Barcelona is so full of museums that one could spend weeks exploring them all in depts, probably months in MORE depth. Barcelona's art museums range from the classic and traditional to the contemporary and just plain WILD! Other museums are collections of great archeological finds and historical remnants and others keep great collections of THINGS like trains or other unusual things. Let's begin to explore them below.

Here, we'll explain Barcelona's Museums and right art history including the works of Antonio Gaudí, Joan Miró, and Salvador Dalí among them. Barcelona's Museums carry some of the worlds most spectacular works of art and Catalán Art incluences the whole of Spain and the world to a certain degree. While this page is in development, feel free to DISCUSS Barcelona-related topics on the ALL SPAIN Message Board.

MUSEU DEL TEMPLE EXPIATORI DE LA SAGRADA FAMÍLIA - Sagrada Familia Museum

website: http://www.sagradafamilia.org
Carrer Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
Phone: 932 073 031
Opening time: October to March: 9h-18h; April to September: 9h-20h
Price: 8 Euros for Adults, combined admission for Temple Sagrada Família + Casa-Museu Gaudí (Park Güell) is 9 Euros and can be purchased at either of the two sites - valid 1 month. Elevator/Lift price: 2 Euros additional
Transport: Metro: Sagrada Familia (L2-L5) Bus: 19, 33, 34, 43, 44, 50 & 51 Recorrgut, Bus Turístic: Red Route = North Route (vermenlla)

Located in Barcelon's Eixample district, you'll find the Sagrada Familia Museum in the cathedral's cypt. The museum details the evolution of the design and construction of this enigmatic Antonio Gaudí-designed structure, recognized throughout the world as an excellent example of the Modernist Art revolution. One can see original works by Gaudí, plans and blueprints of the Sagrada Familia project, photos of the differnt stages of its construction, as well as mock-up models of the Sagrada Familia. This museum is a MUST-SEE as part of a visit to and UP INTO Antonio Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia.

CASA MUSEU GAUDÍ - Gaudí House Museum
website: http://www.casamuseugaudi.org
Ctra. del Carmel, s/n. Park Güell, 08024 Barcelona
Phone: 932 193 811
Opening time: Oct.-March : 10am-pm & April-September: 10am-7 pm
Price: 4 Euro.
Transport: Metro: Lesseps (L3); Alfons X (L4) Bus: 24, 25 Bus Turístic: Red Route = North Route

Located inside the Antonio Gaudi "Theme Park" (i.e. his own "theme") is the Casa-Museu Gaudí. This house, designed by Francesc Berenguer - one of Gaudí's helper architects - was finished in 1905 and was one of the three buildings built with the intention that new settlers in the area would build new buildings using the same "model". In 1906 Antonio Gaudí himself moved into this very house and where he lived until a few months before his death in 1926. Later that same year, the house was sold and the monies made was invested in the building of another famous Antonio Gaudía project: La Sagrada Familia. Buying the Gaudí house in Park Güell were a well-to-do Italian couple. The husband, Chiappo Arletti, whom greatly respected Gaudí and this now-famous house, kept some of the furniture and made few changes to the original house's decoration. After their death, the family of Chiappo Arletti transferred ownership to the "Amics de Gaudí" association ("Friends of Gaudí") in 1960 and in 1963 became a museum dedicated to Antonio Gaudí. A large collection of Gaudí-designed furniture can be seen as well as personal accomplishments and personal items.

