Looking for a cultural break during your Spanish holiday? Discover the amazing Centre Pompidou Málaga for a good dose of modern and contemporary art!
The Centre Pompidou franchise has decided to establish itself in the heart of Andalusia, in the charming city of Málaga, where Pablo Picasso was born. This museum of modern and contemporary art has nothing to envy its Parisian relative or its cousin in Metz: it’s a must-see establishment on a trip to the Spanish city!
To help you explore this cultural mecca, where Frida Kahlo rubs shoulders with Francis Bacon and Joan Miró, we’ve put together this guide to ensure you don’t miss a thing. We’ve put together this guide to help you make the most of your visit to the Centre Pompidou Málaga. So ¡Vamos!
Center Pompidou Málaga in brief
Photo credit: Shutterstock – LucVi
Initiated in 2014 and inaugurated in 2015 by Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and French Minister of Culture Fleur Pellerin, the Centre Pompidou Málaga is the latest addition to the Pompidou Centres! And in 2018, the contract linking Beaubourg and Málaga was renewed until 2025. The Centre Pompidou Málaga is part of the drive to expand the Centre Pompidou franchise in Europe (and then internationally!). It is also a way of promoting Málaga as a city of reference for a new cultural age.
When visiting Málaga, you won’t want to miss this colorful, cubic building. The building, designed by architects Javier Pérez and Juan Antonia Marin Malavé, has earned it the nickname « El Cubo« . Inside El Cubo, you’ll find numerous works of modern and contemporary art, mainly spread over two floors.
Our tips for your visit to the Centre Pompidou Málaga
Photo credit: Shutterstock – LauraVl
Tempted by a visit to this branch of the Centre Pompidou? The museum covers some 2,000 m², so you’ll have plenty to see to satisfy this aesthetic experience. We’ve provided some information and recommendations to help you make the most of your experience.
Best time to visit Centre Pompidou Málaga
We advise you to visit the Centre Pompidou Málaga in the morning, to avoid the flood of visitors in the afternoon, especially during the high season! Indeed, many visitors come to discover the Centre Pompidou Málaga during the summer months.
How long does a visit to the Centre Pompidou Málaga last?
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Allow between 1 and 2 hours to tour the museum on your own and admire each of the works. You can also opt for an audio-guided tour, which lasts around 2 hours. Afterwards, take the time to wander around the museum grounds to extend the experience.
Practical information
- Photos (without flash) are permitted inside the museum;
- The Centre Pompidou Málaga is accessible to people with reduced mobility, with ramps, elevators and other adapted access. A wheelchair assistance service is also available;
- Other services available in the museum include a cafeteria (though closed in covid times), a locker service for your belongings, and a nursing room.
What to do when you visit the Centre Pompidou Málaga?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – LucVi
Divided into two floors, the El Cubo museum’s nerve center showcases works by major artists in the fields of modern and contemporary art. Let your instincts (or your audioguide) guide you as you admire the work of these great names of the 20th and 21st centuries!
Take the time to learn more about the story behind each work, whether sculpture, painting or installation.
The permanent collection
The latter houses over 80 works by artists who left their mark on their generation. The Centre Pompidou Málaga’s permanent collection includes works by Málaga-born Pablo Picasso, Frenchman René Magritte, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, British artist Francis Bacon and Italian artist Alberto Giacometti. A number of Spanish artists are also featured, including Barcelona-born Joan Miró.
A number of major themes are featured, including metamorphosis, the body, self-portraiture and the faceless man. Each theme is addressed through a different artistic process, such as painting, drawing or photography.
You’ll have the chance to delve into each artist’s universe, and understand their influences. You may even notice some stylistic similarities between certain works of art!
Temporary exhibitions
Julio González’s dreamlike iron statues, or 20th-century Spanish art… Let Centre Pompidou Málaga surprise you with its temporary exhibitions. These change with the seasons, and you can keep up to date with the latest news by visiting the center’s website.
Recently, the Centre Pompidou Málaga showcased innovative, interactive artistic interventions to celebrate a different way of consuming art.
A trip to the boutique!
Would you like to keep a souvenir of your visit? Bring back a special gift for your loved ones? A gift store is available for shopping related to the works and themes featured in the museum.
How much does a ticket to the Centre Pompidou Málaga cost?
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Tickets for the Centre Pompidou Málaga usually depend on the purpose of your visit:
- Combined visit (permanent collection and temporary exhibition): €9 for full price, €5. 50 for reduced price;
- Permanent collection: €7 full price, €4 reduced price;
- Temporary exhibition: €4 full price, €2.50 concessions.
If you’re coming with a group, you can also opt for a group tour.
- 7 €: price for a visit without a guide ;
- 10.50 €: rate for a guided group tour ;
- 65 €: price for a private guided group visit (museum closed).
Reduced rates apply to over-65s, students up to 26, and large families. The museum is free for the unemployed, under-18s, Euro-youth card holders, disabled visitors (with accreditation) and the general public on Sundays from 4pm to closing time.
Admission is also free at three events:
- La Noche en Blanco (a Saturday in May, variable);
- Día Internacional de los Museos (May 18) ;
- Día Internacional del Turismo (September 27).
You can book your tickets online or directly at the box office!
Are there guided tours of the Centre Pompidou Málaga?
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Petr Pavlica
You can choose a tour with a free audioguide available in French. We also offer themed and interactive guided tours on an ad hoc basis.
Are there combined tours with other monuments in Málaga?
You can opt for the Málaga Pass to combine your visit to the Centre Pompidou Málaga with other museums. The list of museums includes the Jorge Rando Museum, the Picasso Museum and Foundation, the Málaga City Museum and the National Air Transport Museum.
The list is even longer, so check out the Pass website to discover all the institutions accessible via the Pass!
Opening hours
You can visit the Centre Pompidou Málaga from 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday to Monday. You can arrive up to 30 minutes before closing time.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. On December 24 and 31, the Centre Pompidou Málaga is open until 3:00 pm.
How to get to the Centre Pompidou Málaga?
The Centre Pompidou Málaga is located close to the city’s port, between pontoons 1 and 2. This makes it particularly central, with a charming view over the bay. So don’t hesitate to walk to the Centre Pompidou Málaga, especially if you’re staying in the city center.
You can also reach the cultural center by bus, as many local lines serve the area: 1, 3, 4, 11, 14, 19, 25, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 92 (tourist bus), A (airport), C1 and C2.
Where can I park near the Centre Pompidou Málaga?
If you have a car, then use the Muelle Uno parking lot located near the Centre Pompidou Málaga. It costs around €2.20 for an hour, and is open 24 hours a day.
Where to stay near Centre Pompidou Málaga?
Thanks to its ideal location on the Bay of Málaga, you’ll have a plethora of accommodation to choose from in the vicinity of the Centre Pompidou Málaga. In fact, you can find hotels and Airbnb in the Distrito Centro neighborhoods, or close to Malagueta beach.
To find the accommodation that’s right for you, don’t hesitate to use our hotel comparator, which will suggest the offer best suited to your needs.
You now have all the information you need to make the most of the Centre Pompidou Málaga… Enjoy your visit!