Name: 46 Museums and Monuments Open Free for La Mercè
Start: 2026-09-23
End: 2026-09-27T23:59:59
Location: Citywide

Question 1

Do I need to book?

Accepted Answer

Almost never. The city lists nearly every venue as free and walk-in. There are two exceptions. The Sagrada Família is free only with a ticket from its draw, and sign-ups closed on September 20 (winners are listed on sagradafamilia.org), so without a winning ticket it is not an option this year. Poble Espanyol is free on Thursday only for Barcelona residents who book first. Places have limited space, so a queue can mean waiting at the door.

Question 2

Which ones are best with kids?

Accepted Answer

CosmoCaixa (the flooded rainforest and the whale learning space), the Natural Sciences Museum (Museu Blau), the Maritime Museum, Montjuïc Castle and the Chocolate Museum are the easy wins, all on Thursday. The firefighters' museum, Espai Bombers, opens free on Wednesday only. On the weekend, the Funeral Carriage Collection has a Playmobil display and a free guided tour at 12pm.

Question 3

Can we do several in one day?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you group them by area. Montjuïc has the Miró Foundation, CaixaForum, the MNAC, the Archaeology Museum, the Ethnology Museum, the Olympic Museum, the castle and two botanical gardens. The Born and Gothic Quarter have the Picasso Museum, the Chocolate Museum, El Born and the History Museum at Plaça del Rei, all a few minutes' walk apart.

Question 4

What closes early on Thursday?

Accepted Answer

El Call, Via Sepulcral, Vil·la Joana and the Photo Archive close at 2pm. The Archaeology Museum and the Olympic Museum close at 2:30pm, and the Chocolate Museum lets in its last visitors at 2:30pm. The MNAC closes at 3pm and Pedralbes Monastery at 5pm. Plan mornings for these and afternoons for places open until 8pm.

46 Museums and Monuments Open Free for La Mercè

46 Museums and Monuments Open Free for La Mercè

What you need to know

About

Schedule

Related events from La Mercè Weekend: Seaside Games, Acrobats and a Fire Run for Kids

No School Thursday: Your La Mercè Day with Kids

Where it is

Resources

Common questions

What else is on this weekend