2 days in Barcelona: art, history, and museum magic

Sant Pau is one of Europe’s largest Art Nouveau complexes and not to be missed when you’re visiting Barcelona.There’s plenty to explore here – striking buildings, manicured gardens, and permanent exhibitions. Take a self-guided tour and learn about the sights as you pass them. You'll be provided with a handy map to help guide you around the stunning site.This complex celebrates architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner's most important work and, on this tour, you’ll journey through the history of the urban development and explore this renovated complex of 12 buildings. Aside from the architecture, there’s everything from underground tunnels, mosaics, and exhibitions to keep you busy for hours.

Located in the heart of Montjuïc, within walking distance of the iconic fountain, is Poble Espanyol – an open-air, architectural museum that recreates the soul of Spanish culture, art and cuisine.Here you'll find recreations of 117 buildings, streets, and squares from around Spain. Stroll through a typical Andalusian neighborhood, a Romanesque monastery, and many more buildings and museums.You'll also find plenty of immersive installations and art displays. Discover the landscapes and traditions of Spain, get a feel for the popular festivals, and browse over 300 pieces of contemporary art including work by Picasso, Miró, and Dalí. Poble Espanol is also a great place for picking up souvenirs, with over 20 expert craftsmen working onsite and producing everything from glass and leather to jewelry and guitars.

The first stop on our Picasso tour is outside the Els Quatre Gats Restaurant. This beautiful modernist building was a gathering spot for artists and is where Picasso first started to exhibit his genius.Moving on from there, you’ll soon find yourself outside Sala Parès. This gallery was once a paint shop and is where some of Picasso’s first works were exhibited. You’ll learn about how the gallery has changed over the years from your expert tour guide.As you continue the tour, you'll pass by what was once the location of a brothel, whose workers inspired one of Picasso's most famous paintings, as well as the building that once hosted the Fine Arts Academy where the artist studied as a teenager. As you journey through the Old Town, you’ll hear plenty of stories about the artist’s life and career before arriving at the Picasso Museum. Your guide will leave you there to enjoy the museum at your own pace, but will give you plenty of advice on what to look out for during your self-guided tour.As you journey through the museum, you’ll learn about the special relationship Picasso had with Barcelona and how the city shaped his art.

Discover the recently renovated Barcelona Wax museum. New backdrops, new figures and now with the latest technology to create an experience you won't forget.Hidden in the heart of Barcelona's Las Ramblas you'll find the new Barcelona Wax Museum. Get up close to 160 recognizable faces, from modern celebrities like Messi, Rosalia and Billie Eilish to historical heroes like Picasso and Don Quixote. Get the perfect picture in carefully created sets from iconic shows Money Heist, Star Wars and over 20 others!Once you're finished in the museum, don't miss the spell-binding El Bosc de Les Fades, an enchanted-forest-themed bar that offers a magical oasis in the center of the city.

Use your pass to get combined entry to all museums within the Big Fun Museum complex, including the marvellous Museum of Illusions!Inside the Big Fun Museum, you can forget reality for a moment as you shrink down to experience the Giant's House (climb inside a giant shoe or take a rest in a teaspoon!) and delight in delicious-looking food art such as giant jellybeans and doughnuts as well as paintings made using fruit and vegetables!At the Museum of Illusions, prepare to have your mind play tricks on you as you immerse in beautiful 3D paintings by top artists in Barcelona. You'll look as though you can pet a dinosaur, lean out on the Grand Cannon, be beamed up into a spaceship and fly with angel wings!This whimsical wonderland is not to be missed on your trip to Barcelona.

Located in historic Palacio Cervelló - the former residence of the noble Cervelló family - Moco Museum showcases a huge range of artwork, from experimental immersive displays to paintings by world-class artists.Stroll around this historic site and browse pieces by Banksy, Salvador Dalí, David LaChapelle, Andy Warhol and more. You'll also find modern and contemporary exhibits by rising stars in the art world, combining technology and new immersive techniques. A must-see for culture buffs visiting Barcelona. 

See one of Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces up close with a trip to La Pedrera.This striking building was built between 1906 and 1912 and is noted for its unique shape and façade. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cultural center, as well as a symbol of Catalan Modernisme, the Catalan Art Nouveau period.There’s so much to see inside and out of this fascinating building. It’s known for its unique façade of undulating limestone which resulted in the ‘stone quarry’ moniker. See the large windows and intricate wrought-iron balconies, then head up to the roof terrace - one of the most spectacular parts of this building. You’ll see the imposing chimneys which are reminiscent of twisted, standing soldiers, along with six stepping skylights.Due to the building’s conceptual design, Gaudí created furniture, especially for Casa Milá. You’ll see the modernist style up close, fitting perfectly into the curves and waves of the walls and rooms that Gaudi designed.Your ticket to La Pedrera also includes a free kid's audio guide to make exploring the building fun and exciting for little ones. The unique and innovative commentary will introduce boys and girls to the world of architecture and is available in Catalan, Spanish, English, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Russian, Japanese, and Korean.