
Updated Jun 01 2023
The Museu Frederic Marès is a museum named after its founder, an artist who collected a huge number of works of art and objects of all kinds, throughout his long life – he lived to the age of 97. The museum, as well as its collection, now belongs to Barcelona’s City Council, as it was donated by Frederic Marès in 1946.
All about the Frederic Marès Museum
The museum can be found in the Gothic Quarter, and comprises of a few historic buildings that formed part of the Palau Reial Major (the Grand Royal Palace), a medieval palace that was inhabited by illustrious owners such as the Counts of Barcelona and the kings of the Catalan-Aragonese Crown. Another element that gives the Museu Frederic Marès an extra charm and makes it well worth a visit is the entrance to the building itself, as it is accessed through the gardens in which you can enjoy some peace and quiet from the hustle and bustle of the area, whilst perhaps relaxing with a drink on the terrace.
The permanent collection of Frederic Marès Museum
In many ways it’s one of the most curious museums of Barcelona, because it houses wonderful pieces of Romanesque Catalan art, as well as thousands of everyday objects that Frederic Marès collected: fans, scissors, wrenches, pipes and clocks amongst other things – the list is endless! These things alone might not usually be of great interest, but as a whole, the museum really is unmatched in the city, as it shows to what extent Frederic Marès became almost obsessed with his love for collecting.
As you will see, the museum is relatively large as there are so many items to exhibit. If you find that you can’t spend enough time there and would like to return, you can gain a re-entry pass from the receptionists, which means that you can return for free any time within the next 6 months.
Temporary Exhibitions of Frederic Marès Museum
Temporary exhibitions focusing on all sorts of styles of art are often organised in an adjoining room near the museum’s entrance. Many of them come highly recommended, so if you’re near the museum it’s well worth popping in and asking what exhibitions are on at the time of your visit.
Photo gallery
Map
Address
Plaça (square) de Sant Iu 5, Barcelona.
Opening hours
Tuesday to Saturday: from 10:00 until 19:00.
Sundays and public holidays: from 11:00 until 20:00.
Closed: Mondays (except public holidays), 1st January, 1st May, 24th June and 25th December.
Entry cost
General admission: 4.20€.
Concessions: 2.40€. This is for young people aged 16-29, senior citizens aged over 65, unemployed people, retired people, families with a ‘familia numerosa’ (large family) card, single parents and holders of a Barcelona Library Card.
Free entry: under-16s at all times. The museum is free to everyone on the first Sunday of the month (all day) and from 15:00 to 20:00 every Sunday.
How to get there
Metro: Jaume I (line 4) is the nearest stop, and Liceu (line 3) is also nearby.
Bus: linee 45, 120, V15, V17 and tourist bus.
Luoghi di interesse nelle vicinanze
Barcelona Cathedral
La Rambla main street
Plaça del Rei (King’s square in Barcelona)
Plaça Sant Jaume (square)
Plaça Sant Felip Neri (square)