For centuries Figueres was a sleepy town up the coast from Barcelona.
Then it gave birth to Salvador Dalì.
The most revolutionary artist of the 20th century changed the town, the city, and eventually the world. While there is no Dalì museum in Barcelona proper, it doesn’t stop 3,700 tourists a day from taking a day trip to the museum bearing his namesake: the Dalì Museum Figueres.
And it’s easier than you think.
The Dalí Theatre and Museum
Imagine attending a theatre as a young boy, later showing your first art exhibition there, converting the theatre into your own museum in 1974, and finally being buried in a crypt under the stage.
That was the force that was Salvador Dalí.
The theatre turned museum that you’ll visit was actually destroyed by fire during the Spanish Civil War. It was then that Dalí chose to house the largest collection of his works there saying:
“I want my museum to be a single block, a great surrealist object where the people who come to see it will leave with the sensation of having had a theatrical dream“.
It’s now the largest surrealist object in the world.
What’s Inside
Dalí himself was involved in its construction, converting every detail of the museum into a work of art.
The building facade, patio, rooms, stairs and furniture all recall surrealist Dalì – look for the face of Mae West in his anamorphic living room installation.
Among the works of art housed by the Dalì Museum Figueres are work spanning every decade:
- Port Alguer (1924).
- The Spectre of Sex-Appeal (1932).
- Portrait of Gala with Two Chops Balanced on Her Shoulder (1933).
- Soft Self-Portrait with Grilled Bacon (1941).
- Galarina (1944-45).
- The Basket of Bread (1945).
- Galatea of the Spheres (1952).
You’ll also get mechanical devices, sculptures, optical illusions, nude figurines, three-dimensional collages, and an installation inside an automobile inspired by Rainy Taxi.
It’s a fascinating museum much appreciated by visitors who have made the Dalì Theatre Museum Figueres the second most visited museum in Spain after the Prado in Madrid.
Buying Tickets for the Dali Museum
Entrance + Bus Package Discounts
The best deal to get to the Dalì Museum is getting an all-inclusive ticket from Ticketbar.
This eliminates the hassle of buying bus/train tickets and waiting in line at the museum. All you’ll have to do is print out the vouchers, show up, and let them take care of the rest.
The tour includes a return ticket to the museum from Barcelona (Estació del Nord) plus museum entrance. The cost of the ticket is €46.00 for adults and €31.00 for children eight and under.
This price is very convenient since booking the tickets + bus separately would cost €54.00 a head (€8.00 more per person).
For more info on Salvador Dalì museum tickets from Ticketbar click the blue button below:
Schedule until July 8th, 2018: the bus leaves at 8:35 am from Estació del Nord and arrives at the museum at 13:40. You Figueres at 17:35 pm and are back in Barcelona by 8:30 pm.
The entry time itself varies between 11.00 am and 12.00 pm depending on ticket availability – please double check your ticket vouchers to be sure.
Guided Tour of Girona + the Dalì Museum
Thanks to our collaboration with Toursime Barcelona you can take advantage of a real guided tour of Girona, Figueres and the Dalì Museum Figueres.
Girona is the second largest city in Catalonia and is characterized by its Jewish Quarter and a mix of Roman, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles. In Figueres the most important thing to see are its stately homes.
The tour costs €70.20 (children under 8 are free) after the exclusive 10% online discount. The tour includes:
- A real live tour guide in English.
- Your own paper guide.
- Audio-guide.
- Theatre Museum entrance (after skipping the line!).
- Fully equipped/air conditioned tour bus.
- Restaurant and shopping discounts.
Departure is at 8:30 from Plaça Catalunya (in front of the giant shopping center El Corte Ingles). It’s recommended to show up 20 minutes early.
Dalì guided tour dates run on the following dates:
- From March 15 to November 6: daily except Monday.
- From November 7 to March 26 (2017): Tuesday and Saturday.
Regular Admission Prices
All prices do not include transport but include a visit to Dalì’s jewelry collection.
- Adults: €14.00.
- Children: free under 8 years old.
- Groups (25 people or more): €9.00.
Students and seniors are entitled to a €4.00 discount provided they show appropriate documentation.
How to Get to the Dalì Museum From Barcelona
By Train
The train from Barcelona to the Dalì Museum takes between 1 hour and 40 minutes (MD) and 2 hours and 20 minutes (Regional). From the Figueres train station to the Theatre Museum is about a 12 minute walk.
You can check train schedules here by selecting “Barcelona (Todas)” to “Figueres”.
To get this train you’ll need to board at either Estaciò de Sants or Barcelona El Clot-Arago.
