Discover the genius of Pablo Picasso in the museum dedicated to him Malaga, his hometown. A first-rate museum, an unmissable stop for all art lovers and anyone who wants to know more about an artist who with his unmistakable style and innovative techniques has forever changed the history of modern art.
Il Picasso Museum in Malaga (MPM) was inaugurated in 2003 in the presence of the kings of Spain after 50 years of design and planning. Before he died, the artist himself expressed the desire for a museum dedicated to him in his hometown.
A visit to the MPM is a unique opportunity to learn about the life and works of Pablo Picasso, an eclectic artist who has tried his hand in the most diverse artistic fields: exhibited at the museum you will not only find paintings but also ceramics, illustrations, sculptures, engravings and drawings that trace the Picasso's prolific career from his beginnings to his death and highlight his revolutionary significance.
What to see at the Picasso Museum in Malaga
The Picasso Museum Malaga houses a permanent collection and a series of temporary exhibitions.
Permanent collection
The original core of the MPM permanent collection consists of a series of works donated by Christine Ruiz-Picasso (wife of Paul, Picasso's eldest son) and da Bernard Ruiz-Picasso (his nephew).
It currently has more than 200 works: you can see the first academic studies of the great painter, the first neoclassical figures, the famous cubist works with overlapping perspectives, the creative experiments with ceramics, the modern remakes of the great masters of the past and the works of maturity achieved in the seventies.
Ironically, the two artistic periods of Picasso not represented in this museum are precisely those best known to the general public, namely the blue period and the pink period.
Among the highlights of the collection we can point out a painting made by the painter at the age of 13 in which his sister is portrayed, a series of works of maturity dedicated to the theme of the musketeers and original sculptures made of clay, metal sheets and plaster .
Temporary exhibitions
The MPM museum organizes regularly temporary exhibitions who investigate aspects directly linked to the life and works of Picasso or which in some way influenced him or to contemporary artists who carry out his work of innovative research.
The quality of the temporary exhibitions is recognized as very high: inquire about the current exhibition during the period of your visit.
Architecture
The Picasso Museum Malaga is housed inside the Buenavista Palace, a historic building whose origins date back to the sixteenth century.
It is a magnificent example of typical Andalusian architecture, with its distinctive blend of Renaissance elements and Mudejar style decorations.
In 1939 it was declared a national monument and in 2006 it won an honorary award from the American Institute of Architects for its excellent restoration and expansion work, which expanded the size and functionality of the building without altering its original features and beauty.
The foundations of the museum house important remains of the Phoenician, Roman and Moorish civilizations: precious evidence of the millenary history of Malaga and of the peoples who have dominated it over the centuries. The archaeological site is open to the public.
Entrance tickets to the Picasso Museum in Malaga
To visit the Picasso Museum you can choose between three different ones Tickets: admission to the permanent collection, admission to temporary exhibitions, combined ticket for permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. In addition to the type of ticket, you can choose whether to take part in a guided tour: we recommend it if you want to fully appreciate the works of the Museum.
Skip-the-line ticket to the Picasso Museum in Malaga
Tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices up to 30 minutes before closing or online. This second option allows you to skip the queues at the ticket offices and is particularly recommended for those traveling in high season and for those planning to visit the museum at peak times.
The ticket price includes the audio guide in 10 languages for the permanent collection and 2 for the temporary exhibitions (English and Spanish).
Ticket + guided tour of the Picasso Museum
Free guided tours
The Picasso Museum offers a number of free guided tours for individual visitors. They take place with a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 25 participants. Tours in English and Spanish are available.
The free weekly tours currently offered by the museum are:
- Know the collection: a guided tour of the permanent collection led by a member of the MPM staff, with stops at the most significant works. Tour in English on Wednesdays at 12pm, in Spanish on Saturdays at 00pm.
- Gallery Talks: guided tour of the temporary exhibition. Only available in Spanish, Saturday 12 noon.
- From palace to museum: a tour that traces 2000 years of history of the city of Malaga through the architecture of the building that houses the museum. Available in English only, Tuesdays 17pm.
To participate in the free tours it is necessary to register at the reception of the museum at least one hour before the start of the tour.
Tours can be canceled on the occasion of events or for organizational needs of the museum; in addition, timetables and themes may vary over time.
It is possible to book guided tours for small groups for a fee, choosing from themed tours of different lengths.
Some private tours allow you to visit the museum outside the opening hours, an extraordinary opportunity to enjoy the works of art without the crowds of tourists, or of go up to the panoramic terrace overlooking the city, usually closed to the public.
Opening hours
The MPM is open 7 days a week, opening at 7:10. The closing time varies according to the season, between 00:18 and 00:20.
The museum is closed only on Christmas days, January 1st and January 6th. It operates reduced hours on 24 and 31 December and 5 January.
Ladmission is free (without audio guide) on the following dates:
- Day of Andalusia, February 28
- International Museum Day, May 18th
- World Tourism Day, 27 September
- every Sunday in the last two hours of opening
Services
The Picasso museum is equipped with all essential services. Inside you will find a library, a café, a book and souvenir shop and a cloakroom.
How to get to the Picasso Museum in Malaga
The Picasso Museum Malaga is located in the city center, within easy reach of other major tourist attractions such as the Cathedral, the Alcazaba and the Roman Theater.
Le bus stops The closest are in Paseo del Parque, near the town hall, and in Plaza de la Merced: both are just a few minutes' walk from the museum.
If you arrive by car, the most convenient public car parks are those in Plaza de la Marina and near the Alcazaba.
