Three decades of contemporary art in the heart of El Raval. MACBA is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special exhibition that retraces its collection and its relationship with Barcelona. Want to discover it? Hola Barcelona takes you there!
The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) celebrates in 2025 three decades as one of the city’s leading spaces for modern and contemporary art. Since its opening in 1995, the museum has become a meeting point for artists, locals, and visitors seeking a critical and open perspective on contemporary creation.
An exhibition to relive three decades of art
To mark its 30th anniversary, MACBA is presenting a major exhibition that invites visitors to rediscover its most emblematic works. Under the title “30 Years of the MACBA Collection”, the show explores key moments in 20th- and 21st-century art, highlighting the diversity of techniques, languages, and perspectives that have shaped the museum’s history.
Painting, photography, video, installation, and performance coexist in a journey that reinforces Barcelona’s role as an open, creative, and culturally vibrant city. The exhibition also brings iconic works into dialogue with recent acquisitions, reflecting the social and artistic changes of the last decades.
MACBA and El Raval: where art meets urban life
Located in the heart of the Raval district, MACBA is more than just a museum: it is a symbol of urban transformation and a space where art, history, and daily life blend together.
Its bright white building, designed by American architect Richard Meier, has become an icon of Barcelona’s contemporary architecture and a gathering spot for young people, creators, and curious visitors from all over the world.
Walking around the museum is also a cultural experience: its surrounding streets are full of galleries, workshops, and cafés that embody the creative and diverse spirit of El Raval.
A dynamic and participatory programme
MACBA is not only celebrating 30 years of history but also reaffirming its mission as an open, participatory cultural space. Throughout the year, the museum offers talks, workshops, family activities, and artist encounters designed to bring contemporary art closer to all audiences.
There will also be special guided tours dedicated to exploring the evolution of the collection and the museum’s impact on Barcelona’s cultural life.
How to get there
MACBA is located at Carrer de Montalegre, 5, just a short walk from Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla.
You can easily reach it by metro (L1 or L2 – Universitat; L3 – Catalunya or Liceu) or by urban bus.
With the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, you can move comfortably around the entire city using public transport and take advantage of your visit to explore other nearby cultural spaces, such as the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) or the Boqueria Market.
This year, celebrate 30 years of MACBA and let yourself be inspired by the contemporary art that has shaped a city and an era. Hola Barcelona takes you there!
