Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
- http://www.mnac.es/
Palau Nacioanl, Monjuic, tel 93 622 03 75. Open: Tues-Sat 10am to
7pm; Sundays & holidays 10am to 2:30pm, Closed Mondays 
The National Museum of Catalan Art is one of the best museums of
its kind in the world. If you are interested in medieval art and
architecture you must visit this museum, renovated by architect Gae
Aulenti who did the Gare d’Orsay in Paris. Opinions vary widely on
the success of the renovation, but visitors are usually too busy
admiring the breathtaking 11th and 12th
century Romanesque apses, reconstructed precisely as if they were in
their original locations, to bother with the controversy.
The Gothic
collections are now coming online after extensive renovations. The
idea for this collection originated in the early architectural
national treasures in Catalonia was at its height. Catalan cultural
organizations and remote church paintings to this central location
where they were out of reach of unscrupulous art dealers and
collectors. The museum is housed in the extravagant National
Exhibition building built for the 1927 Barcelona World Fair, on the
mountain of Monyjuic. Ideally, you should visit in the late
afternoon so that when you leave you get to see the spectacular
Magin Fountain. There are escalators all the way up to make it
easier to get to.
Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)
Placa del Angels, Tel. 93 412 09 10
Open daily 11am-8pm; closed Tuesdays; Sundays & holidays: 10am-3pm
This recent museum of contemporary art, designed by Richard Meier, has been the subject of much controversy but is now considered one of Barcelona’s must see landmarks. The vivid contrast between Meier’s architectural concept and the surrounding historical buildings makes for a striking and stimulating situation. This museum shows mainly temporary exhibitions, with special attention paid to photography, video and graphic work, while it acquires the core of its permanent collection from purchases and donations. Some of the best exhibitions to be seen in Barcelona in recent years have been presented here. It has the makings of a great museum.
Museu d’Historis de Catalunya
Pl. Pau Vila
Open: Tues-Sat 10am-7pm Wed. Til 8pm; Sundays & Holidays, 10am to 2:30 pm. Closed Mondays
Occupying almost half of the late 19th century Palau de Mar building, this striking and brand new Museum of the History of Catalonia offers historical exhibits from several different perspectives. The permanent exhibition turns the visitor into the main character of a unique interactive experience during which objects and documents, historical recreations, audiovisual material and databases become the milestones of a fascinating journey through the history of this country. If you want to get a real handle of the complex history of Catalonia and Barcelona, this is a must see museum. Afterwards be sure to remember that the Palau de Mar Building is host to some of Barcelona’s best seafood restaurants.
Museu Picasso
Carrer de Montcada
Open: Tues-Sat 10am-8pm; Sunday 10am-3pm
This is one of Barcelona’s most visited museums and deservedly
so. Their collection of Picasso’s work is particularly strong in his
early period, with some of his school book sketches on display, and
strong works from his early days in Barcelona and Paris. The
spectacular series of Las Meninas (a visual study by Picasso of
Valazquez’s famous painting) is not to be missed! The collection is
housed in the two beautifully preserved Gothic palaces of Berenguer
Aguilar and Baron de Castellet on Carrer Montcada, poccibly
Barcelona’s most romantic street. The Picasso Museum has recently
expanded taking over adjacent medieval palaces to allow for better
exhibition space.
Casa-Museu Gaudi
park Guell, carretera del Carmel, Tel. 93 219-3811
Open daily 10am to 6pm (Oct-March)
til 8pm (April-Sep)
Antoni Gaudi lived in this house within the park which he created, the Park Guell, from 1905 to 1925. The displays consist of furniture he designed as well as quite a few drawings and projects. The house is surrounded by a very interesting garden. If you visit the Park Guell be sure to stop here.
