Paintings on display inside the Museo Picasso

Best Museums in Barcelona

Barcelona is known the world over as a city brimming with history and culture. From its stunning architecture to its celebrated artists and its globally renowned cuisine to its impressive standing in the sports scene, the city makes sure to honor everything that makes up its unique character.

Amongst its wealth of museums and exhibitions highlighting just about everything the city has to offer, there’s truly something for every type of visitor to enjoy. We’ve put together this directory of some of the best museums in Barcelona for you to add to your itinerary.

Art & Design

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Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

Housed within the impressive halls of the Palau Nacional in Montjuïc, the MNAC boasts a collection of a thousand years of visual art from throughout the Catalonia region. Standing as the largest and most significant museum in Barcelona, the museum features the world’s largest collection of Roman frescoes and the most important collection of Catalan art. Exhibitions cover everything from religious art to civil war propaganda to the evolution of art history in Catalonia.

Museu Picasso

Located within the popular Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, the Museu Picasso is home to one of the world’s most complete collections of Pablo Picasso’s works. With a total of more than 4,000 pieces, exhibitions vary throughout the year to explore different aspects of the painter’s life, inspirations and art style.

Fundació Joan Miró

One of the most significant attractions atop Montjuïc, this museum honors the life and art of one of Spain’s most celebrated twentieth-century artists, Joan Miró. Home to a collection of over 10,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, carpets and other such pieces, the Fundació explores the work and life of both Joan Miró and comparable modern artists.

Museu del Disseny

Found on Plaça de les Glòries near the hip Poblenou neighborhood, the Museu del Disseny serves as Barcelona’s premier research center and museum for design, fashion and decorative arts. Housing over 70,000 items spanning across five centuries, the museum’s exhibits serve to bring attention specifically to individual Spanish and Catalan designers and their works.

History

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Museu Marítim

Barcelona’s Maritime Museum offers an exploration of the city’s naval history from the fifteenth century onwards. Based in the former shipyards of Drassane, the museum houses various to-scale reproductions and models of some of Barcelona’s most important historical vessels, alongside wooden submarines, simple fishing boats and racing boats.

Museu d'Història de Catalunya

Located on Port Vell, this museum offers an exploration of the history of the Catalonia region. Its permanent main exhibition covers everything as far back as the hunter-gatherer populations of the region to the age of the Romans to the more recent suppression of Catalan culture under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco. Temporary exhibitions held throughout the year also serve to explore specific elements of Catalan history and culture in greater detail.

Museo de Historia de Barcelona (MUHBA)

Comprising five different museums, the MUHBA allows visitors to discover over 2,000 years of Barcelona’s history. Exhibitions include everything from remnants of the original Roman city to an air raid shelter active during the Spanish Civil War. By exploring all of the museums in their order of choice, visitors can discover the evolution of Barcelona from its prehistoric origins to the modern metropolis we know today.

Sports

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FC Barcelona Museum / Camp Nou

Home to the globally celebrated Futbol Club Barcelona, one of the city’s top attractions is the team’s home stadium, Camp Nou. While the stadium isn’t in use, it serves as a monument to the team’s successes, both historical and ongoing.

Visitors can take the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of soccer legends on a tour of the stadium grounds, broadcaster booths, press rooms and changing rooms. Once that’s done, they can then peruse the exhibition rooms detailing FC Barcelona’s most notable players, matches and victories throughout the years.

Joan Antoni Samaranch Olympic and Sports Museum

Perhaps the most significant catalyst for Barcelona becoming the tourism hotspot we know today was the 1992 Olympic Games hosted by the city. The Olympic and Sports Museum located on Montjuïc commemorates the momentous occasion with exhibitions exploring the history of the Olympic Games as well as that of other sporting events such as Formula 1 and the Tour de France.

A portion of the museum is also dedicated to the private art collection of Joan Antoni Samaranch, after whom the museum was named. Having served for over two decades as chairman of the International Olympic Committee, his collection demonstrates the inherent interconnectedness of sports, art and culture.

