Line up on the blocks next to Usain Bolt. The lights go green, you go — and roughly four seconds later you understand, in your body rather than in theory, exactly how fast the fastest man alive actually is.
The Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch is that kind of museum. Opened in 2007 and sitting directly opposite the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc, it was the first Olympic museum of its kind in Europe, built around interactive technology and multimedia rather than glass cases. Its subject is the moment Barcelona changed: the 1992 Olympic Games, the event that pulled a city that had spent two decades looking inward around to face the sea, and rebuilt entire districts doing it.
The museum is arranged across distinct areas that each take a different angle. The Sports Walkway and Sports Pioneers trace how sport developed across civilisations and who pushed it forward. The Hall of Fame honours the athletes who defined it. Barcelona '92 is the emotional centre — the bid, the preparation, the opening ceremony, the legacy that visitors are still walking through when they use the stadium, the pools and Port Olímpic today. The Samaranch Room holds the personal art and object collection of Joan Antoni Samaranch, IOC president for over twenty years and the driving force behind bringing the Games to Barcelona; the museum was renamed for him in 2010, two months after his death. Dynamics of Sport and the Motor Area cover the physics and the machinery.
Then there are the simulators, which are what children remember and what adults quietly queue for. Race Bolt. See how Michael Phelps actually moved through water. Pedal a bike while adjusting your own aerodynamics. Try to lift what an Olympic weightlifter lifts and discover you cannot. There's also a permanent exhibition on Olympic host cities from 1992 onwards, and a rotating temporary exhibition space.
Practically, it's one of the best-value tickets in the city, it's fully accessible, children under 7 go free, photography is allowed throughout, and there's Wi-Fi in every room. It sits inside the Olympic Ring on Montjuïc, so it pairs naturally with the stadium, Palau Sant Jordi, the Miró Foundation and MNAC. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
The Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch is that kind of museum. Opened in 2007 and sitting directly opposite the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc, it was the first Olympic museum of its kind in Europe, built around interactive technology and multimedia rather than glass cases. Its subject is the moment Barcelona changed: the 1992 Olympic Games, the event that pulled a city that had spent two decades looking inward around to face the sea, and rebuilt entire districts doing it.
The museum is arranged across distinct areas that each take a different angle. The Sports Walkway and Sports Pioneers trace how sport developed across civilisations and who pushed it forward. The Hall of Fame honours the athletes who defined it. Barcelona '92 is the emotional centre — the bid, the preparation, the opening ceremony, the legacy that visitors are still walking through when they use the stadium, the pools and Port Olímpic today. The Samaranch Room holds the personal art and object collection of Joan Antoni Samaranch, IOC president for over twenty years and the driving force behind bringing the Games to Barcelona; the museum was renamed for him in 2010, two months after his death. Dynamics of Sport and the Motor Area cover the physics and the machinery.
Then there are the simulators, which are what children remember and what adults quietly queue for. Race Bolt. See how Michael Phelps actually moved through water. Pedal a bike while adjusting your own aerodynamics. Try to lift what an Olympic weightlifter lifts and discover you cannot. There's also a permanent exhibition on Olympic host cities from 1992 onwards, and a rotating temporary exhibition space.
Practically, it's one of the best-value tickets in the city, it's fully accessible, children under 7 go free, photography is allowed throughout, and there's Wi-Fi in every room. It sits inside the Olympic Ring on Montjuïc, so it pairs naturally with the stadium, Palau Sant Jordi, the Miró Foundation and MNAC. Allow 1 to 2 hours.
Key Highlights
- Race Usain Bolt on an interactive sprint simulator and see how you measure up
- Relive Barcelona '92, the Games that transformed the city
- Explore the personal collection of IOC president Joan Antoni Samaranch
- Test yourself against Olympic weightlifting, swimming and cycling challenges
- Walk through the Hall of Fame and the pioneers who shaped modern sport
- Europe's first Olympic museum built around interactive multimedia
- Directly opposite the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Montjuïc
- Fully accessible venue with a wheelchair available on site
- Children under 7 enter free, making it a strong family stop
- Excellent value at a fraction of Barcelona's headline museum prices
About Olympic & Sports Museum Barcelona Ticket
Museu Olímpic i de l'Esport Joan Antoni Samaranch
Avinguda de l'Estadi 60, 08038 Barcelona (Sants-Montjuïc), Catalonia, Spain
Opened 21 March 2007 and managed by the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica, the museum sits inside the Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring) on Montjuïc, 50 metres from the Olympic Stadium. It is a member of the Olympic Museums Network and holds Biosphere sustainability accreditation.
Getting there — Metro: L1 / L3 to Pl. Espanya, then roughly a 20-minute walk uphill.
Bus: lines 55 and 150, stopping 400m away.
Tourist bus: Barcelona Bus Turístic red line, 25m from the museum.
Montjuïc tourist bus: stop 5, 120m away.
Funicular: Funicular de Montjuïc (TMB).
Museum areas: Sports Walkway · Sports Pioneers · Hall of Fame · Barcelona '92 · Samaranch Room · Dynamics of Sport · Motor Area · Auditorium B · Temporary Exhibition Space.
