You’ve probably heard of the Picasso Museum or MacBa – the Contemporary Art Museum in the Raval. The most popular museum in Barcelona – measured in visitor numbers – is the FC Barça Museum. Not quite what you would expect. Even more surprising is the list of over 200 museums across Catalonia that are an expression of the history and culture across the territory.
Montjuic
There are a few museums and galleries located on Montjuic or close by. The Fundació Miro – or Miro Foundation is a spectacular building, with a great collection of Joan Miro’s paintings, visiting exhibitions that often justify the visit and fantastic views over the city.
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is found in an imposing building looking over Plaça España. Whilst the stairs up the hill look imposing, there are escalators to the side.
Before you climb up the stairs, it is worth visiting La Caixa Forum and the Mies Van de Rohe pavilion.
For those who are interested in archaeology, you should plan on a visit to the Archaeology Museum of Catalonia, which is also close by.
Old City – Raval, Gotico y la Ribera
In the Raval you can visit MacBa – the Contemporary Art Museum and the Centre de Cultura Contemporaneo which is just behind MacBa.
At the bottom of the Ramblas you will find the Museo Maritim de Barcelona – on the Raval side.
The Barrio Gotico also has a number of museums close to the Cathedral. The Museo Frederico Mares is found behind the cathedral. In this area, it is often enough to walk through the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter, explore the Calls of the old Jewish neighbourhood and search for remnants of the Roman wall.
On the northern side of Via Laietana you will find the Picasso Museum on Carrer Montcada.
Galleries
There are many galleries exhibiting and selling art in Barcelona. Some are very well established. Others are up and coming – opening in new areas and attracting new followers.
It’s not very helpful if you are given a list of over 400 galleries, or a break-down of the same list by neighbourhoods. A good place to start is with the established galleries in Career Consell de Cent, Career Valencia, Career Mallorca and Career Enric Granados. Select from the full list for Galleries in L’Exiample.