Museum of Contemporary Art of Ibiza

Museum of Contemporary Art of Ibiza (MACE) sits inside the walled old town of Dalt Vila in Eivissa, the capital of Ibiza.

Where is it and what building houses it?

The museum occupies rooms inside an 18th-century structure built in 1727 to a design by Simón Poulet — the former Hall of Arms (Sala d'Armes) together with a warehouse known as Prova. It ranks among the most distinctive buildings within the fortified walls of Dalt Vila, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Housing a contemporary art collection inside stone military-era rooms is itself part of the appeal: the contrast between the austere defensive architecture and the modern works on display gives a visit here its own particular atmosphere.

What is the museum's history?

MACE opened in 1969, an initiative of Eivissa's town council backed by the circle around the Eivissa Biennial, which makes it one of the oldest contemporary art museums in Spain. In 2012 the building underwent a major expansion and renovation, giving the museum its current layout and larger exhibition space.

What will you see inside?

The galleries cover close to 2,000 square metres across permanent and rotating exhibitions. The core of the collection centers on artists tied to Ibiza in the 1960s, a period when the island drew painters and sculptors from across Europe. Names on display include Antoni Tàpies and Josep Maria Subirachs (Miralles), alongside lesser-known figures who remain significant to the Balearic art scene. Beyond the exhibition rooms, the building also holds an auditorium used for talks and screenings, a museum shop, and a reading room with a documentation centre focused on contemporary art.

How do you get there and when should you go?

The museum sits within Dalt Vila, so reaching it means walking the steep, cobbled lanes of the old town — comfortable shoes help. From the harbour or the newer part of town it's a walk of roughly ten to fifteen minutes through one of the historic gates. Opening hours shift with the season: from October to March the museum is open Monday to Friday 10:00–15:00 and weekends 10:00–14:00. From April to June and in September it opens Monday to Saturday 10:00–14:00 and 17:00–20:00, with Sundays 10:00–14:00. In July and August, the height of the season, hours extend to 10:00–14:00 and 18:00–21:00 Monday to Saturday, Sundays still 10:00–14:00. It's worth checking the current schedule before visiting, since closing days and hours can shift around temporary exhibitions.

Who is this for?

MACE suits anyone in Eivissa looking for something beyond beaches and clubs — a stop that appeals both to art enthusiasts and to visitors who simply want to see the inside of one of Dalt Vila's historic buildings. Given its modest size, a visit typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, so it pairs easily with a walk along the defensive walls and up to the cathedral overlooking the town.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee? No, admission to MACE is free for all visitors.

How much time should I budget for the visit? Around 45 to 60 minutes is usually enough, depending on whether a temporary exhibition is running at the time.

Is the museum open every day? No — opening days and hours vary by season, and outside summer the museum may be closed on certain days, so it's worth checking the current schedule before you go.

Is it worth combining with a walk through Dalt Vila? Yes, the museum sits right in the heart of the old town, so it fits naturally into a route that also takes in the walls, the cathedral, and the narrow streets of the historic quarter.