Miscellaneous

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Museu de la Xocolata

While Barcelona may not be particularly renowned for its chocolate, that doesn’t stop its Chocolate Museum from serving as a shrine for everybody with a sweet tooth to worship. This culinary exhibition offers an insightful history of the sweet treat, along with hands-on workshops for all ages and displays of intricate chocolate models representing a number of the city’s top monuments. And if that isn’t enough to satisfy your hunger, the admission ticket is itself made from edible chocolate!

Museo Erótico de Barcelona

Barcelona’s Erotic Museum fits in very well among the city’s hedonistic appeal, serving as an homage to sexuality and eroticism in its various forms. The museum retraces the history of human intimacy throughout the ages, offering a refreshing exploration of a subject often still considered taboo. Far from the sleaze and lewdness you might expect of such an organization, the museum aims to shed light on human sexuality as a whole, in an engaging yet wholly informative manner.

Robert Heaney
Go City Travel Expert

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Win a Cloud Cities Experience and dive with sharks this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Whizz up to the 30th floor and marvel at 360° views of Barcelona – get a stunning new perspective from 125-meters above the city. You’ll get the VIP experience on a private tour of the tower before you head to the Skydeck for your very own photoshoot. A professional photographer will guarantee you remember the experience with picture perfect vacation snaps. You’ll also get access to the Cloud Cities Experience – an interactive installation from artist Tomás Saraceno. Move through over 100 different cloud spaces and re-imagine what an observatory can be, inside the changing shapes of passing clouds. As if the heights of Glòries Tower aren’t daring enough, you’ll also win a diving with sharks experience in Barcelona Aquarium. An expert instructor will teach you all you need to know about diving signals, breathing and moving around underwater, buoyancy control and using a regulator. Then it’s time to jump in and meet your hosts – you’ll find yourself surrounded by sharks, moray eels, rays and more. See Barcelona from above then dive into the deep with some of the sea’s most scary locals. How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Barcelona passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions.
Alice Padfield
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Best Churches in Barcelona - Guide

