A Guide to the Pompidou Centre
The Pompidou Centre in Malaga opened its doors in April 2015 and at the time was the first Pompidou ‘branch’ outside France. Since then, the museum has gained a reputation for cutting-edge art in its permanent collection and thought-provoking temporary exhibitions. This together with its iconic multi-coloured glass cube has made it one of the best art museums in Malaga and southern Spain.
In mid-2025, the Pompidou Centre renewed its permanent collection again. To Open Eyes; an artist’s gaze will be on display until 31 January 2027 giving visitors to Malaga the chance to see work from some of the finest 20th and 21st century artists.
In this guide to the Pompidou Centre in Malaga we offer an insight on what to see at the museum plus essential practical information.
What’s on display at the Pompidou Centre in Malaga
The latest exhibition reflects on how artists encourage to look again at what we see and to change our relationship with art, society and the world with live in. The exhibition is divided into six sections, organised thematically rather than chronologically.
The current exhibition takes its inspiration from the quote by Josef Albers:
“Art teaches us to see and feel life.”
Icons/Signs
This section includes abstract and conceptional works that were revolutionary for their time. Artists from Bauhaus in the first half of the 20th century take centre stage, with their minimal artistic content. Work in this section is by artists such as Josef Albers, Marcel Duchamp and Vera Molnár.
Bodies/Colours
In this section, the human body takes centre stage. Works inspired by ecofeminism or the questioning patriarchal society prevalent in the 1960s are featured here. There are also objects from the late 1950s to the early 1980s, when hedonism came to the forefront of design.
Artists on show in this section include Judy Chicago and Friederike Pezold.
Gestures/Imprints
This time the body is seen through gesture and performance. Sculptures take on a sensual and almost humourous pose. Body art and performance, in vogue during the 1970s, also features in this section. Work on show is by artists such as Carolee Schmeeman and Marina Abramovic.
Spiritualities/Syncretisms
Many of the works in this section have a mysterious air to them, perhaps because of the artists’ fusion of tradition and modernity, primitivism and modern art, and archaic cultures with contemporary ones. Key signatures to the works include Louise Nevelson, Mathias Goeritz and Caroline Achaintre.
Fictions/Projections
The Pompidou Centre is a fan of exploring artists’ imaginings of the future and their utopias, and this new art exhibition in Malaga is no exception. This section explores the idealised future imagined by many artists in the 1960s as well as ‘space art’ and science fiction as the source of inspiration. Artists on display include Oliver Mourgue, Kiki Kogelnik and Paul Vinilio.
Spaces/Revelations
The final section in the largest room always gives the Pompidou Centre the chance to showcase its largest installations. There are several here in a room exploring the relationship between works of art, space and the person viewing the art. This concept can be described as a conversation between the inside and outside. The giant works of art on display are by artists such as Donald Judd, Louise Bourgeois and Haegue Yang.
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Highlights at the Pompidou Centre
Inside the multi-coloured cube – Daniel Buren’s cube can be seen from the inside from the main exhibition. Watch the clouds scud across the panes.
Children’s activities – the museum runs good exhibitions for children. Check the website to find out what’s on.
Central stairway – this big exhibition space usually showcases a one-off piece.
Museum shop – this is one of the best museum shops in Malaga with lots of great ideas for fun or unusual gifts plus an excellent selection of art books.
Pompidou Centre in Malaga – practicalities
Opening times
The Pompidou Centre opens Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesday) from 9.30am to 8pm.
Admission
Main exhibition €7
Temporary Exhibition €4
Combined €9
Free admission on Sundays after 4pm
Accessible
The Pompidou Centre is fully accessible. Read more about accessible Malaga.
Time to allow for visit
Allow at least an hour to see To Open Eyes, longer if you watch all the videos.
Café and restaurant
The Pompidou Centre in Malaga doesn’t have a café or restaurant service. However, there are several excellent venues on Muelle Uno just outside. Read our guide to La Malagueta area.
This is one of the great museums in Malaga. Discover the others and decide which to visit while you’re on holiday in the city.
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