Barcelona runs on two wheels and pure fuel. Stand at any traffic light on Avinguda Diagonal and you'll hear it: a chorus of scooters and motorcycles revving in unison, ready to take off as soon as the light turns green. This city has more motorcycles per capita than anywhere else in Europe . The numbers confirm it.

So it makes sense that Catalonia's motorcycle heritage should have a proper home. The Museu de la Moto (Motorcycle Museum) holds that history. The museum has faced some challenges along the way. Its Barcelona location closed permanently in 2017. But the main collection remains strong in Bassella, an hour and a half northwest of the city.

This is where you go if you want to see what built the culture. Polished tanks, vintage engines, machines that defined how people moved through these streets. It's not just an exhibit. For bikers who care about where it all came from, it's worth the trip.

In this blog, we will talk about the history of the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum, its most important exhibitions, the sidecars and motorcycles on display in the museum, opening hours and the price of museum tickets.

History of the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum

The museum exists thanks to Mario Soler , a mechanic who spent decades restoring vintage motorcycles in his workshop in Bassella. When he died in 1991, he had brought more than 200 machines back to life. His family didn't let that work be lost. In 2010, they created the Fundació Privada Museu Moto Mario Soler to keep it alive.

A year later, they opened a second location in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, at Carrer de la Palla, 10. The building had its own history, a former convent called Sant Felip Neri. Inside, 600 square meters housed motorcycles from the so-called Golden Age of Spanish motorcycling . It operated for six years. Then, on October 3, 2017, it closed. The decision was practical. Maintaining two locations would have divided the collection. Everything returned to the Museu de la Moto in Bassella, which is still considered one of the best motorcycle museums in Europe.

What is on display at the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum?

Entering the Bassella Motorcycle Museum is like experiencing a century of motorcycling at full speed. This is where the old Barcelona collection ended up. The layout tells a story: industrial evolution, cultural shifts, racing glory. It's all here.

The Spanish giants: Bultaco, Montesa and OSSA

The core of the museum belongs to the Big Three of Spain. These brands dominated the world of trials and motocross in the mid-20th century.

Bultaco occupies a significant space. The Sherpa T changed how trials bikes were built. The Metralla Mk2 earned its reputation as the fastest 250cc production motorcycle you could buy at the time.

Montesa It showcases the Cota series, which has been in production since 1968. That makes it the longest-running Spanish motorcycle model. In these machines, form followed function.

OSSA It brought innovations. You'll find the 250cc Monocoque with its monocoque frame and the Yankee 500, a street bike that didn't mess around.

Rare machines and prototypes

The 1904 Villalbí is the anchor of the collection. It's the first motorcycle built entirely in Spain. It looks like a bicycle with a bolted-on engine, which is essentially what it was. But it marks the beginning.

The museum also houses experimental motorcycles that never went into production. The Montesa Fura is one example. These prototypes show paths that the industry could have taken but didn't.

Sidecars from the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum

One of the most interesting sections of the Museu Moto Bassella focuses on sidecars. They weren't just novelty rides. In early 20th-century Barcelona, ​​they kept the city moving.

The sidecar as public transport

In the 1920s, motorcycle sidecars served as taxis. Harley-Davidson and Indian models traveled the narrow streets of Barcelona, ​​especially around the Ciutat Vella (Old City ). Cars couldn't navigate those alleyways as easily as a three-wheeled vehicle. Before automobiles took over, sidecars did the job.

Luxury and innovation

The museum houses some rare examples from that era. Belgian FN (Fabrique Nationale) motorcycles. They came with ornate wicker basket sidecars. In the early 1900s, they were considered luxury family transport. The third passenger sat in the basket, exposed to the wind but traveling in style.

A living legacy

That history didn't disappear. The Fundació Privada Museu Moto Mario Soler preserves the vintage motorcycles in Bassella. Meanwhile, Barcelona still offers sidecar tours of the city. Modern companies allow visitors to see monuments from a vintage-style sidecar. It connects with what the headquarters in the Gothic Quarter used to showcase. The tradition adapted, but it didn't die.

Barcelona Motorcycle Museum Opening Hours

If you're heading to Bassella to see the collection, check the opening hours first. They have split schedules that change depending on the day.

General opening hours :

• Monday to Saturday: 10:00 – 14:00 and 16:00 – 19:00.

• Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 – 14:00. Closed in the afternoons.

• Last entry: 30 minutes before closing time.

Note on holidays: The museum remains open on most public holidays. Two exceptions: December 25 and January 1. It is closed on those days.

Before heading there, check the official website of the Bassella Motorcycle Museum. They sometimes close for private events or rallies. It's better to confirm than to arrive and find the doors closed.

Ticket prices for the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum

The foundation strives to keep the history of motorcycling accessible to everyone, from "mechanics fanatics" to families looking for a unique outing in the Pyrenees.

Price and tickets for the Museu Moto Bassella (2026):

Helpful tip: Your tickets to the Museu Moto Bassella include access to the main collection and all temporary themed exhibitions on Level -1. These rotating exhibitions often feature unique prototypes and racing machines, such as the full 50th anniversary celebration of the Montesa Cota or specialized exhibitions on Dakar Rally legends.

Why it's still a must-see in 2026

The Mario Soler Motorcycle Museum Private Foundation houses more than just vintage motorcycles. It represents the industrial backbone of Catalonia. During Spain's post-war economic boom, the so-called Spanish Miracle, motorcycles put working people on the road. They were the ticket to weekend getaways to the coast. They carried Spanish riders to the podiums of world championships.

You'll see aerodynamic racing motorcycles from the 1960s. You'll find vintage sidecars that once traveled the streets of Barcelona as everyday transport. Each machine marks a change in how people got around.

If you're in Barcelona, ​​take the trip northwest to Bassella. The route takes you through the Catalan interior towards the Pre-Pyrenees. Winding roads, open stretches. It's fitting. The journey itself reflects what you'll see once you arrive: machines built for transportation, preserved but not forgotten.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the sidecar collection at the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum unique?

The museum highlights a rare era when motorcycles served as public transport. You can see the Harley-Davidson sidecars that operated as official taxis in Barcelona during the 1920s. It also features early "wicker sidecars" (literally woven baskets), illustrating the transition from bicycles to motorized family transport.

Can visitors see the "First Spanish Motorcycle" at the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum?

Yes. One of the crown jewels of the collection is the 1904 Villalbí. It is historically significant as the first motorcycle...

Designed and built entirely in Spain, it marks the beginning of the industrial heritage that the Mario Soler Foundation works to preserve.

Which famous Spanish racing brands are featured at the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum?

The museum is a place of pilgrimage for fans of the "Big Three" Catalan manufacturers: Bultaco, Montesa, and Ossa. The collection includes world championship-winning trial bikes, such as the Bultaco Sherpa T, and legendary road bikes like the Montesa Cota.

Is the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum accessible to people who are not motorcycle enthusiasts?

Surprisingly, yes. Because the collection focuses on industrial design and social history, it appeals to history buffs and design students alike. It traces how mobility changed after the Spanish Civil War and how motorcycles helped the working class transition into the modern era.

What are the ticket prices and opening hours of the Barcelona Motorcycle Museum?

By 2026, the museum is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:30.

• General admission: €14.00

• Reduced rate: €8.50 (Seniors, Students, Groups)

• Children (Under 12 years): FREE

• Discounts: €11.90 (RACC Members)