Interactive Music Museum of Málaga

The Interactive Music Museum of Málaga (MIMMA) is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of music, located in the historic centre of Málaga. Opened in 2002, it has become a popular stop for both tourists and locals wanting to explore musical instruments from around the world through hands-on experiences rather than static display cases.

Where is the museum located?

MIMMA occupies the Palacio del Conde Navas, an 18th-century palace right in the heart of Málaga's old town. The building's historic architecture gives the museum an unusual, atmospheric setting: visitors move through former palace rooms that have been reworked into exhibition spaces while keeping much of their original character.

What does the collection include?

The museum holds more than 1,000 musical instruments and music-related objects gathered from across the world and from every historical era, making it one of the most complete private collections of its kind in Europe. The exhibition guides visitors through the musical culture of all five continents, spanning a timeline from prehistoric instruments to present-day technology.

The museum spaces are organized by colour into three zones: white, black and red. The black rooms house the permanent collection, arranged thematically to cover the origins of music, folklore, musical ensembles, the music of the five continents, mechanical music, recorded sound, and electronic music.

What makes MIMMA interactive?

The museum uses modern technology to surround visitors with sound and turn the visit into something to experience rather than simply observe. The most distinctive part of the museum is the red "Please Play" zones, where guests are invited to try playing instruments themselves. A virtual teacher walks visitors step by step through how to hold and play instruments such as the violin, udu, cello, guitar, and flamenco cajón. As a result, a trip to MIMMA is not just about viewing exhibits behind glass — it's a hands-on musical experience open to both children and adults, regardless of prior musical training.

Does the museum run activities for children?

Yes. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, MIMMA runs an educational programme aimed at younger visitors, built around learning about music through play. These activities include theatre and music workshops as well as storytelling sessions, introducing children to sound and instruments in an accessible way.

Who is this museum for?

The interactive format makes MIMMA appealing both to music lovers looking to discover unique instruments from different cultures and to families with children who enjoy experimenting hands-on with music during a visit. Its location in Málaga's historic centre also makes it easy to combine a visit with exploring the city's other landmarks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is MIMMA located? The museum is in the historic centre of Málaga, housed in the 18th-century Palacio del Conde Navas.

How many instruments does the museum display? The collection includes more than 1,000 musical instruments and related objects from different eras and cultures around the world.

Can visitors actually play the instruments at MIMMA? Yes, in the red "Please Play" zones, visitors can try instruments such as the violin, udu, cello, guitar and flamenco cajón with the help of a virtual teacher.

Does the museum offer anything for children? Yes, on weekends and public holidays it runs music workshops, theatre activities and storytelling sessions designed for young visitors.