CASA MILÀ or LA PEDRERA
website: http://www.fundaciocaixacatalunya.org
Entrance Carrer Provença, 261-265, 08008 Barcelona (NOTE: also faces Passeig de Gràcia)
Phone: 934 845 900 & 902 400 973
Opening time: Mon-Sun: 10 am - 7.30 pm
Price: 8 Euros for adults, reduced admission (4.50 Euros) for students, senior citizens from the European Union & the unemployed
Transport: Metro: Diagonal (L3) Bus: 7, 16, 17, 22, 24, 28, Bus Turístic: both Blue Route & Red Route

The Casa Milà, also popularly known as "La Pedrera" (Catalán for stone quarry), is where the Centre Cultural Fundació Caixa Catalunya has is offices. The Casa Milà is an emblematic, Barcelona architectural jewel designed by the famed Antoni Gaudí and is a definite "MUST SEE" when visiting Barcelona. Industrialist Pere Milà commissioned Gaudí to construct a building on the boundary of Barcelona City and Gràcia Village. The intent was for the family to live on the ground floor while renting out the upper floors. Completed in 1912, the building's facade appeared to be carved out of rock so the building was nicknamed "La Pedrera". Visitors can see three parts of the building: the eary, darkened attic or Espaí Gaudí, which features a highly illustrative exhibition about the architect's work; the wavel-like rooftop showing the famous "chimmey pots" or ventilation stacks with skull-like tops; and the Gaudí apartment. (IMPORTANT NOTE: The Espai Gaudí is partially closed until November 30, 2006 for renovations) The first floor gallery keeps temporary exhibitions to which entrance is free. In 1984, UNESCO declared the building a World Heritage site.La Pedrera is inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

EL POBLE ESPANYOL DE BARCELONA - Spanish Village of Barcelona
website: http://www.poble-espanyol.com
Av. Marquès de Comillas, 13, 08308 Barcelona
Phone: 935 086 300
Opening time: Mon: 9-20h.; Tue, Wed and Thu: 9-2h.; Fri and Sat: 9-4h.; Sun: 9-24h
Price: 7 Euro for adults and 4 Euros for children (7-12 years old)
Transport: Metro: Plaza Espanya (L8) Bus: 13, 50, Bus Turístic: Blue Route = South Route

"Poble Espanyol" is Catalán for "Spanish Village" and THIS Poble Espanyol is a rather complete collection of architectural representations of the different regions and cities of Spain. These representations include folkloric performances, "typical" street activities, craftsman work, foods, markets, and ceramic and glassworks. Built in 1929 as part of the International Exhibition, the Poble Espanyol's architects believed that upon the closure of the exhibition the entire village would be destroyed and removed. But much to the delight of these followers of Gaudí's modernista -Catalan art nouveau- movement, it was left standing and became a popular tourist destination to all of Barcelona's visitors. The same region of Barcelona, the foot of Montjuïc, had since become the location for many of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics sporting events.

JARDÍ BOTÀNIC DE BARCELONA - Barcelona Botanical Gardens
website: http://www.jardibotanic.bcn.es
Dr. Font i Quer, 2 (Parc de Montjuïc) 08038 Barcelona
Phone: 934 264 935
Opening time: Apr-June and Sept: Mon to Fri. 10 am- 5 om, weekends and public holidays: 10 am to 8 pm / Jul and Aug: Mon to Sun 10am-8 pm / Oct to Mar. Mon-Sun. 10 am - 1 pm
Price: 3 euros. admission free last Sunday in the month
Transport: Metro: Line 1 & Line 3 (Espanya) Bus: 50

The Barcelona Botanical Gardens are located on a gentle grade of Montjuïc park and perfect for relaxing, tranquil walks. Located therein, one can discover a collection of vegetation from 5 Mediterranean-like climates including those of the Mediterranean basin, Chile, South Africa, Austrialia, and California. The vegetation has been situated in the gardens in a manner to represent or recreate their natural ecosystems.

MUSEU MARÍTIM - Drassanes Reials de Barcelona - Maritime Museum of Barcelona
website: http://www.museumaritimbarcelona.org
Av. de les Drassanes, s/n, 08001 Barcelona
Phone: 933 429 920
Opening time: Mon-Sun :10am - 8pm.
Price: Admission :6 Euro 1st Saturday of month : free the afternoon
Transport: Metro: Drassanes (L3) Bus: 14, 18, 36, 38, 57, 59, 64 & 91. Bus Turístic: Blue Route = South Route

The Museu Marítim is located at the bottom of Las Ramblas and to the "left" of the Christopher Columbus tower statue in the "Reials Drassanes" medieval shipyards. The building itself is an excellent example of Gothic Civil architecture and exhibits the history of maritime endeavors.