Museu d’Historia de la Ciutathttp://www.bcn.fjmiro.es/
Placa del Rei Tel. 93 315-1111
Open: Teus-Sat 10am-8pm; Sundays & public holidays 10am-2pm
The City History Museum, located underneath one of Barcelona’s most beautiful squares, the Placa del Rei, is beautifully housed in a building that has archaeological remains in its basement, mostly from the Roman period. Good audiovisual shows are available as well. There is an excellent museum shop.
Fundacio Joan Miro
http://www.bcn.fjmiro.es/
Parc de Montjuic; Tel. 93 443-9470
Open: Tuesday to Saturday 10am-8pm; Thursday 10am-9:30pm; Sunday 10am-2:30pm
The Joan Miro Foundation holds one of the most complete collections of Miro’s work in the world. The beautiful building that houses this wonderful and whimsical collection was designed by Miro’s friend Sert. You will find sculptures, tapestries, paintings, drawings, and the artist’s complete graphic work, all exquisitely displayed. The Foundation presents exhibitions of contemporary art on a regular basis and they also offer contemporary music concerts and conferences.
Galerie Olimpica
Estadi Olimpic de Montjuic Tel. 93 426-9200
Open by prior booking Mon-Fri 10am-2pm and 4 to7
Permanent exhibition on the Games of the Barcelona ‘92 25th Olympiad and the 9th Paralympic Games. The location is very appropriate., the lower part of Olympic Stadium. There is an astonishing multimedia collection of all and everything to do with Barcelona’s Olympic Games, for Olympic enthusiasts this is a must visit museum.
Museum of Erotic Art
Ramblas, Tel. 93 318-9865
This very interesting and rather unique museum shows objects and images that have often been out of sight in regular museums. Their collection ranges from Greek and Roman objects depicting erotic scenes to 1920's posters. There is an important section off Eastern and Far Eastern art, with some unique pieces. The curatorial focus is historical, ethnic, and anthropological, and examines the influence that sex and eroticism has had on different would cultures and their social and artistic manifestations. Open daily from 11am to 9pm (Oct-May) and 10am until midnight from June-Sep. Entrance fee is 7,50E,; Students and Seniors get a reduced rate at 6,50E
Dali Escultor
Reital Cercle Artistic Building, Sala Guell
Open daily from 10am to 10pm
With a superb location adjacent to the Cathedral, this stunning exhibition space is fully dedicated to the polyfacetuc genius of Salvador Dali. The main focus is on his less well-known sculptural production, with about 60 works including the 44 from the Clot collection, created by Dali with his own hands starting from was models. Grouped by themes, the sculptures are complemented by drawings, etchings, lithographs and photos that establish the artists work, personality, obsessions, and historical moment for the viewer. Divided into ten distinct spaces and complementing the sculptures with close to 400 other works, including etchings, lithographs, 200 photographs, 40 drawings, as well as some singular objects
Barcelona & Mystic Dali
It is just now that 53 years ago, on October 19th, 1950, at the inauguration of the course of the Ateneu Barcelones that Dali gathered a "never before seen" amount of people to attend the conference he gave: "Why I was sacreligous, why I am a mystic." Twenty four years earlier, in 1930, in the same Ateneu he proclaimed a fanatical faith in Surrealism, scandalizing those who attended, called "Moral Position of Surrealism".In that conference he attacked Angel Guimera calling him "great pig, great pederast and immense rotten and hairy"> Angel Guimera (1845-1924) great Catalan playwright, who wrote "Terra Bauxa" in 1897 during the period when he was president of the Ateneu Barcelones. In 1950 Dali wants to clear up his images. He talks of his rebellious student days, of Surrealism and his alienation from it, and of his approach to mysticism and catholicism in art. Dali assured the audience at the Ateneu that Catholic Mysticism would experience a great surge in the next 50 years and that Spanish artists were obliged to pain religious works and achieve "the spiritual hegemony of our glorious imperialist tradition". In this period of 1950 Dali paints the 100 watercolors of the "Divine Comedy" and the well known work, also watercolor, "Coronation of Saint Salvador of Horta". Of a larger format than the other works (75 x 100cm) this is one of his top works, in this mode during that period. This watercolor, published in several books including "Psicodelic Dali" by Luis Romero, can be seen at the Reial Cercle Artistic along with close to 500 other works by the artist from the Ampurdan.