Heading to Barcelona this year and interested in the city's deep connection to the Catholic faith? Or just looking for somewhere to chat to the big man upstairs? Check out our guide to the best churches in Barcelona, and see which best suits you! Including: La Sagrada Familia Basílica de Santa María del Mar Basílica de Santa María del Pi La Catedral de Barcelona Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and more! La Sagrada Familia La Sagrada Familia isn't just one of the best churches in Barcelona - it's one of the most unique and eye-catching buildings on Earth. Designed by renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and only nearing completion 120+ years after work began, it's one of the most prominent jewels in Barcelona's crown. Each element, from the spires to the interior façades, was meticulously designed around themes of Christianity. Every inch holds meaning. There's nothing quite like it in any other place on the planet, making it an absolute must-visit for anyone visiting the city, Christian or otherwise. To make the most of your visit, and to uncover all the church's secrets, take a guided tour and get the low down from a learned guide. This is the way. Basílica de Santa María del Pi A 14th-century gem, the Santa Maria del Pi is named after a large pine tree that faced the church during construction. Widely considered one of the best churches in Barcelona, it mimics the Catalan Gothic style of Basilica de Santa María del Mar, with its less extravagant design and large, beautiful windows. In fact, the Santa Maria del Pi contains one of the world's largest rose windows, which is a magnificent sight to behold! Beyond the church's undeniable beauty and calm praying space, you'll find a small museum and treasury, which claims to contain a piece from Christ's crown of thorns. Whether that is the case or not has yet to be determined, but why not go and see for yourself? Basílica de Santa María del Mar Built back in the 1300s, the Basilica de Santa María del Mar is a testament to the beauty of the Catalan Gothic style. And what a style it is, with simple symmetry accentuating harmony. Its massive, stunning windows bathe the interior with light, which perfectly contrasts the weighty and somewhat daunting exterior design. A calm, quiet space in comparison to the loud, awe-inspiring Sagrada Familia, it's the perfect place to visit if you're not one for crowds. Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Sitting atop Barcelona's Tibidabo Mountain, the tallest hill in the city, you'll find the Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús. One of the more recent creations on this list, having been built between 1902 and 1961 by father and son Enric and Josep Sagnier, it's no less beautiful and deserving of a visit. With elements of Neo-Byzantine, Neo-Romanesque, and Neo-Gothic elements, it's a wonderful and unique mix you won't find anywhere else. On the outside, you'll admire its intricate spires and the statue of Jesus that looks out over the city. On the inside, gaze up at its massive dome. La Catedral de Barcelona Arguably Barcelona's second most recognizable church, the Catedral de Barcelona is one of the city's largest tourist attractions. Standing tall in the city's delightful Gothic Quarter, only something as unique and alien as the Sagrada Familia can overshadow its beauty. You can even ascend to the top of the cathedral and look over the district from up on high. Built over the course of 150 years, you can see the different eras and styles within its design. Make sure to visit the crypt of Saint Eulalia, a prominent Christian martyr and the namesake for the church's alternative name, the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia. Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes Tucked away from Barcelona's tourist-heavy center, you'll find the Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes. Another of the city's 14-century creations, its simple design was ordained by the king at the time, Jaume II. Its Catalan Gothic trappings mimic the other churches on this list built during the same period. However, what Reial Monestir de Santa Maria de Pedralbes does boast is beautiful gardens surrounding the entire building. So, if you want to add a nice, green stroll to your visit, it's worth checking out. Sant Pau del Camp In the free-spirited district of El Raval, you'll find the oldest church in the entire city. Built over 1200 years ago, the Sant Pau del Camp started life as a Benedictine monastery, but has since become a place of worship for many in Barcelona. Given its age, it's the only church of its kind in the city, and has been restored multiple times. Having witnessed civil war, conflicts, and invasions, it's no wonder the church has needed some TLC over the years. It might not top this list for its fancy design or prominence, but it's absolutely one to visit for its history. Santa Maria de Montserrat This final entry might be a bit of a cheat as it's not technically in Barcelona, but just a short trip away, the Santa Maria de Montserrat absolutely deserves to be seen. You can make your own way there on public transport, but we'd recommend taking a stress-free guided tour up the mountain. Santa Maria de Montserrat is a monastery founded in the 11th century and rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it still functions with over 70 monks and is notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. You can head inside and look around, though, given its popularity, you may be waiting some time unless you get there early. There's also a nearby museum, where you can learn about the church's history. Easily one of the best churches in Barcelona, if you allow a little wiggle room on the subject. And that's our list of the best churches in Barcelona! Looking for more things to do and see on your vacation to the Catalan capital? Check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can experience all of Barcelona's best bits when and how you want.
Dom Bewley
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Adventurous Things to do in Barcelona

