Maricel Museum (Museu de Maricel)
Carrer de Fonollar , Sitges, Barcelona, Catalonia, 08870
One of Sitges’ most spectacular museums, the Maricel Museum (Museu de Maricel) houses more than 1,000 years of Catalan art on the Mediterranean waterfront. While you won’t find any bold-face global names here, the hall of neoclassical sculptures—arranged against arches that frame the ocean—is alone worth the price of admission.
The basics
The museum is part of the Maricel complex, commissioned by the American philanthropist and art collector Charles Deering. The architecture, created by engineer and artist Miquel Utrillo, is mainly an expression of the Catalan creative movement known as Noucentisme; like the Maricel Palace, which sits beside it, it features glorious colonnades and spectacular crenellations.
Because Deering’s art collection was scattered to the winds, the pieces on display were largely bequeathed by a local collector. Besides the sculptures, highlights include some charming medieval altarpieces and a modern art gallery with works by Maurice Utrillo, Ramon Casas, and Santiago Rusiñol.
Things to know before you go
- There’s a significant charge to enter the Maricel Museum but children go free.
- Sitges offers bundled tickets for its art museums, which can help you save on admission to Maricel Museum, Maricel Palace, the Cau Ferrat Museum, and more.
- The museum has signage in three languages: Catalan, Spanish, and English.
- The museum is accessible for travelers who use wheelchairs, with adapted elevators and wheelchair-friendly bathrooms.
How to get there
The Maricel Museum sits on the waterfront in the heart of Sitges, a seaside village around 25 miles (40 kilometers) southwest of Barcelona. Trains from Barcelona’s Estació de França, Passeig de Gràcia, and Barcelona Sants stations run to Sitges station, about a 0.5-mile (800-meter) walk north of the museum.
When to get there
The Maricel Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Hours vary seasonally, so check the official website for opening times before your visit. Sitges is an extremely popular weekend getaway—plan to visit midweek to avoid the crowds.
Sitges’ art museums
Sitges was a retreat for artists—and, subsequently, art lovers—from as early as the 19th century. While it’s better known for its LGBTQ scene today, its cultural heritage shines through in its museums. Fundació Stämpfli features one of the most important collections of contemporary art in Catalonia, whereas the Cau Ferrat Museum centers on the collection of artist Santiago Rusiñol.
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