When in Spain, you should take advantage of the many museums in Barcelona, from art and history to chocolate. I love a good museum, and Barcelona has plenty. Many of these museums are conveniently located near each other in the El Born neighborhood or on Montjuïc, and several offer free admission on Sundays (either in the afternoon or on the first Sunday of every month). So, if you’re looking to add things to your itinerary without breaking the bank, you’re in luck. Check out my recommendations for museums to visit in Barcelona:
Museum of History of Barcelona (MUHBA)/Museu de Historia de la Ciuatat
The Museum of History of Barcelona is conveniently located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic), tucked away behind the entrance to a bookstore. If you’re interested in the history of Barcelona, this is a must-visit. It features the largest Roman archaeological site outside Rome, including Barcino, and you can take a well-lit, well-explained tour of these well-preserved ruins. Regular admission costs €7, but you can get in for free after 3 PM on Sundays or with the Barcelona card. It was a great way to spend an hour or two, and it was mostly empty when we went. There are also guided tours available in multiple languages; a tour conducted in German was happening at the same time that we went.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
First opened in 1934 and located in the Palau Nacional of Montjuïc, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) hosts two floors of a wide range of artwork, encompassing Medieval Romanesque, Medieval Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque, and Modern art. They have a variety of exhibitions to explore as well. General admission costs €12, and they are closed on Mondays and some public holidays. They also offer free admission to the museum every Saturday after 3 PM, every first Sunday of the month, and open-door days, but early online admission is recommended for crowd control.
Chocolate Museum/Museu Xocolata
If you’re a lover of chocolate, visit Barcelona’s very own Museu de la Xocolata de Barcelona, or Chocolate Museum. I grew up going to HersheyPark in Pennsylvania, so I understand the appeal here. Located in the El Born district, this museum cements the city as one of the world’s chocolate capitals. They have unique exhibitions and tastings (of course), but they also do a lot of workshops, including a new chocolate milkshake workshop! They are open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 AM to 7 PM, and general admission tickets cost €7. Children under the age of six should be able to get in for free.
Moco Museum
The Moco Museum, with additional locations in Amsterdam and London, is a modern art museum also located in the historic El Born district, inside Palau Cervelló. Since it opened, this museum has featured artwork from artists like Warhol, Banksy, Basquiat, and more alongside up-and-coming artists. This is a really cool, vibrant, and immersive museum experience compared to most on this list, and it’s a fun thing to do with a group or with children, or even solo if you’re traveling alone. They are open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM, and adult tickets cost €16.95. Children under the age of six get in for free, and you can also do a combined ticket with Casa Batlló for €35. One tip: bring your own headphones, because you can get access to the guided audio tour for free!
Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona (MACBA)
If you’re looking for even more modern and contemporary art in Barcelona, check out the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona. They have a wide variety of art exhibitions on display, and you can wander for hours among the mesmerizing artwork. They are currently celebrating their 30th year, and they started working on the expansion of the MACBA at Convent dels Àngels last year. If you choose to do so, you can explore the museum at your own pace with their free digital guide, and they offer free admission on Saturdays after 4 PM.
Picasso Museum
Yet another museum on this list, the Museu Picasso (or Picasso Museum) is a must-visit for anyone who wishes to see more of the legendary painter’s work and is located in the El Born district. Picasso’s relationship with the city is strong; after being born in Malaga, he moved to Barcelona in 1895 with his family and lived there until 1904. You can explore the museum at your own pace, but guided tours are available only on Sundays and Tuesdays. The museum itself is closed on Mondays. Until September, they are open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 9 AM to 8 PM; and Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 AM to 9 PM. You can also explore the museum virtually or learn more about its history here.
Montserrat Museum
I highly recommend taking a day trip to Montserrat if you’re able to squeeze one into your itinerary, for many different reasons (with the monastery at the top of the list), but because you’ll also have time to visit the Museu de Montserrat. I did not have nearly enough time to walk through the spaces, and I almost missed the bus back to Barcelona, but I had so much fun getting lost in the different rooms and seeing the artwork, which included pieces from Monet, Caravaggio, Picasso, and Dalí. They are open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, and tickets cost €12. They also have audio guides available in Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German and Russian for an additional €2,20.
Did I miss any must-visit museums in Barcelona that are on your list? Let me know down below, and I’ll add them to my list of spots to visit next time!
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