Must Visit Museums in Barcelona

Must Visit Museums in Barcelona

Barcelona is an artist city, just walking through the city streets will highlight this thanks to the grand architecture left behind by Antoni Gaudí and his predecessors.

There are museums all over Barcelona, some holding renowned artworks from across the globe. Whether your interest lies in art, or elsewhere in marine history, the world of science, Spanish culture (to name a few), you can explore these subjects extensively while in Barcelona.

Here are a few that are not to be missed.

Museum of the History of Barcelona in Barcelona

Barcelona originated in Roman times, and holds a longstanding history in terms of Spanish culture and its development. This museum in the old Gothic Quarter seeks to help visitors to the city to connect to the history in chronological order.

Admission is €7 and includes an audioguide through the space that will cover everything worth learning about Barcelona’s emergence as a prominent Spanish city.

The walk through the Roman ruins underground are not to be missed! Be sure to reserve enough time in your visit to do these properly.

Museu d’Història de Barcelona – by MARIA ROSA FERRE – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday – 10am to 7pm

ADDRESS: Plaça del Rei, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Jaume I

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona is one of the most impressive establishments in the country. You’ll pass it if you ever take a free guided walking tour through the artistic district of el Naval, just south of the Gothic Quarter.

The museum showcases contemporary works from both local and international artists. The exhibits are refreshed and rotated regularly.

The work is often a commentary on socio political issues facing the Catalan region. Entrance is free on Saturdays between 4pm and 8pm.

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art – by Robertgombos – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Wednesday to Monday – 10am to 8pm

ADDRESS: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Universitat

Joan Miró Foundation in Barcelona

Joan Miró was an influential artist who was native to the city of Barcelona. He was known for his works in sculpture, ceramics and painting. This museum was created with the intention of allowing his memory to live on in the city he spent so much time creating in.

The museum is situated in the beautiful green suburbs below el Raval. It’s an escape from the city and one of the most significant collections of local works in any museum in Barcelona.

You can spend a good few hours getting lost here. There is a cafe in the museum for refreshment in between.

Joan Miró Foundation – by Joan Miró Foundation – Uploaded by them

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday – 10am to 8pm

ADDRESS: Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Poble Sec

Picasso Museum in Barcelona

There are Picasso Museums all over Europe; each of them holding extensive collections of his works that have been carefully preserved.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is one of the largest collection of Picasso works in one museum in the world. There are 4,251 works held here.

Picasso Museum – by haitham alfalah – Wikimedia Commons

It’s situated in the Medieval hub of Barcelona, in an old building that is as beautiful to admire as the work itself. It resembles that of a gothic inspired Moroccan palace, with plants through the building quarters.

Admission to the Picasso Museum is free on Thursdays. You’ll have to register your attendance in advance via their website.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday – 9am to 8:30pm

ADDRESS: Carrer Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Barceloneta

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona

As you ascend up the grand steps that take you into the MNAC palace, you’re well aware you’re in for something astounding.

This is the national museum for Catalan art, which means that all of the exhibits and works held in the museum are the works of local Catalan artists. For those who aren’t already aware, Catalonia is the province in which Barcelona is the main city.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya – by Martin Abegglen – Wikimedia Commons

This museum was designed with the intent of visitors spending the whole day on the premises. There is a rooftop restaurant and multiple cafes on the ground floor. Entrance is free on Saturdays after 3pm.

One of the main exhibits is a collection of furniture that was designed and made by Gaudi.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Sunday – 10am to 8pm

ADDRESS: Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Poble Sec

Museum of Illusions in Barcelona

The Museum of Illusions is a lighter museum experience that is particularly great for travelers with children.

The space is a compilation of life sized illusions and perception challenging structures that are great for creating Instagram travel content. It’s extremely easy to enjoy and requires little focus, in many ways this is definitely a children’s museum, bar one or two more impressive exhibits.

The museum is in el Raval amongst the streets of great cafes and tapas bars.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday – 10am to 10pm

ADDRESS: Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 17, 08001 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Universitat

Gaudí House Museum in Barcelona

The Park Güell is considered to be one of the last and most important gifts that Antoni Gaudi gave the people of Barcelona. In the center you’ll find his old home, that now offers itself as a museum for the public to enjoy.

It’s filled with furniture, documents and personal items once owned by the artist. The museum gives visitors significant insight into the ways in which nature influenced the work that Gaudi created in Barcelona.

Gaudí House Museum – by Georges Jansoone – Wikimedia Commons

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This is a very small museum and only requires a few minutes to walk through extensively. Great if you have an hour to kill while exploring Gracia, perhaps before or after a guided walking tour.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

OPENING HOURS: Monday to Sunday – 9am to 8pm

ADDRESS: Park Güell, Ctra. del Carmel, 23A, 08013 Barcelona, Spain

METRO STATION: Vallcarca