Malaga and Marbella Art Galleries and Museums

The Must-Visit Art Galleries and Museums in Malaga and Marbella

Iberian Escapes pulls back the curtain on the Costa del Sol Cultural Scene.

Historically, Malaga and Marbella have been better known for stunning beaches, top-class restaurants and glittering marinas.

This changed in a big way in 20O3, when the Picasso Museum opened in Malaga - the birth city of the artist. Since then, Malaga has forged ahead with a string of privately owned galleries and much improved public museums, reframing the Andalucian city as one of the most vibrant cultural destinations in Spain. A short distance away, In upmarket Marbella, you will find some lesser-known gems and a good number of elite private galleries catering to VIP visitors.

Malaga. The birthplace of Picasso and a beacon of contemporary art

Picasso Museum, Palacio de Buenavista, C. San Agustín, 8, 29015

Start your artistic journey in Malaga at the Picasso Museum, a true homage to one of the 20th century's most celebrated artists. Evocatively situated very near Picasso’s childhood home (the artist moved to Barcelona with his family in his early teens) the white-washed exhibition rooms of this transformed townhouse display Picasso’s early figurative works complemented with his later ‘blue’ and cubist periods, along with his forays into ceramics and pottery. Agreements with other museums across Europe, particularly Barcelona’s own Picasso Museum, result in a lively calendar of temporary exhibitions and key works on loan.

Centre Pompidou Malaga, Pje. del Dr. Carrillo Casaux, s/n, 29016

Spain’s version of the famous avant-garde arts palace in Paris changed the cityscape of Malaga with a strikingly colourful glass cube on the old port. Inside, the agenda of temporary exhibitions runs the full gamut of contemporary visual culture. Exhibitions on iconic fashion designers, masterful furniture designers, photographers, architects and of course artists run alongside a calendar of thought-provoking events and immersive experiences aimed at the contemporary culture buff.

Carmen Thyssen Museum, Plaza Carmen Thyssen, Calle Compañía, 29008

A little-sister version of the famous art palace in Madrid, this gem of a museum is situated in an immaculately restored Baroque-style townhouse dating from the 16th century.

Old Spanish masters are the focus of the collection which, like the Thyssen Museum in Madrid, is part of the massive legacy of Carmen Cervera, the Spanish widow of Baron Thyssen-Bornemisza de Kászo. Highlights of the collection include works by Fortuny, Zuburán and the Catalan modernista painter Ramón Casas.

Colección del Museo Ruso, Edificio de Tabacalera, Av de Sor Teresa Prat, 15, 29003

Yet another satellite museum from an international art institution, the ‘Russian Museum’ displays stunning pieces from Russia’s state collections of Saint Petersburg. Situated in Malaga’s old, 18th-century tobacco factory, the permanent collection includes oddities such as Sputnik memorabilia, along with modern masters including Chagall and Kandinsky.

CAC Málaga, C. Alemania, S/N, 29001

Malaga's Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) is a testament to the city's evolving art scene. Situated in a strikingly modern building that has become a city landmark, CAC Málaga hosts an ever-changing array of contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events. From paintings and sculptures to multimedia installations, with a strong focus on emerging artists from southern Spain, the centre's diverse offerings are aimed at creating social commentary and opening up conversations on our modern world.

Automobile and Fashion Museum, Av de Sor Teresa Prat, 15, 29003

This quirky museum combines two passionate collections, sometimes in the same room! Vintage car enthusiasts will love displays of roaring 1920s automobiles, classic Italian sports cars and rare ‘design cars’ that were deemed too far ahead for their time (and likely too costly) to produce.

Fashionistas will adore the displays of vintage Chanel and Dior, along with more extravagant art creations and stylish millinery. The collections are arranged to create parallels in the design evolution of each discipline - to greater and lesser success.

Marbella. International artists and private collections

Ralli Museum Marbella, Urb.coral Beach, Rio Verde, N-340, km.176, 29602

Part of the network of Ralli Museums around the world, the Ralli Museum Marbella is a little-known treasure dedicated to Latin American art. This museum houses an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and decorative art from renowned Latin American artists covering the styles the continent is famous for, from surrealism to abstraction, and hyper-realism. Entrance is free.

Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, C. Hospital Bazán, s/n, 29601

For something more traditional, the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engraving is a unique museum dedicated to the art of printmaking and engraving. Explore a diverse collection of prints, engravings, and graphic art created by renowned Spanish creatives and artists over the centuries. The museum's enthusiasm to promote and teach this often-overlooked art form ensures a fascinating experience.

Fornara Gallery, Lugar Urbanización Benabola, 6, 29660

Located in the heart of the upmarket Marbella enclave of Puerto Banus, this well-established private gallery is where international art collectors and investors come to see the next big thing. Works are informally put on show, often stacked on the floor, lending the space an ‘art market’ feel. The owners are incredibly knowledgeable and happy to advise you on the latest emerging talent from Spain and abroad.

Bonsai Museum, Parque Arroyo de la Represa, s/n, 29600

Amid Marbella's lush botanical garden, you'll find the Bonsai Museum. While it may not house paintings or sculptures, it offers a genuine form of artistry. Admire the meticulously cultivated bonsai trees, including the largest collection of (miniature) olive trees in Europe. Each one is a living work of art shaped by the hands of skilled practitioners. The serenity of this museum offers a tranquil contrast to the bustling coastal city.

Yusto/Giner Gallery, Pol. Ind. La Ermita, Calle Madera, 9, 29603

For a hip contemporary art experience, this commercial gallery is situated in a lofty warehouse in Marbella’s industrial district. Representing dynamic artists such as Ana Barriga, Isabel Rosado and Yann Leto, the style of work on show (and for sale) visits the schools of pop art, street art and illustration with exuberant Spanish flair.