Museums are great, but you might also want to explore the local sites. No problem! Pick your favorite museum (expect to spend there around 1h or 1.5h), and spend the rest of your time touring. Here are some great suggestions:

These descriptions might help you deciding which would be the perfect museums for you:

Picasso Museum. Many people are disappointed when they visit it on their own, because it’s specialized in the training period of the artist, and since most people aren’t familiar with Picasso’s early years it doesn’t look at all like they expected to see… What a PITY! Because, it’s actually a fascinating museum where there is a story behind every painting, and with a tourguide you’ll make sure to take the most out of it. Features a remarkable blue period collection and you’ll also discover (and understand) the Meninas series created by Picasso in the fifties. LOCATION: Old Town.

Miró Foundation. Our second favorite museum in town, where your tourguide will show you how to interpret (and enjoy!) his meaningful symbology. It’s the best collection worldwide on the works of this surrealist artist famous for his use of primary colors and simplified shapes. LOCATION: Montjuïc Hill.

MNAC. The largest Catalan Art Museum, for those interested in understanding the local art. Features one of the most impressive collections of Romanesque and Gothic paintings in the world. Interesting exhibit of local and international Renaissance and Baroque art. Extensive show of XVIII, XIX and beginning of the XX centuries paintings, sculptures, furniture and crafts. LOCATION: Montjuïc Hill. ATTENTION: This museum being really big, needs at least 2h for a fast-speed tour of the highlights, at least 1h to see one section in detail, or a whole morning (4h tour) to cover it completely.

Museum of History of the City. Not an “art” museum but a paradise for history and ancient stones lovers: a unique opportunity to explore an archaeological excavation. A stroll through the underground remains of the Roman, Paleochristian and Visigoth city, excavated under the Royal Palace of the Crown of Catalonia and Aragon. LOCATION: Old Town.

Museum of Modernism. Little known jewel displaying a gorgeous collection of modernist furniture in the street level. In the cozy basement the collection continues with selected sculptures, paintings and even some impressive stained glasses. LOCATION: Eixample district.

Other museums of interest:

Marès Museum. Frederic Marès was one of the most important sculptors in the Barcelona of the early 20th century, but apart from being an artist he was also a very dedicated collector. Being fascinated by the medieval art, the most important part of this museum is dedicated to Romanesque and Gothic sculptures, but it also covers other styles. The upper floors, instead, display what it is known as a “Collectors Cabinet” showing daily life objects of the old times.

MACBA, the Museum of Contemporary Art. Although it also gives a quick sample of the most renowned contemporary Spanish artist, the permanent collection of the MACBA is focused mostly in the emergent and the little-known (at least at an international level), and it usually occupies only one floor. The other two are generally used for temporary exhibits that change every few months, what makes it difficult for us to keep up with them. If you are interested in this museum, you’ll have to tell us at least one month ahead of time so we can prepare your visit as well as you deserve.

If you had any other museum in mind, but you didn’t see it in this list, please feel free to ask! The complete list of local museums would be too long to display here… but it doesn’t mean we can’t take you there!