On site: museum café, foyer, lockers beside reception, auditorium and multipurpose halls, free Wi-Fi throughout.
Typical visit duration: 1–2 hours, self-guided.
Avinguda de l'Estadi 60, 08038 Barcelona (Sants-Montjuïc), Catalonia, Spain
Opened 21 March 2007 and managed by the Fundació Barcelona Olímpica, the museum sits inside the Anella Olímpica (Olympic Ring) on Montjuïc, 50 metres from the Olympic Stadium. It is a member of the Olympic Museums Network and holds Biosphere sustainability accreditation.
Getting there — Metro: L1 / L3 to Pl. Espanya, then roughly a 20-minute walk uphill.
Bus: lines 55 and 150, stopping 400m away.
Tourist bus: Barcelona Bus Turístic red line, 25m from the museum.
Montjuïc tourist bus: stop 5, 120m away.
Funicular: Funicular de Montjuïc (TMB).
Museum areas: Sports Walkway · Sports Pioneers · Hall of Fame · Barcelona '92 · Samaranch Room · Dynamics of Sport · Motor Area · Auditorium B · Temporary Exhibition Space.
On site: museum café, foyer, lockers beside reception, auditorium and multipurpose halls, free Wi-Fi throughout.
Typical visit duration: 1–2 hours, self-guided.
Inclusions
- Entry to the Olympic & Sports Museum permanent collection
- Access to all museum areas and interactive simulators
- Free Wi-Fi throughout the museum
Exclusions
- Food and drinks at the museum café
- Gratuities and personal expenses
Insiders' Tips
Take the Funicular or Montjuïc tourist bus instead of walking up from Plaça Espanya — it's 20 minutes uphill. Watch the seasonal hours: closing is 18:00 from October to March, and 14:30 on Sundays and public holidays year-round. Come on a weekday morning with kids, since the simulators are the main draw and queues build at weekends. Youth card, RACC and library card discounts are only honoured at the ticket office, not online. Pair it with the Olympic Stadium 50 metres away and MNAC or the Miró Foundation for a full Montjuïc day.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
Child Policy
Accessibility & Facilities
Restrictions
- April to September: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 – 19:00
- October to March: Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 – 18:00
- Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 – 14:30, year-round
Child Policy
- Children under 7 enter free when accompanied by an adult.
- Minors must be accompanied by an adult throughout the visit.
- A dedicated student rate applies to school-age and university students with valid ID.
Accessibility & Facilities
- The museum is fully accessible throughout.
- A wheelchair is available on site for visitors who need one.
- Guide dogs are welcome; other animals are not permitted
Restrictions
- Food and drink are not permitted inside the museum.
- Animals are not allowed, with the exception of guide dogs.
- Some interactive installations may have physical requirements; use as directed by staff.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the selected visit date for a full refund.
- Cancellations within 24 hours of the visit date are non-refundable.
- No-shows are not refundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the Olympic & Sports Museum ticket?
Your ticket covers the full permanent collection across all museum areas — the Sports Walkway, Sports Pioneers, Hall of Fame, Barcelona '92, the Samaranch Room, Dynamics of Sport and the Motor Area — plus every interactive simulator and the current temporary exhibition. Lockers and Wi-Fi are included; guided tours are not.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend between one and two hours. Allow the full two if you're travelling with children or want to try all the interactive installations, which are the museum's main attraction and can involve a short wait at busy times.
Is the Olympic Museum open on Mondays?
No. It's closed every Monday, plus 1–6 January, 1 May and 25–26 December. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 19:00 from April to September, and 10:00 to 18:00 from October to March. Sundays and public holidays run shorter, closing at 14:30 year-round.
Can you really race Usain Bolt?
Yes — that's one of the museum's signature installations. Interactive simulators let you sprint against Bolt's record pace, see how Michael Phelps moved through water, adjust your aerodynamics while cycling, and test yourself against the weights Olympic lifters handle. They're the reason the museum works so well for families.
Do children need a ticket?
Children under 7 enter free when accompanied by an adult, though this doesn't apply to organised groups. A reduced student rate is available for older children and students with valid ID. The museum also runs family visit programmes and school holiday activities, bookable separately.
Where is the museum and how do I get there?
It's at Avinguda de l'Estadi 60 on Montjuïc, 50 metres from the Olympic Stadium inside the Olympic Ring. The nearest metro is Plaça Espanya on lines L1 and L3, about 20 minutes uphill on foot. Buses 55 and 150 stop 400m away, and both the Bus Turístic red line and Montjuïc tourist bus stop within 120 metres.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, fully. The museum is accessible throughout and has a wheelchair available on site for visitors who need one. Guide dogs are welcome.
Can I take photos inside?
Yes. The use of cameras is permitted in the museum rooms, so you're free to photograph the exhibits and your attempts at the simulators. Free Wi-Fi is available in every room if you want to share them straight away.
What else can I do nearby?
Plenty. The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is 50 metres away, with Palau Sant Jordi, the Bernat Picornell pools and the Olympic Ring all adjacent. The Fundació Joan Miró, MNAC, the Mirador viewpoint and Montjuïc's gardens are within walking distance, making a full day on the hill easy to build.
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