MUSEU D'HISTORIA DE LA CIUTAT (MHCB) AND THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SUBSOIL - City History Museum of Barcelona

website: http://www.museuhistoria.bcn.es
Plaça del Rei s/n, 08002 Barcelona
Phone: 93 315 11 11
Opening time: 1 October to 31 May - Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 2pm and from 4pm to 8pm; 1 June to 30 September - Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 8pm; Sundays and holidays - from 10am to 3pm. Closed Mondays. Annual closing days are 1 January, 1 May, 24 June and 25 December
Price: 4 Euros; 2.50 € for students under 25, youth card, the unemployed, large families, pensioners with a green card; Free of charge for children under 16, pink card pensioners, ICOM members, tourist guides, members of the Association of Museum Specialists of Catalonia, & teachers accompanying groups
Transport: Metro: Jaume I (L4) Bus: 17, 19, 40, 45. Bus Turístic: Blue Route = South Route

The Monumental Ensemble of the Plaça del Rei is just one part of The Barcelona City History Museum collection. This "Monumental Ensemble" is made up of the 11th century Palau Condal ("Count's Palace") which later became the Royal Palace. This palace was the residence of the Catalonia & Aragon kings, where the Tinell Hall & 14th century palace chapel of Saint Agatha are important. Later in the 16th century the lookout tower of King Martin was constructed. At the beginning of the 20th century the monumental ensemble was completed when the Gothic palace of Padellàs House was moved to the Plaça del Rei. BELOW the Plaça del Rei square is a MUST-SEE visit to the 4,000 square meter archaeological site displaying the 1st century B.C to 8th century A.D. Roman colony ruins as well as noting the Episcopal ensemble of Barcino. IMPORTANT NOTE: bags and cameras are not allowed in the museum and must be placed in a lockers (1 Euro per use) before entering.

MUSEU FUTBOL CLUB BARCELONA - F.C. Barcelona Football Museum - Barça Museum

website: http://www.fcbarcelona.cat
Av. Arístides Maillol, s/n. Estadi FCB, accesos 7 o 9, 08028 Barcelona
Phone: 934 963 608
Opening time: Mon-Sat: 10am.-6.30pm. Sun and holidays: 10am.-2.30pm
Price: 7 Euros Adults, 5.50 Euros for children. With Tour guide (stadium + museum): Adult 11 Euros, children 8.50 Euros
Transport: Metro: Collblanc (L5) Bus: 15, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57 & 75, Bus Turístic: Red Route = North Route (vermella)

Fans of Ronaldinho and Carles Puyol? These two Barça team players have become household names. For many F.C. Barcelona Football fans, visiting the Camp Nou Stadium is a MUST-DO when visiting Barcelona. At the musuem, one can see trophies, documents, photographs, as well as 3 audiovisual productions which detail Barça's history - the club which won the 2006 Champions League AND 2006 Spanish League championships among many others throughout history. One can also view the Camp Nou Stadium from the grandstand - a real treat for any world football fan. The F.C. Barcelona Museum self-proclaims it as "the best footballing museum in the world and the most popular museum of any kind in Catalonia," getting about 1.1 million visitors per year. Therein, you have the F.C. Barcelona History Museum, the F.C. Barcelona Art Gallery (featured artises include Dalí, Miró, Tàpies, Segrelles, Subirachs), and a "Col·lecció Futbolart - Pablo Ornaque" which is an excellent private collection of footballing memorabilia.

