Barcelona
Museums
Barcelona hosts more than 35 museums, with interests ranging from
the racy exhibits of the Museu de l’Erotica, to more historic sites, such
as the fortress of the Museu Militar de Montjuic. Following are some
of the city’s more popular museums, including addresses, hours, and admission
charge if available.
• Museu de la Xocolata
The Chocolate Museum is a tasty showcase of Barcelona’s local confectionary
guild. Among its many cocoa creations, the museum features chocolate
miniatures of Gaudi’s Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, as well as informative
presentations on the history of everyone’s most delicious indulgence.
C/ Comerc, 93 268 78 78
M, W-Sat: 10-7, Sun: 10-3, Closed Tuesdays
Admission: Free
• Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Officially declared a national museum in 1990, the MNAC is housed in
the grand Palau Nacional, which was built for the 1929 exposition.
This museum features one of the world’s finest collections of Romanesque
mural paintings, as well as reconstructed church interiors including
frescoes, altarpieces, carvings and sculptures. In addition to the
MNAC’s permanent exhibition of works by Spanish artists such as Goya
and El Greco, there is an impressive collection of Gothic paintings
by some of the most important painters within the Catalan School from
the 14th and 15th centuries.
Parc de Montjuic
Tue-Sat: 10-7, Sun: 10-2:30
Admission: Free
• Museu de Cera
Barcelona’s wax museum.
Passatge de la Banca, off the foot of the Ramblas
• Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona
The MACBA is composed of art produced over the last fifty years, along
with works connected to the avant-garde movements from the turn of
the century.
C/ Angels Montalegre
M, W-Fri: 11-7:30, Sat: 10-8, Sun: 10-3, Closed Tuesdays
Admission: 3-7 euros
• Museu de l’Erotica
Opened in 1997, this petite museum holds a prize exhibit of Chinese and
Japanese engravings, as well as interesting Kama Sutra illustrations,
Japanese erotic drawings, and replicas of African phallic sculptures
that emphasize the importance of sexuality in art throughout the ages.
Open October- May: 11-9, June- Sept: 10-12
• Fundacio Miro
The Miro foundation, opened in 1975, was a gift from the well-known contemporary
artist, Joan Miro, and is one Barcelona’s most impressive displays
of modern art.
Montjuic, Av. Miramar
93 329 19 08
Tues-Wed & Fri- Sat: 10-7, Thurs: 10-9:30, Sun: 10-2:30
Admission: 5 euros
• Museu de Ciencies Naturals
This museum encompasses both the Museu de Zoologia Historia Natural,
with its collection of over 85 thousand invertebrates, 800 arthropods,
and 18,000 vertebrates, housed in the Castell dels Tres Dragons (originally
built as a café for the 1888 World Fair), as well as the Museu
de Geologia, which features over 10,000 rock specimens from Catalonia,
Spain, and around the world.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Fri-Wed: 10-2, Thurs 11-6:30
Admission: 3 euros
• Museu Picasso
The Picasso Museum, internationally renowned, and housed in three adjoining
medieval palaces, displays the largest collection of Picasso’s early
works, including childhood sketches, engravings, lithographs, and pottery.
The museum’s best known work, however, is Las Meninas, Picasso’s Cubist
variations on the famous work of the same name by the father of Spanish
painting, Valazquez.
C/Montcada
Tue-Sat: 10-8
Sun: 10-3
Admission: 4.50 euros
• Museu Militar de Montjuic
Located inside an 18th century Barcelona fortress, the Military Museum
features an impressive collection of weapons dating from the 15th century
to present day, as well as a 20,000 piece display of miniatures, castle
models, and lead soldiers.
• Museu Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombi
This small but impressive museum, located in the Nadal Palace, holds
a prestigious collection of tribal and ancient art from the Americas,
Asia, and the Pacific, including sculptures, masks, pottery, gold,
silver, and jewels.
C/Montcada
Tues-Sat: 10-6, Sun & holidays: 10-3
Admission: 3 euros
• Museu Maritim
With a large collection of model ships, including a full-size replica
of Juan de Austria’s Lepanto slave gallery, the Maritime Museum is
a must-see for boat lovers and Barcelona history enthusiasts.
Av. De les Drasanes
• Museu Egipci
Belonging to the Fundacio Arqueologica Clos, this collection of Ancient Egyptian
art includes over 400 sarcophaguses, funerary steles, and busts from throughout
the different Pharaoh periods.
Av. De Catalunya
Mon-Sat: 10-8, Sun: 10-2
Admission: 5.50 euros
• Museu d’art Modern
The Modern Art Museum features a large collection of paintings, sculptures,
drawings, engravings, and decorative objects by Catalan artists from
the 19th and 20th centuries. Included are works from Catalan artists
related to the modernist movement such as, Fortuny, Rusinol, Gaudi,
and Homar.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Tues-Sat: 10-7, Sun & public holidays: 10-2:30
Admission: 3 euros
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