Barcelona has some fantastic art museums that art lovers will enjoy. The Picasso Museum is known for its extensive collection of paintings by the world-famous artist. Meanwhile, the Museum Nacional Art Catalunya (MNAC) offers a diverse range of art, spanning from ancient masterpieces to contemporary works. The Joan Miró Foundation showcases the artistic genius of Joan Miró and is situated on a hill, offering breathtaking vistas. These museums exemplify Barcelona’s enduring passion for art and its rich artistic diversity. I picked for you 5 top Art Museums of Barcelona, let’s go!
Picasso Museum
Picasso Museum located in the Gothic quarter. One of the most popular and interesting museums in Barcelona. The museum was opened in 1963 and presents 4251 Picasso’s works. Here you will learn about life and creativity of Picasso, and his early works. The idea of opening a museum of Picasso in Barcelona belongs to Picasso himself. There you can find paintings from Picasso first visiting Barcelona, when he was only 14 years old. Picasso returned to Barcelona several times; the last visit was in 1934 when the civil war began. He was against Franco’s regime which forced him to leave. Museum of Picasso has wonderful courtyard, I highly recommend to capture it in your sketchbook. Book tickets ahead here.
How do you get to Museum Picasso?
Use google maps for the best route.
National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC)
The National Art Museum of Catalonia located in the building of the National Palace. Palace was built in 1929 for the Universal Exhibition on the foot of the Montjuic mountain. But the museum was opened only in 1990. Its collection includes about 236,000 works and span a thousand years of Catalan, Spanish and European art history. From Romanticism, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque to the middle of the 20th century. The Romanesque collection is considered one of the best in the world. It has unique Romanesque frescoes, some of them from the 12th and 13th centuries. The museum collection includes many paintings on the wood and wood sculptures. Book your MNAC ticket in advice.
How do you get to National Art Museum of Catalonia?
Use google maps for the best route.
Joan Miro Foundation
The museum of Joan Miro is located on the hillside of Montjuic, behind the National Palace. It was opened to the public in June 1975. The idea of opening the museum came from Joan Miro himself. The building was built by the architect Joseph Lewis Sert. This museum contains works of Joan Miro which belong to contemporary art. Collection includes 300 paintings, 150 sculptures, 9 textile works and 8000 paintings of Miro from different periods. You can find here his famous works “Woman encircled by a flight of birds in the night”, sculpture “The caress of the bird”. If you are in love with colorful abstractions, you will enjoy this museum and Joan Miro art. Book your ticket here.
As I mentioned before, the museum is located on Montjuic mountain. There are a lot of things to do! Read my post about things to do in Montjuic to learn more about it.
How to get to Joan Miro Foundation?
Use google maps for the best route.
Virreina Palace
If you love image and photography, you should visit Virreina palace. Here you will find exhibitions and activities belonging to photography and image, still or moving. The palace was built during 1772-1778 for Manuel d’Amat i de Junyent in the style of baroque and rococo. The name of the palace was given in regards to Manuel d’Amat’s wife, Virreina. Carles Grau was the architect and sculptor of the place. The palace located on famous La Rambla avenue. Also it’s a great opportunity to sketch this beautiful building and capture it in your sketchbook. Admission is free. For more information visit official site.
How to get to Virreina Palace?
Use google maps for the best route.
Arts Santa Mònica
The focus of Arts Santa Mònica is digital art. Museum was opened in 1988 and hosts contemporary art. It contains art of Spanish and around the world artists. Exhibitions refer to many disciplines such as architecture, performing arts, visual arts, music, literature, design, gastronomy etc. Exhibitions located in different spaces in the building on La Rambla avenue. Admission is free. For more details visit official site.
How to get to Arts Santa Monica?
Use google maps for the best route.
These were my top 5 art museums recommendation in Barcelona. Of course there more places you can visit. Suggest you to read my post about Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona, these masterpieces are museums by themselves.
