Apart from having a great social and culinary scene, Barcelona also houses some of the top museums in Spain. From art to history and a lot more in between, let’s take a look at some of the best museums in Barcelona.
Museu Picasso
This may seem like an obvious choice, but you cannot visit Barcelona without seeing it’s most famous export and his works. This museum showcases the work produced by Picasso as he was studying at a nearby art school. You can clearly see Picasso’s development through the years, although the museum does not house some of his more famous Cubist paintings. Many of the paintings were donated to a close friend of his, who then opened the museum. Therefore, you will get a clear insight into the artistic process by one of Spain’s best-loved artists. One of the best museums in Barcelona, Museu Picasso will not disappoint.
National Art Museum of Catalonia
This is one of the best museums in Barcelona for it’s sheer breadth of works by Catalonian artists. The collections span from the 12th to 17th centuries, and now also contains works from the former Museum of Modern Art. The most famous exhibition is that of Romanesque murals which were requisitioned from some abandoned churches. The murals depict religious life in the villages of Catalonia during the tenth century and are truly spectacular. There are also exhibitions containing some Old Masters, Gothic artwork and a wonderful collection from Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Museu Maritim
If art is not to your liking, you can visit one of the best museums in Barcelona for history. The maritime museum has a selection of temporary as well as permanent exhibits and has been recently renovated. You can see models of ships that were built in the harbour of Barcelona, as well as hear tales of derring-do in high seas. Barcelona’s culture revolves around it’s proximity to the sea and much of it’s history is related to maritime history. The location of this museum is also excellent, as it is right next to Las Ramblas, in the heart of Barcelona.
CosmoCaixa
This museum is one of the best museums in Barcelona for a family-friendly excursion. The focus is on science, and the museum has many displays of astrology, geology and geography. Many of the exhibits are interactive for children and it has a Planetarium, with several performances each day. The focus here is really on children, so it is a wonderful excuse to pack in some education on your trip.
La Sagrada Familia
Although it is not one of your typical museums in Barcelona, it is definitely worth a visit. The cathedral has been in construction since 1882 and is the most popular tourist destination in the city. The museum inside the cathedral displays the origin, history and development of the building. You can also discover a lot of information about Gaudí himself. You can also see a model of what the Sagrada Familia will look like once it is completed. It is well worth buying tickets in advance, as the cathedral is extremely busy and popular with tourists.
Camp Nou
For the football lovers amongst us, it is necessary to visit Camp Nou, the home of Barcelona FC. This is arguably one of the more interesting museums in Barcelona, if only for it’s collection of sports memorabilia, some of which is more than 100 years old. You can also access the pitch and changing rooms with one of the entry tickets. The museum is a must if you are interested in football, and it is a great place to gain an insight into one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks.
The best museums in Barcelona and more
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