Gernika Peace Museum

The museum tells the story of the bombing of Gernika on 26 April 1937 and uses it to talk about peace and reconciliation. The visit lasts about an hour and a half and has a lift, adapted toilets and transcripts of the audiovisuals. It is at Foru plaza 1, a five-minute walk from the Casa de Juntas.

What is inside

The permanent exhibition is organised around three questions and ends with a reflection on human rights. It begins with "What is peace?", which reviews the paths to peace, from inner peace to that agreed between countries. It continues with the legacy of the bombing, the longest part, which covers the history of the town from its foundation to the Second Republic, the war, the air raid, the destruction and occupation of the town, Francoist repression and reconciliation between survivors and attackers.

The best-known room is "Begoña's House": a set recreating the dining room of a Gernika house on the day of the bombing, with an audiovisual in which Begoña, the protagonist, tells what happened in those days; it is available with a transcript and in sign language. Then come "In memoriam", an award-winning audiovisual about tragedy and hope, and an introduction to Picasso's "Guernica".

On the second floor, the bombing is told by those who lived through it, with testimonies recorded in the 1970s and in 2018, and objects such as Fernanda Arrien's melted coins or Sofía Gandarias's painting "Gernika peregrino". The visit closes with "Guernica" as a starting point for talking about human rights today. In the semi-basement there are temporary exhibitions, three or four a year.

Prices and hours

In 2026 admission costs €6.50 and the reduced rate €4.50 (groups, students, pensioners, large families, pilgrims); under-12s and people with disabilities enter free, as does everyone on Saturday afternoons. The temporary exhibition alone costs €3. It is also free on special dates, such as the anniversary of the bombing in April or Memory Day in November. At the tourist office they sell a joint pass with other Gernika museums.

From 16 March to 18 October it opens Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00, and Mondays and Sundays from 10:00 to 14:30. In winter it is closed on Mondays, opens Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00, on Saturdays from 10:00 to 14:30 and from 16:00 to 18:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 to 14:30. It closes from 1 to 26 January and on 24, 25, 30 and 31 December. The ticket office closes half an hour earlier. Telephone: 94 627 02 13.

Before you go

Backpacks, large bags and umbrellas are not allowed in the rooms: leave them in the shop's cloakroom. You can take photos and video, but not eat. Only assistance dogs are allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult; given the subject, it suits better from about age 12. You can do the visit on your own or sign up for a guided one from the booking website.

What to combine

Plaza de los Fueros is right in the centre, a few steps from the Casa de Juntas and the Gernika Tree, so both visits fit into one morning. On the way out, the tourist office at Artekalea gives you a map of the town and, for lunch, the Zallo Barri has a set menu on weekdays.