A tip from our all-new Winter Getaways Guide.
The year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Ruiz Picasso, the legendary Spanish artist. Picasso, who was born and raised in Spain, went to Paris to study in his youth and lived in France for many years. In an unusual move for the highly competitive travel industry, the nations of France and Spain have united to present a year of extraordinary Picasso exhibitions. His work will be shown in both countries; save France for a spring or summer visit.
Winter is an ideal season to visit temperate Spain, where 16 exhibitions will come to five cities that left their mark on the young artist. As his birthplace, Malaga is where Picasso held his first art exhibition at age 13. Picasso loved his seaside hometown, now a popular gateway to North Africa with ferries to the Spanish city of Melilla and the port of Tangier in Morocco. Casa Natal Picasso is open free daily to those under 18 and is only 3 euros for other visitors. The town of A Coruña where he lived will host a special show. Beautiful Barcelona, where Picasso’s father was an arts teacher, is doing special exhibits at the Picasso Museum plus a special joint exhibit of Picasso and Miro beginning next fall. Picasso attended one of the top art academies in Madrid. Four major museums in Spain’s capital will star Picasso’s work through September 2023. Don’t miss the unique 50th anniversary exhibits that focus on Picasso’s affection for Coco Chanel, El Greco and Velazquez. The Guggenheim in Bilbao, like its sister Guggenheim in New York, features Picasso in fall 2023. For more information on tour packages and how your family can fit some of these landmark shows into your itinerary, visit the tourist office of Spain.
