When you think of Barcelona, first you can think about are the sunny streets, stunning architecture or a city beaches. Yet the Catalan capital also has a host of exciting museums for visitors looking for an incredible cultural experience. Among the best museums in Barcelona are those with focus on art and science. On this page you will find the best museums in Barcelona.
The National Art Museum of Catalonia is located on Montjuic, housed in the National Palace built in 1929. The museum was opened in 1990. First visitors entered in 1995 with the Romanesque Art exhibition. Since 1997, the museum has a section for gothic art, and since 2000 it has a collection with Renaissance art. There are also wood carving exhibits, as well as frescos. Presumably the most diverse and most comprehensive collection of Catalan art in the world, the items vary from Romanesque murals and religious paintings to examples of Catalan modernism and photographs – not to mention the amazing view the museums offers from the front stairway.
The Picasso Museum expands over five villas that follow the Gothic style. The museum is located on Moncada street in the old town, founded in 1963. It was proposed by Picasso’s friend, Jaume Sabartes. It is one of the most popular museums in Barcelona, and it is a home to both of some less known works as well as to those that document the time Picasso spent in the city. Picasso was born in Malaga, and he and his family moved to Barcelona when he was 13, so the city played an important role in his development as an artist. Even though he would go on and move from town to town throughout his life, he stayed closely connected to Barcelona; this museum was opened on his explicit insisting, following his death.
CosmoCaixa is a less known science museum in Barcelona. It is located in Sarria-Sant Gervasi district. There are different exhibitions, both temporary and permanent ones, that depict science, nature, environment. The museum’s building is as fascinating as the museum’s contents. The first thing that will catch your attention upon arriving as the giant “Tree of Life”. “The Universe Hall” is a part of the museum’s exhibition where visitors may learn more about the universe and its evolution since the Big Band up to this day. Geological Wall consists of seven large cuts of a genuine rock that enable us to interpret the world’s geology.
The Barcelona Music Museum - The museum has a large collection of music instruments. There are instruments that date back to the ancient civilizations, as well as instruments from modern ages. With 2.000 exhibits, through their history, origin and use, visitors get introduced to large world’s and Spanish music heritage. One of the world’s best guitar collection is in the museum – children and students, the elderly, musicians as well as enthusiast come there to see it.
The Virreina Palace - Situated on the famous La Rambla avenue, today it houses the headquarters of the city council's Culture and hosts various temporary art exhibitions and cultural events. This, as well as every architecturally well designed building in Barcelona belongs to Modernism. It was built in the period between 1772 and 1778. It belonged to Manuel d'Amat i de Junyent, who was Viceroy of Peru. It was named after his wife’s title, who was a Virreina. The palace was built in a style between baroque and rococo, and it was designed by Carles Grau.