Is the monotony of real life getting you down? Ever feel like your weeks pass without any...excitement? That all changes now. Book your vacation to Barcelona, pack your most badass sunglasses, and read on. Because we've found the most adventurous things to do in Barcelona, and we've written them down just for you. Including: Segway swerving Cable climbing Escape escapades Watery wonders Wave warping and more!   Ciutadella Segway tour Adventure means many things to many people. For some, it may be deemed adventurous to try a new type of chip. Paprika flavor, or something equally exotic. But people like you, surely you're looking for something completely out of your comfort zone. How about traveling on two wheels while standing up? Now that's a segue...into Segway! Yes, you too can board your very own two-wheeled wonder and explore the beautiful Parc de la Ciutadella on this adventurous tour. And don't worry, if you've never operated this people magnet, you'll get a few lessons before burning off into the distance with your guide, at which point they'll impart key knowledge to keep your brain bulging all day. Learning and adventure? Say it isn't so.   Barcelona Cable Car Do you like getting high? As in, high above the ground? Do you dare put your life and safety in the hands of a cable car? Well, if you do, then you'll love hopping aboard the Montjuïc Cable Car - the easiest and safest way to make it to the top of one of Barcelona's most picturesque places. Built back when Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games, this 750m journey begins at Parc de Montjuïc before ascending - smoothly - towards Castell de Montjuïc. Look out the window, and you'll see stunning sights such as Gaudi's great Sagrada Familia. Then, explore the castle, snap some pics, and hop on to return back to terra firma. Heart-pumping, gravity-defying fun!   Illa Fantasia Waterpark Water; nature's life-giver. Over half of our bodies are made up of it. Hell, we need to drink it to survive. We should thank water. Every day. But that doesn't mean we can't have little fun with it. That's why you adventurous types should sprint down to Illa Fantasia Waterpark, where you can bodaciously ride some sick water slides. Alongside the park's 22 thrilling slides, you can also take on the wave pool, and then, when you want to take a break, grab a bite at one of the park's many restaurants. Adventure. Fun. All in one. So why not check it out if you're the daring sort?   Escape Hunt Barcelona Have you ever been stuck in a lift? It can be terrifying. No amount of button pushing, screaming, or door-banging can save you. You simply have to wait for maintenance to fix the issue. But, what if the lift was merely a challenge to overcome? What if there were a series of clues you had to solve to open the doors. Could you do it then? Why not put your supposed lift-escaping powers to the test at Escape Hunt Barcelona. Yes, despite our overly-complex explanation, we're talking about escape rooms! Just a stone's throw from Sagrada Familia, you'll find six challenging rooms with puzzles to solve, clues to discover, and ultimately, one exit you need to open. Can you solve the mystery of Gaudi and escape his artistic prison? Will you outsmart the Vampire of Barcelona's devious schemes? Can you break out of the School of Thieves? All of these questions, and more, will be answered when you head to Escape Hunt Barcelona! Oh, and the games can be played in English too, if you'd rather not make proceedings even harder than they already are.   Surfing Let's go back to the water for our next choice on the list - surfing. There are no two ways about it; surfing is cool. It looks cool, cool people do it, and the thrill of riding the waves probably feels cool, literally. We wouldn't know, as we barely have the stomach for such adventure. But you probably do! So why not get on the waves and show that water who's boss? Arguably the best place to catch waves in Barcelona is at Barceloneta Beach. So, if you've got the skills to pay the bills, feel free to grab a board, swim out, and get surfing! However, if you're a little green behind the ears and need a few pointers, why not try a surfing school? It's a great way to meet new people and make a fool of yourself while you learn. Then, when they least expect it, you can dazzle them with a flip or something. Now that's surfing!   Barcelona Bike Tour Another great way to see more of the city while getting your blood pumping - cycle tours are one of the best adventurous things to do in Barcelona. For three hours, your English-speaking guide will ride with you as you explore and learn all about the timeless city. Taking you through the likes of Old Town and the Raval Neighborhood, as well as riding past landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia and the Vila Olímpica, it's the perfect way to see the sights, catch some sun, and, more importantly, have fun! And don't forget your camera, because you can't pander to your 7 followers without taking a few snaps of your discoveries.   Scuba Diving Let's end this list on, you guessed it, the water! Who knew everyone's favorite drink could be so packed full of adventure! This time, we're going deep underwater to explore the seabed. That's right, baby, it's scuba diving! What's more thrilling than being stuck underwater breathing through an oxygenated tube? Nothing, nothing at all. You'll find plenty of diving schools throughout Barcelona, but if you want to err on the eco-friendly side, go with Underwater Barcelona. They pride themselves on being the only eco-diving company in town, so go check them out. They have a whole host of courses, services, and specialties on offer, so no matter your proficiency, they've got you covered. And those are our picks for the most adventurous things to do in Barcelona!
Dom Bewley

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