Contemporary realism in a palace of El Born

MEAM Barcelona: Tickets, Hours, and Visit

The MEAM, European Museum of Modern Art, is one of the most surprising museums in Barcelona. Housed in the Palau Gomis, an 18th-century palace in the Born district, it primarily showcases contemporary figurative art: paintings, sculptures, portraits, bodies, realistic scenes, and works by living artists.

Contemporary figurative art in Palau Gomis, at the heart of El Born.

  • Figurative art
  • Palau Gomis
  • Painting & sculpture
  • Live concerts
A room with gilded moldings and a painted ceiling, a marble checkerboard floor, where large contemporary portraits are hung

MEAM Tickets

MEAM Ticket and Barcelona Card

The Tiqets entry ticket grants access to the MEAM exhibitions. The Barcelona Card does not include free entry, but it currently offers a 50% discount at the museum and includes public transportation.

Barcelona Card

Museum and transport pass

Barcelona Card

50% off at MEAM + transport

The Barcelona Card does not include free entry to the MEAM, but it currently offers a 50% discount at the museum and allows you to use public transportation for the duration of the card's validity.

From €39.00
  • 50% off at MEAM
  • Unlimited public transport
  • Many museums included
  • Valid for 3, 4, or 5 days

At a Glance

The MEAM at a Glance

Full Name

European Museum of Modern Art

Neighborhood

El Born

Building

Palau Gomis

Type of place

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Figurative Art

Visit Duration

Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours

Style

Contemporary realism, figurative art, painting, sculpture

Must-See Attractions

The exhibition halls, the figurative works, the palace decor, the concerts

Atmosphere

More intimate than a large museum, with a striking contrast between contemporary art and an ancient palace

Official Website

meam.es

Good to Know

The MEAM also hosts concerts, including blues and classical music series.

Editor's Review
A
Alejandro
Tour Guide · Barcelona

The MEAM is a great visit if you enjoy contemporary art but are less drawn to abstraction or conceptual installations. Here, the works are often immediately understandable: faces, bodies, textures, emotions, gestures, light, technical virtuosity.

Tip: If your schedule allows, try to combine your visit with a concert. The MEAM is known for its musical events, especially Friday Blues and Saturday Classics.

Not to be missed

What to See at the MEAM Barcelona?

A wooden sculpture of a man's torso in the center of a room with a red floor, surrounded by large figurative paintings

The Exhibition Halls

Contemporary figurative painting and sculpture, with a strong emphasis on realism, the body, portraiture, and technique.

Figurative stone and marble sculptures arranged in the vaulted hall of the Palau Gomis

© Alzinous / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Hall and Its Sculptures

The tour typically alternates between the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, featuring a rich array of works by living artists.

A room with gilded moldings and a painted ceiling, marble checkerboard floor, where large contemporary portraits are displayed

The Palau Gomis

The contrast between an 18th-century palace and contemporary figurative art gives the museum a very unique atmosphere.

An open grand piano in a dimly lit room with stucco-adorned walls, in front of a marble sculpture

Concerts at the MEAM

Friday Blues and Saturday Classics extend the visit in a heritage setting.

Practical Information

Opening Hours of MEAM Barcelona

The MEAM is generally open:

  • Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Monday: closed

Hours may vary depending on exhibitions, concerts, or certain special days. The museum is also closed on January 1st, December 25th, and 26th.

Museum Deal

The MEAM with the Picasso Museum

The MEAM pairs perfectly with the Picasso Museum, located nearby in the Born. The two visits offer very different experiences: Picasso tells the story of a genius's development and his connection to Barcelona, while the MEAM offers a more contemporary, figurative, and technical approach to art.

Museums & Culture

Other museums to explore in El Born

After the MEAM, continue with the Picasso Museum, the Moco Museum, or Foto Colectania.

Three nearby visits to extend a cultural half-day in the Born.

FAQ

FAQ, MEAM Barcelona

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