Museo Casa Natal de Picasso

Located on Plaza de la Merced, the museum preserves the apartment where Picasso spent his early childhood, displaying family memorabilia, early sketches, and ceramics, distinct from the larger Museo Picasso Málaga collection elsewhere in the city.

Planning your visit

Picasso was born in this building on Plaza de la Merced in 1881 and lived here until he was ten. The museum occupies the family apartment, preserved with period furnishings, alongside further floors of exhibition space, and it is a modest and personal counterpart to the much larger Museo Picasso Málaga a few streets away.

The holdings are family material rather than major works: photographs, letters, his father's paintings — José Ruiz Blasco was himself an artist and drawing teacher — early sketches, illustrated books, ceramics and personal effects. The father's role matters to the story, since he taught the boy and, according to the legend Picasso encouraged, gave up painting when he realised his son had surpassed him.

Confusing the two Málaga Picasso museums is common; this one is the birthplace, small and biographical, while the other holds the substantial collection.

The square outside has a Picasso sculpture and is a pleasant place to sit.

Bookable options include entrance tickets and guided tours. Current availability is shown below.