Just a short train ride from Barcelona, the town of Sant Cugat del Vallès is home to one of Catalonia’s most unexpected cultural stops: a comic museum devoted entirely to comics and illustration.
If you’re planning a day trip from Barcelona and love graphic novels, manga, or vintage Spanish tebeos, the Museu del Còmic i la Il·lustració is well worth the detour.
Where Is the Comic Museum in Sant Cugat?
The Sant Cugat comic museum is housed in Casa Josep Massana, a historic mid-19th-century building right in the heart of the old town, at Plaça de Pep Ventura, 1.
The setting itself adds character to the visit — creaky wooden floors, high ceilings, and three floors packed with comic history.
Inside the Museu del Còmic i la Il·lustració: 135 Years of Comics
Recognized as Spain’s first museum dedicated to comics, the collection includes almost 1,500 pieces, ranging from original illustrations to printed editions — in some cases displaying both side by side. The permanent exhibition takes visitors chronologically through the evolution of the medium, from 19th-century satirical press to the comics of today, including:
- 1865–1900: The earliest satirical and children’s illustrations
- 1897 onwards: Monigoty, considered the first work told entirely through graphic narrative
- The golden age of weekly comic magazines in the 1920s–50s
- The industry’s shift toward adult and countercultural themes in the 1970s–80s
- A dedicated manga room, tracing Japanese comic art from its 19th-century roots to the present
Most of the collection focuses on Spanish and Catalan comics, though international works — including the rise of DC and Marvel superheroes — are also represented.
Temporary Exhibitions at the Museum
Alongside its permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts themed temporary exhibitions dedicated to specific illustrators or comic genres.
It’s worth checking what’s on before you visit, since past shows have spotlighted classic Spanish humor cartoonists and iconic characters — with new exhibitions rotating throughout the year.
Comic Museum Sant Cugat: Practical Information
- Address: Plaça de Pep Ventura, 1, 08172 Sant Cugat del Vallès
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 16:00–20:00; Saturday, 10:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00; Sunday, 10:00–14:00; closed Mondays
- Tickets: From around €9–10 for general admission; reduced rates typically apply for seniors, children, and visitors with disabilities
- Accessibility: The museum is wheelchair accessible
- Audio guide: Available via a downloadable app, usually in Catalan, Spanish, English, and French
How to Get to Sant Cugat from Barcelona
Sant Cugat del Vallès is easily reached by FGC train (line S1 or S2) from Plaça Catalunya in around 25–30 minutes, making it a perfect half-day trip from Barcelona.
Once you step off the train, the comic museum is a short walk through the pedestrian old town.
Other Things to Do in Sant Cugat del Vallès
Since you’re already in town, it’s worth combining your museum visit with a stop at the Monastery of Sant Cugat, one of the area’s most significant historical landmarks, just a few minutes’ walk away — along with the many cafés and terraces around the old town center.
Is the Sant Cugat Comic Museum Worth Visiting?
For comic and manga enthusiasts, this museum offers something you won’t easily find within Barcelona itself: a focused, in-depth look at the evolution of the medium, away from the city’s more crowded attractions. It’s an easy, low-cost day trip from Barcelona that rewards curiosity — and makes for a refreshingly different outing from the usual sightseeing route.
