Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art

The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) is a museum of post-1945 and contemporary art located in the El Raval neighbourhood of central Barcelona. The institution presents rotating exhibitions, a permanent contemporary collection and public programmes.

MACBA’s Richard Meier-designed building, opened in 1995, contains exhibition spaces for temporary shows and displays from the museum’s collection focusing on late 20th- and 21st-century art. The museum runs regular talks, film screenings and educational activities alongside exhibitions.

Conceived in the late 20th century to create a contemporary art centre in Barcelona, the museum opened in 1995 and has since become a significant venue for contemporary Spanish and international art. The building and plaza are now established features of the Raval cultural landscape.

MACBA sits at Plaça dels Àngels in El Raval, within walking distance of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and central transport hubs.

• Opening and location: The building opened in 1995 to provide a dedicated contemporary art space in Barcelona and is located at Plaça dels Àngels in El Raval.
• Plaza use: The museum plaza outside the entrance is a well-known local skateboarding spot and an active public space frequently used by visitors before and after exhibitions.

What to See #

• Main building and plaza: The museum occupies a distinctive white Richard Meier-designed building in the Raval district and focuses on post-1945 art and contemporary practice.
• Exhibition spaces and programmes: Galleries are arranged to host temporary exhibitions, a permanent collection of contemporary works, and a programme of films, talks and educational events.