Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Elx

Museu d'Art Contemporani d'Elx (MACE) is a contemporary art museum in Elche (Elx), set on Plaza Mayor del Raval in the historic El Raval quarter, right next to the Basílica de Santa María. It's one of the few places in the region where the development of Spanish and Valencian avant-garde art across the second half of the 20th century can be traced under a single roof.

What will you see at MACE?

The museum's permanent collection grew out of an initiative by Grup d'Elx, a circle of local artists and collectors, and spans roughly sixty years of Spanish art. The display occupies four rooms and is organized around two major currents of avant-garde painting from the 1950s to the 1980s: abstract art, with particular emphasis on informalism, and figurative or realist painting.

Artists represented include names considered central to Spain's post-war avant-garde: Arcadi Blasco, Juana Francés, Salvador Soria, Toni Miró, Equipo Crónica, and Viola. That lineup gives MACE a reach beyond a purely local gallery — it functions as a reference point for anyone tracing the history of contemporary art in the Valencian Community and Spain more broadly. Its compact scale, four rooms rather than sprawling wings, means a visit typically takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on pace and interest.

How do you get there?

The museum sits right in Elche's historic center, in the El Raval quarter, immediately next to the Basílica de Santa María, one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. That makes it an easy stop on foot: central Elche is compact, and most of the city's major sights, including the UNESCO-listed Palmeral (palm grove) and the Huerto del Cura gardens, are within walking distance. Travelers coming from elsewhere in the region will find Elche well connected by train and bus to Alicante, about 20 kilometers away.

When should you go? Opening hours and tickets

MACE is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. It's worth checking current hours before visiting, since they can shift seasonally and the museum may close on public holidays. General admission costs €2, with a reduced rate of €1, making it one of the most affordable cultural attractions in the city and a solid choice for families or solo travelers alike.

The best times to visit are mid-morning, when the rooms tend to be quietest, or late afternoon, when temperatures drop and a museum visit pairs well with a walk through the old town. As in many Mediterranean cities, several cultural institutions in Elche close over the midday hours, and MACE is no exception, hence the midday break in its schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a visit to MACE take? Not long — thanks to its compact layout of four rooms, most visitors spend between 45 minutes and an hour and a half there.

Which artists are featured in the collection? The collection includes works by Arcadi Blasco, Juana Francés, Salvador Soria, Toni Miró, Equipo Crónica, and Viola, among the leading figures of Spain's post-war Valencian avant-garde.

How much does admission cost? General admission is €2, with a reduced rate of €1, making MACE one of the more budget-friendly attractions in Elche.

Is the museum close to other Elche attractions? Yes — MACE sits right next to the Basílica de Santa María in the historic El Raval quarter, within walking distance of the Palmeral and the Huerto del Cura gardens.