MUSEU PICASSO - Picasso Museum

website: http://www.museupicasso.bcn.es
Montcada, 15-23, 08003 Barcelona
Phone: 933 196 310
Opening time: Tuesday-Sunday and Holidays: 10-20h
Price: Permanent exhibition - 6 Euros, temporary exhibitions - 5 Euros, Combined admission - 8.50 Euros. 1st Sunday of month - FREE!
Transport: Metro: Jaume I (L4), Liceu (L3) & Arc de Triomf (L1) Bus: 14, 17, 19, 39, 40, 45, 51 & 59, Bus Turístic: South Route = South Route (blava)

Located in the very heart of the Gothic Quarter & housed in a series of medieval mansions, the Picasso Museum holds a very complete collection of Picasso's work from his younger years including is "Blue Period" (1901-1904)which was his first stage of development. Next came his "Rose Period" where we find the famous Senyora Canals portrait. The Picasso Museum also has a collection of prints and ceramic pieces made by the artist during his lifetime. The museum has a checkroom with attending staff that is available to all visitors. Bags, briefcases, etc. must be left here before entering the exhibition rooms. The museum also has a library, shop, and bar/restaurant. And while visitors pay the standard museum entrance fees, free guided tours to the permanent collection in catalan, spanish, english and french during particular hours/days but reservations for this service should be made. Private visits to the museum can also be arranged. Pablo Ruíz Picasso was born in Málaga, Spain in 1881 and moves to Barcelona in 1895 until 1904 when he moves to France - where he dies in 1973. The Picasso Museum was opened in 1963. Read more about Pablo Picasso and the museum dedicated to his works of art on the Picasso Museum website.

FUNDACIO JOAN MIRO - The Joan Miró Foundation

website: http://www.bcn.fjmiro.es
Parc de Montjuïc s/n, 08038 Barcelona
Phone: 934 439 470 & 933 298 609
Opening time: Oct-Jun: Tue-Sat: 10-19h; Thu 10-21.30h; Sun & Bank Holidays 10-14.30h; Jul-Sep: Tue-Sat: 10-20h; Thu up to 21.30h; Sun and bank holidays: 10-14.30h
Price: 7.25 Euros for Temporal exhibition + Espaí 13: 3.60 Euros
Transport: Metro: Metro Espanya (L1/L3) + Bus: 50 & 55 Funicular de Montjuïc, Bus Turístic: South Route = South Route (blava)

Located on the grounds of Montjuïc Park is the "Fundació Joan Miró" and housed in an interesting building by Josep Lluís Sert, the Joan Miró Museum contains the most complete public collections of work by artist Joan Miró's. Among them are about 300 paintings, 150 sculptures, 9 tapestries, and more than 7,000 drawings. Demonstrated in the museum is detail of the artistic development of Miró's including the various techniques he implemented throughout that development, also in search of his style. Not only will the visitor find works by Joan Miró himself but also a number of other works of Contemporary Art.

MUSEU NACIONAL D'ART DE CATALUNYA (MNAC) National Museum of Art of Catalonia

website: http://www.mnac.es
Palau Nacional. Parc de Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona
Phone: 936 220 360
Opening time: Tue-Sat: 10am-7pm; Sun and holidays: 10am-2:30pm; Closed Mondays
Price: Permanent and temporary exhibition: 8.50 Euros. For temporary exhibition: 3 to 5 Euros depending on the exhibition. 1st Sunday of each month is FREE
Transport: Metro: Metro: Espanya (L1/L3) + escalators, Bus: 9, 13, 27, 30, 50, 55, 65, 79, 109, 157, 165 FGC: S3, S33, S4, R5, R6 Espanya, Bus Turístic: South Route = South Route (blava)

The Museu Nacional D'Art de Catalunya focuses on Catalán Art from the 10th to the 20th centuries - that's 1,000 years of ART! Therein, the curious visitor will find medieval art (Gothic & Romanesque) as well as Romanesque frescoes and Catalán church paintings. Apart from the medieval, MNAC also has a collection of Baroque and Renaissance Art. Catalán Modernisme Art ("art nouveau") is also VERY well representeed here.