Museum
of Contemporary Art (MUSEO DE ARTE CONTEPORANEO) (Zone 3) - A comprehensive
collection of Spanish, Catalonian and European modern and contemporary
art housed in a stunning white building designed by architect Richard
Meier. It is hard to say what's the best thing about the museum--the
building or the art inside it or what it's done for its surrounding
neighborhood. Like other designs by Meier, this museum has a white
facade, these white surfaces are a trademark of his style. The museum's
collection includes pieces by some of the finest Spanish and Catalonian
artists, as well as Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Paul Klee, Claes
Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg and many others. Plaça Angels, 1
08001 Barcelona
Tel.: (+34) 93.4120810
| Fundacio Joan
Miro - Art Museum (Zone 3) The building is remarkably white and open to light with its green surroundings and panoramic views of the city. On the top floor terrace, views are exceptional. Sculpture are plentiful here, as well as on the grounds that encircle the Fundacio. This one of Barcelona's most impressive modern art museums. Location:Parc de Montjuic |
Erotic Museum (Zone 3) Another fascinating Barcelona museum with Interesting racy exhibits. Opened in 1997, this museum holds prize exhibits of Chinese and Japanese engravings, as well as interesting Kama Sutra illustrations, Japanese erotic drawings, and African phallic sculptures that emphasize the importance of sexuality in art throughout the ages. |
| OLYMPIC Gallery (Zone 3) A result from the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the Olympic Gallery is one of Europe’s few museums devoted entirely to sports. Exhibits include photos, costumes and memorabilia recalling crowds, pageantry and fame of the spectacle. Other exhibits include how the city prepared, videos of athletic events and archives. |
| Olympic Stadium, lower level. Tel. (93) 426-0660 |
| Museum of the History of Barcelona (Zone 1) |
| Barcelona's political history
and popular traditions are exhibited here. In the cellar there
are rests of Roman fortifications. Casa Clariana Padellàs. Plaça del Rei |
 Port
Olympic (Zone 2)- This part of the zone was built for entertainment
and leisure in 1988 for the 1992 Olympic Games, and has become
very popular place for people to come here to enjoy the
nightlife on offer in the bars, restaurants and dance clubs.
During the day it's busy with shoppers as well. |
Zoo (Zone 2)-Part
of the  7,000 animals from
over 500 different species. You can see dolphin shows and other aquatic
mammals performing. One of the most popular attractions is Copito de
Nieve (Snowflake),
the only albino gorilla in captivity. |
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Wax
Museum (Zone 2) Location: passatge de la banca 7 |
Textile Museum
(Zone 2) This museum depicts the history of fashion. It is house in a wonderful historical building which dates back to the Renaissance of Barcelona |
| Picasso Museum (Zone 2) |
| The Picasso Museum is
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, Location:C/Montcada (Closed on Mondays) |
| Museum of Ciudad (Zone 2) |
| Located in the former San Juan de Dios Hospital in the heart of the Old City, the Quito City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad) is a museum about the Ecuadorean captial's culture, with exhibits reflecting on daily life over the centuries. |
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Museum Monastery de
Pedrales (Zone 7)
Building dating back to the XIV century . Among other things it houses the collection (from the XIII to the XVIII century) THYSSEN BORNEMISZA. Location:Calle Baixada Monasteri 9 |
| Museum of the soccer team Club Barcelona (Zone 7) This is the most visited museum in Barcelona. The tour which is free, includes a photo gallery depicting the most important soccer teams which have played with Club Barcelona, and a tour of the playing field. |
| Location:Calle Aristides Malliol |
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