of this. Late Thursday-to-Saturday closings let you visit after the daytime tour groups thin out, which is one of the calmest windows all week. In winter, with a 7:00pm close and a 6:30pm last entry, a late-afternoon arrival leaves less room, so mornings work better. For a fuller steer on timing, see our guide to the best time to visit the Picasso Museum.
Last Admission
The ticket office and last entry close 30 minutes before the museum shuts — so about 6:30pm in winter and 7:30pm–8:30pm in summer depending on the day. Since a proper visit to the collection takes at least an hour to 90 minutes, treat last admission as your real deadline rather than the closing time.
Arriving right at last admission means a rushed loop of a collection that rewards a slower pace. Give yourself the time the museum deserves; our guide to how long to spend at the Picasso Museum breaks down a sensible route through the rooms.
When Is the Picasso Museum Closed?
The museum is closed every Monday throughout the year. It also closes on four public holidays: 1 January, 1 May, 24 June (Sant Joan) and 25 December. On 24 and 31 December it opens for a short morning only, roughly 10:00am–2:00pm. Individual galleries occasionally close for installation between temporary exhibitions, so check ahead if there’s a specific show you want to see.
Because Monday closure catches so many visitors out, build your Barcelona itinerary around it — pair a Tuesday-to-Sunday Picasso visit with a Monday spent on attractions that stay open. Our guide to things to do near the Picasso Museum has options within a short walk in El Born.
Free-Entry Times and Hours
Several slots each month are free, but they run to the museum’s schedule and need booking. Entry is free on the first Sunday of every month (all day), on Thursday afternoons from 4:00–7:00pm during the winter season only, and on a few fixed dates including 12 February, 17 May and 24 September. All free slots require an advance online reservation, and under-18s are always free.
These free windows are popular and the timed places go quickly, so reserve as early as you can. Full details of who qualifies and how to book are in our guide to free entry days and discounts; if you’re set on a free slot, our advice on how to avoid crowds is worth reading too, as these are among the busiest times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Picasso Museum open on Mondays?
No. The Picasso Museum is closed every Monday throughout the year — the single most common mistake visitors make. It opens Tuesday to Sunday. If Monday is your only free day in Barcelona, plan other attractions then and save the Picasso Museum for another day. The museum also closes on 1 January, 1 May, 24 June and 25 December.
What time does the Picasso Museum open?
It opens at 10:00am in the winter season (late September to late March) and an hour earlier, at 9:00am, in summer (late March to late September). Opening time is the same across Tuesday to Sunday within each season. Arriving at opening is the best way to see the collection before the day’s tour groups fill the narrow galleries.
What time does the Picasso Museum close?
In winter it closes at 7:00pm. In summer it closes at 8:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, and at 9:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing in every case. On 24 and 31 December the museum opens for a short morning only, around 10:00am to 2:00pm.
What is the last admission time?
Last admission and the ticket office close 30 minutes before the museum shuts — roughly 6:30pm in winter and between 7:30pm and 8:30pm in summer, depending on the day. Because the collection takes at least an hour to 90 minutes to see properly, aim to arrive well before the cut-off rather than at it.
Is the Picasso Museum open in the evening?
Yes, in summer. From late March to late September it stays open until 9:00pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, which is one of the quietest windows of the week once daytime groups have left. In winter the museum closes at 7:00pm, though free Thursday-afternoon slots (4:00–7:00pm) run in the winter season only.
When is the Picasso Museum free to enter?
Entry is free on the first Sunday of each month (all day), on winter-season Thursday afternoons from 4:00–7:00pm, and on set dates including 12 February, 17 May and 24 September. All free slots need an advance online reservation and fill quickly. Under-18s enter free at any time. Our free entry and discounts guide covers the full calendar.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Most visitors see the permanent collection comfortably in an hour to 90 minutes, with more time if the temporary exhibition interests you. The museum is medium-sized and best taken at a steady pace rather than rushed. See our guide on how long to spend at the Picasso Museum for a room-by-room sense of pacing.
Do the opening hours change on public holidays?
Yes. The museum is fully closed on 1 January, 1 May, 24 June and 25 December, and opens for a short morning only (about 10:00am–2:00pm) on 24 and 31 December. Other Spanish and Catalan public holidays generally follow normal Tuesday-to-Sunday hours, but it’s worth confirming on the official site if your visit falls on one.
Where can I check the official current hours?
The museum’s official website publishes the definitive seasonal hours, closures and free-entry calendar, and it’s the place to reserve timed tickets. Because the summer and winter switch-over dates move slightly each year, confirm there before you travel. Our guide to the Picasso Museum official website explains what you’ll find and how to book.
