Discovering cultural treasures at the top museums in Barcelona

Barcelona is a vast city with a vibrant and colourful cultural scene that sparks creativity. The best museums in Barcelona are never too far from the centre, so if you are planning to visit Barcelona, you won’t have to travel far for your fix of art and culture. Not sure where to start? Here is our list of the top 10 places to immerse yourself in Barcelona’s creative spirit. Then, once you are all museum-ed out, restore your energy with a hearty plate of tapas, washed down with some local Catalan wine.

The Museu d’art Nacional de Cataluña is probably the most iconic of all of the Barcelona art museums and it isn’t too far from Barcelona’s city centre, in the direction of Montjuic. It’s a stunning building set in an impressive setting, with beautiful views out across the city. 

The museum was originally built for the International Exhibition of 1929 and has since become an emblematic landmark within the city. It’s home to a huge selection of Catalan art, from religious artwork to photography and there are always new temporary exhibitions to see.

This isn’t a museum in the traditional sense but is a fascinating insight into Spanish architecture. This famous museum in Barcelona is another creation for the 1929 Exhibition., not far from the National Art Museum of Catalunya. Inside the ‘Spanish village’ you can find a series of houses, each one built to represent a different region of Spain. As well as admiring the architecture, there are audio-visual experiences to give you an insight into the cultures, landscapes and cuisines of the different regions. Take a tour from Catalunya, to Galicia, and down to Andalusia, all without leaving Barcelona.

Anyone interested in the history of this turbulent area of Spain should visit the Museum of the History of Catalonia. They guide you through the region’s past, from the prehistoric to the modern day. The exhibits spark the imagination and invite you to an interactive journey through time so be sure to set aside at least a few hours if you want to be able to enjoy it at a leisurely pace. As far as history museums go, this is one of the top-rated museums in Barcelona for local history.

This centrally located museum was fully renovated and opened to the public in 2014. The Maritime Museum of Barcelona’s large permanent exhibition is well worth visiting in addition to the exciting temporary exhibitions that delight adventurous souls with stories of pirates and important sea-faring figures in Barcelona’s history. This museum gives you an insight into how the Mediterranean shaped the city and its importance to city life today. Did you know? The building itself was once much closer to the sea and was used to build galleys.

Calling all chocolate lovers. The Chocolate Museum Barcelona is one of the museums in Barcelona that you just cannot miss. Located inside a former monastery, the building itself offers an enchanting glimpse into the city’s fascinating past. Inside the museum, a permanent exhibition runs you through the history of chocolate in Europe, from when it first arrived on the continent right up to the modern day. They offer workshops too, so if you fancy making a truffle of your own then make sure you get yourself booked in.

If you are planning a romantic city break then the Museum Erotica Barcelona makes for a different, fascinating afternoon’s activity. With over 800 artefacts, it looks at how human sexuality has evolved across time and in different cultures. It is the first and only erotic museum in Spain, dating back to 1997 when it first opened its doors on La Rambla - one of Barcelona’s most famous neighbourhoods. Enjoy browsing all the art and curiosities housed here and learn about the evolution of sexuality within Spanish culture before heading out for a relaxing evening plan, just the two of you.

There are plenty of homages to this famous artist in the different cities he lived in, but the Picasso Museum in Barcelona is one of the most visited museums in Barcelona by art lovers. Born in Malaga, Picasso moved to Barcelona with his family when he was just 13. He moved around a lot during his life, but he always maintained a close link with Barcelona. 

Like many of the museums in Barcelona, there is an allocated time for free admission - in this case, Thursday afternoons. Discover stories and artefacts from the formative years of Pablo Picasso and witness the artist’s creative evolution through the paintings, drawings and etchings displayed within the museum. 

You can’t come here without visiting the Gaudi Museum, in Barcelona. Also known as ‘The Quarry’, this is one of Antoni Guadi’s most famous projects. It’s impressive from the outside, but you have to see it from the inside. The top floor is where you can learn about some of Gaud’s most famous designs, including La Sagrada Familia which have turned into some of Barcelona’s most famous lookouts. When visiting Casa Milà, don’t forget to look up. Gaudí paid special attention to designing the ceilings inside this property, many of which are inscribed with poetry. 

Dedicated to the avant-garde works of Joan Miró, the Fundación Joan Miró is a testament to the artist's surreal imagination. Located in Montjuïc with stunning views of the city, the building's design is as captivating as the artworks within. Sculptures, paintings, and drawings reveal Miró's unique contribution to 20th-century art.

For a hands-on exploration of science, CosmoCaixa is the place to be. The museum's interactive exhibits, planetarium, and rainforest simulation create an immersive learning experience for visitors of all ages. Discover what happened during the Big Bang, take part in interactive workshops or explore the mysteries of the jungle - all without leaving the city centre. If you cannot enjoy stargazing in one of Spain’s dark sky zones, this planetarium and science centre is one of the highly recommended museums in Barcelona for families and anyone with a curious mind.