One way tickets vary between €11.00 and €16.00 depending on the train. Some can be bought in advance online using the link above, while some can only be bought at the station.
By Bus
To take the bus from Barcelona to the Dalì Museum you’ll need to board it at the Estaciò del Norte, just a stone’s throw from Arc de Triumf metro and Ciutadella Park.
The Sagales-run bus goes 5-6 times daily and takes two and a half hours.
Check the Barcelona-Figueres bus schedule online on the Sagales website. As the bus station is right across the square from the train station it’s about a 12 minute walk to the Salvador Dalì Museum.
Again, since a one way bus ticket to Figueres costs €20.00 it’s a much better deal to get the package ticket offered by Ticketbar above.
By Rental Car
This is a great option if you’re considering a city escape up the majestic Costa Brava. Take highway P7 north out of Barcelona towards La Jonquera and exit at Figueres or Nacional II (Barcelona-França).
The car journey is about 140 km (85 miles). From here just head to the centre of the city or trust your GPS.
The exact address is Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona, Spain.
ETA: an hour and thirty minutes.
Cost: €20.00-€25.00 in gas + car rental price.
For the best car rental prices my readers have had great experiences using Rentalcars.com.
Dalì Museum Hours
When planning your trip to the Dalì Museum from Barcelona it’s important to keep in mind that last admittance is 45 minutes before closing. The exhibition rooms close 15 minutes before the official closing time.
- March, June, and October: from 9:30 to 18:00.
- July and September: from 9:00 to 20:00.
- November and February: from 10:30 to 18:00.
Careful: the Theatre Museum is closed every Monday from October 1st to May 31st (except open holidays March 26th, April 10th and 17th, and May 1st and 8th), December 25th, and January 1st.
Open daily in June, July, August, and September.
For more information consult the official page.
Disabled Access + Restrictions
Unfortunately much of the Dalì Museum Barcelona is difficult for Barcelona travelers with reduced mobility owing to its position on the ruins of an old theater.
The portions of the museum adapt for wheelchair users are: the central courtyard, the stage, the key works of Dalí’s Treasure Room, the under-stage area, and the ground floor with painter’s crypt, drawings, and engravings.
For disabled access head to the Gala Dalí Square by the terrace bars.
In addition the following restrictions apply:
- Flash photography or tripods are not permitted.
- Groups of 25+ must book in advance.
- Backpacks, strollers/prams, and other luggage are not permitted.
- Smoking, eating, and drinking are forbidden.
- The museum reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone.
Dalí Museum Barcelona FAQ
Are there any temporary exhibitions at the Dalí Museum Barcelona?
Yes, there are usually two different ones so you may want to take a look at the temporary exhibitions before buying your tickets.
What exactly is the Dalí Jewels exhibition?
It’s a collection of 39 jewels and the 27 drawings by Dalí that inspired them 1941 to 1970. This collection can be visited independently for a price of €7.00 (€5.00 reduced). It’s included in regular admission.
Is there a bag check?
Yes, there is a free left-luggage area but keep in mind you will not be allowed to check in valuables or fragile objects like computers, passports, money, cameras etc. Leave them at your holiday apartment.
Can I visit the Dalí Theatre Museum at night?
Yes, but only between late July and early September. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday there are English tours that go from 10:30 pm to 1:00 am. Check for more info on night tours here.
If I’m coming from France, how do I get to Figueres?
Take the A9 motorway (Perpignan-La Jonquera) then Nacional II until Figueres.
Salvador Dalì Biography
“I don’t take drugs, I am the drug” – Salvador Dalì
Dalì was born on May 11, 1904 in Figueres, a few months after the death of his older brother (who the artist claimed to be a reincarnation of). He had a troubled relationship with his father, a tough and authoritarian man, which hindered any career progress or training of the child.
Thanks to his mother, Dalì was able to attend the Academy of Fine Arts in Madrid, where he was then expelled after declaring that no one was good enough to teach him anything.
He then moved to Paris where he met Picasso and fell in love with his wife Gala, who willingly participated in the odd public appearances of her husband. During the Second World War he moved with his wife to New York where he met Amanda Leer with whom he had an affair for many years.
After 8 years he decided to return to Catalunya where he died in 1989. He was buried in Figueres, in the Theatre Museum dedicated to him.
Is Custom Advice so Surreal?
If there’s something you still need to know about the Dalì Museum Barcelona make sure you ask me in the comments below – and remember, I’m here to answer any Barcelona holiday question no matter how stupid 😉
Also don’t be afraid to share your museum experiences, the more information the better!
Happy travels 🙂
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