For many years Malaga has been just the name of the airport people flew into before starting their Costa del Sol holiday.
Famous for being the birthplace of Picasso and home to both a Roman theatre and a Moorish fortress, Malaga knew that despite the attractions it already had it needed to do more if it wanted to bring tourists to the city.
Forward-thinking mayor Francisco de la Torre came up with a brilliant vision to revitalize the city’s down at heel port and turn it into an upmarket shopping and dining centre with the added bonus of a world-class art museum.
Reflecting the premise of Muelle Uno (Quay One) being ultra-modern, Malaga approached the Pompidou Centre in Paris and asked them if they would like to open a branch in Malaga.
After having agreed to terms, the Pompidou Centre decided to take a chance on Malaga and open their first museum outside of France.
Visitors enter the museum through a giant multi-coloured glass cube before being taken on a tour of some of the finest 20 and 21st-century art.
In the museum’s permanent collection of over 80 paintings, you will find works by well-known artists such as Picasso, Frida Khalo, Giacometti, Miró and Francis Bacon.
The designers of the Malaga Pompidou Centre also set aside a giant hall for temporary exhibitions that focus on individual artists.
Currently (2019) , the focus is on French artist Henri Matisse explaining how his painting style developed by incorporating the use of bold colours and thick brush strokes. You also have the opportunity to see some of his less familiar sculptures.
In order to fully understand the artwork and what the artist was trying to portray, you need to either go on a guided tour or at least use an audio guide.
Unlike many museums, the Malaga Pompidou Centre knows that museums are popular activities with families so in order to make it more interesting for children have produced a separate audio guide just for them.
The Malaga Pompidou Centre also has a cafeteria where you can get something to eat and a shop selling items that reflect the museum and its art.
Opening Times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9:30 – 20:00 (including holidays)
Closed every Tuesday and on Christmas Day and January 1st.
Public admission is allowed up to 30 minutes before the museum closes.
Admission: General admission costs 9.00€ with an additional 4.00€ if you want to visit the temporary exhibition.
Reduced Admission: 5.50€ and 2.50€
The reduced entrance applies to people over 65 years old, students up to 26 years old.
Free Admission: Admission will be free for the unemployed, under 18, holders of the euro young card, teachers and university students of Fine Arts and Art History, employees of museums and ICOM members, disabled people (with accreditation) and for all the public. Sundays from 4:00 p.m. until closing time.
Address: Centre Pompidou Málaga, Pasaje Doctor Carrillo Casaux, s/n
Muelle Uno, Puerto de Málaga.
Email: info.centrepompidou@malaga.eu
