Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of modern art – let’s get that disclaimer out of the way.
So it’s perhaps surprising, I found myself at the Center Pompidou in Malaga, on a winter Saturday afternoon.
Having walked past so many times, and wondering what treasures lie inside, I finally caved in and went to check it out with my family.
The centre is hard to miss – it lies hidden under the colourful cube at the start of Muelle Uno. The art centre is an extension of its more well-known sister Center Pompidou in Paris and was originally planned as a temporary structure to hold exhibitions of modern art.
The museum is located underground, with no natural light peeking through, apart from the central courtyard under the colourful cube. It feels a bit like entering a dark dungeon.
It has a very minimalist modern design, with large exhibition rooms inside, and an exit through a gift shop. It feels very modern and somewhat unwelcoming.
They are currently holding exhibitions of Spanish modern art, ‘from Miro to Barcelo’ until the end of February, which also contains works by Picasso. All of the planned exhibitions are displayed on their homepage.
I’m not an expert on modern art, so won’t be commenting on the artworks displayed – best if you visit and judge yourself.
Having visited the Picasso museum previously, this exhibition centre felt really life-less and almost empty in comparison. Both of these have the same entrance fees, but I felt like the Picasso museum had a lot more to offer.
The art centre is not big by any means, just a handful of large rooms, and it made me feel like it was half empty – perhaps that was the way to make the artwork stand out. Needless to say, we were out in less than half an hour, being most impressed by the selection of books and gift items in their gift shop.
If you want to test it out and see for yourself, they have free entrance every Sunday, see details below.
Centre Pompidou in Malaga: Visitor Information
Entrance fees: 9 euro for a combined ticket, individual tickets for exhibitions are also available. Free entrance for the general public every Sunday from 4 pm until closing time. You can buy your tickets online on their website.
Location: Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, s/n, Malaga (start of Muelle Uno)
Opening hours: every day except Tuesday, from 9.30 am to 8 pm.
Visitor guidelines: it’s not allowed to enter with food, sharp objects (umbrellas) or big backpacks. There are lockers available for visitors. No entry with animals. Photography is allowed.
Malaga Recommended Tours & Experiences
- Alcazaba and Roman Theatre Guided Tour With Entry – enjoy a guided visit to Malaga’s most important monuments – skip the line tickets with a tour guide in English.
- 3-Hour Complete Walking Tour of Malaga with Tickets – see everything the city has to offer in this guided walking tour covering the highlights of Malaga city, with entrance tickets included and a guide in English. Skip the line tickets included: Malaga cathedral, Alcazaba and Roman Theater.
- Entrance to Picasso Museum with Audio Guide – you can’t leave Malaga without visiting a museum dedicated to its most famous artist! The museum hosts around 200 works of Picasso, along with additional temporary exhibitions.
- Flamenco Show at Tablao AlegrÃa – enjoy an authentic Flamenco performance in one of the local restaurants in Malaga. Entry ticket included in price, no food or drinks.
- Caminito del Rey Guided Tour with Malaga pick up – enjoy a guided walk on the most spectacular natural sight in Malaga, the ‘King’s Pathway’ offering breathtaking views of the El Chorro gorge. Includes pick up from Malaga, expert guide, safety helmets and entrance to Caminito del Rey. An unforgettable experience!
- Sunset Catamaran Trip with a Glass of Cava Included – enjoy beautiful views of the Malaga coastline on board of a luxury catamaran, and watch the sunset while sipping on the complimentary glass of cava. Departures from Malaga port.
- Private Full-Day Bus Trip to Ronda and Setenil with Malaga pick up – marvel at the beauty of Ronda, an ancient city with one of the oldest bullrings in the country, loved by writers like Hemingway. Enjoy the views from the famous Puente Nuevo bridge and take a stroll around the city. Visit the famous village carved into rocks at Setenil, and enjoy a drink under the rocks hanging over the streets.
- Granada Full-Day Trip with Alhambra – it would be a shame to leave Andalusia without seeing the most important sight of all – the ancient palace complex of Alhambra. With this tour, you will get a pick-up from Malaga, full-day tour of Granada with tickets to Alhambra included.
More Places to Explore in Malaga
The Glamorous Gran Hotel Palacio Miramar, Malaga
Dining at Muelle Uno: Cambara Restaurant, Malaga
Castillo de Gibralfaro, Malaga
Hotel Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro
Where is Malaga? All Your Questions Answered
La Conception Botanical Gardens in Malaga
What to do in Malaga? Guide by a Local Expat
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