Best Museums in Barcelona

This blog post was originally posted on January 7, 2015, and was updated on October 4, 2017.

There are so many beautiful and historical museums to visit in Barcelona. If you want to dive into some of the best read on for some of our favorite ones to visit!

Whether you are a fan of Picasso or Miró or you would love to learn about Barcelona’s seafaring history, there is a museum here for everyone. Perhaps you just simply want to check out some modernist art and architecture or feed your curiosity. Whichever it is, look no further than this great list! If you are looking for the best museums in Barcelona make sure you check out our favorites!

Picasso Museum

One of the most popular attractions of Barcelona, the Picasso Museum has a strong focus on the artist’s earlier works. Not to mention, his Blue Period, as well as impressionist influences between Paris and Barcelona at the beginning of the 20th century. On the other hand, the collection documents in large, Picasso’s life and travels. The museum is located on Montcada Street in the Born neighborhood. It is by far one of the best museums in Barcelona to visit.

Address: Carrer de Montcada, 15-23

Caixa Forum

This museum was a former modernist factory. However, it was converted to an architectural sanctuary. Therefore, visiting the building alone is worth the trip. You can find it near Plaza España at the foot of Montjuic. The Caixa Forum also housed the Spanish National Police Calvary Unity between 1940 and 1993. With a jam-packed agenda of art, music and educational offerings, the program here is constantly changing. Furthermore, no two visits are ever the same.

 Address: Avenida Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 6-8

Museo Maritím de Barcelona

Barcelona’s prosperity during medieval times can largely be attributed to seafare. Nonetheless, next to Picasso and Gaudí, the Maritime Museum of Barcelona is not as popular. Furthermore, it is, unfortunately, one that often goes overlooked by tourists.

Inside the medieval shipyards, the museum’s building is an incredible artifact of Barcelona and the only place where the old city walls are still standing. The main hall displays an enormous replica of a 60-meter long royal galley. Just imagining what it took to move this thing is quite impressive.

Address: Avinguda de les Drassanes, S/N

MACBA

The MACBA,  Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona or the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is a must for contemporary and abstract art lovers. This fantastic place opened in 1995. It was one of the many buildings that came out of the architectural boom. The collection focuses on post-1945 Spanish and Catalan art. Furthermore, the museum also exhibits some international artists as well.

The building and its surroundings have become a symbol of urban culture and a meeting point for young people in Barcelona. If you have time, check out what’s going on at the CCCB. The Contemporary Cultural Center of Barcelona is right behind the MACBA. A huge space with an impressive offer of cultural fare. Here, you can be sure there is something to see on any given day of the week.

Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1

Fundació Joan Miró

The artist’s gift to Barcelona, the Fundació Joan Miró is a beautiful white-washed museum tucked away in the shrubbery of Montjuic. Here you can follow the transition of Miró’s work, from relative realism eventually evolving into his own signature style. The collection includes early sketches from notebooks and scraps of old newspaper. There is also a number of temporary exhibits from contemporary artists.

Address: Parc de Montjuïc

Fundació Antoni Tàpies

On a busy street of the Eixample district lies a building that many consider the prototype of Modernism. It was also the first to be built on an iron frame. The museum is dedicated to promoting the knowledge of contemporary and modern art and was created by Tàpies himself. They also own the largest collection of the late painter, sculptor and art theorist’s works. This is definitely one of the best museums in Barcelona.

Tàpies is also known for expressing political messages in his work. He was famous for having greatly opposed Francoism. He was also one of the most important artists to emerge after World War II. This makes the Fundació Antoni Tàpies a truly interesting place and possibly one of the best museums in Barcelona.

Address: Carrer d’Aragó, 255