April 25, 2025
Sam Ponsford
A guide to Barcelona for Art Lovers.
Who needs a guide to Barcelona art?
I feel very lucky that, as a wedding photographer, Barcelona is one of the places that I get to visit and work in most often. Barcelona can feel like a confusing city. The first time I visited Barcelona, I remember having the feeling of being on the edge of a great city but one that I couldn’t quite understand. When I left, I had the feeling that there must have been something I’d missed or not understood about it. That’s why I wanted to create this art guide to Barcelona.
Now, after many years visiting and working in Barcelona I feel like I’ve got to know it much better. This post is for any art lovers that are planning their first trip to Barcelona, or, like me, have already visited and felt like there was something they weren’t quite getting about the city.
I have focused on art because I think it’s a great uniting thread for understanding and exploring the many faces of Barcelona. This guide is a combination of some of the more typical art galleries and museums, along with some lesser known spots that you might not find in the Barcelona guidebook.
Barcelona by Art
Here are the top ten art spots I’d recommend to anyone visiting Barcelona. I love going back to them again and again because there’s always something new, or something I haven’t seen before and I always leave feeling inspired for my wedding photography and videography.
1. Museu Picasso
I love spending time in this museum. Picasso’s work is spread across five palaces on Carrera De Montcada in El Born. The buildings themselves are beautiful, typical of the Catalan gothic style, and full of history. The palaces date back to the 13th-15th centuries and are full of original and interesting features. I love the arched ceilings, stonework, and the contrast between the history and the stark white of the gallery spaces.
In terms of the artwork, there is a vast selection of Picasso’s work here. It’s great that its organised chronologically because it’s nice to see Picasso finding his feet as an artist and moving into different styles. The museum may not have all of Picasso’s big hits, but for anyone interested in art it’s definitely worth a visit. Especially as Picasso lived in Barcelona. You get to see how Barcelona has changed, and also see how he was inspired and influenced by the city.
Book your tickets ahead online here. The system is colour-coded by how busy it is, for the best experience look for times when the museum is quieter.
2. Fundaciό Joan Mirό
No art guide to Barcelona would be complete without a mention of Mirό. Fundaciό Joan Mirό is a complete contrast to the Picasso Museum. It’s in Parc Montjuic which has panoramic city views, and tranquil gardens. There’s plenty to explore in the park and it’s worth a visit as well. But first, the building itself. The foundation was designed with the purpose of housing Mirό’s collection and reflects his artistic style. It’s contemporary, avant-garde, and described as a fusion of art, architecture and landscape. As an iconic piece of Barcelona’s cultural landscape, it’s worth visiting just to get a look at the building. There is also the bonus of an impressive view looking back down onto the city from the courtyard.
Mirό is a Catalan artist, sculptor and ceramist. Therefore, this is an essential visit for any art lover visiting Barcelona. His work takes a lot of inspiration from Surrealists but he has a personal style that doesn’t fit neatly in a box. It’s abstract and modern while being playful and capturing a childlike, dreamy perspective of the world. There are also temporary exhibitions, including photography, which show both establish and emerging contemporary artists.
3. MNAC (Museu Nacional d’art de Catalunya)
On top of the hill in Parc Montjuic you’ll find the MNAC. This is a must-see for any art lover’s guide to Barcelona. It’s a museum dedicated to Catalan visual art. You’ll find it in the Palau Nacional which is a perfect example of the Spanish Renaissance architectural style. I love Galí’s vibrant blue fresco which you can see on the Palau’s principal dome. There’s also an incredible 360 degree view of Barcelona from MNAC’s roof terrace.
The collection here is vast and I probably wouldn’t try and see it all in one visit. But there is something for anyone interested in visual art. It has one of the world’s best collections of Romanesque church art and murals. There’s a broad display of gothic art. There’s also exhibitions dedicated to Gaudi, Dalí, Rubens and Goya amongst others. For the historians there are exhibits of Spanish Civil War and extensive medieval collections. I like the way the museum structures its modern art displays so that you can travel through modern art’s different stages. There is also a vast collection of photography from the 19th and 20th centuries. Plan your visit here.
4. Street Art: Poblenou and El Raval
Poblenou:
It took me a while to discover Poblenou. It’s not somewhere you’d easily wander into from the city centre. But, it’s definitely worth visiting if you love art. To get there, take a tram from Barcelonetta or use the metro. Poblenou literally means ‘new town’ and it lives up to its name… there’s something new here every time I visit. It’s a rapidly changing neighbourhood with an upbeat, vibrant feel. El Raval has the classic post-industrial mix of old factories, massive warehouses rubbing shoulders with brand new office buildings and apartments.
It’s famous on the art scene for its street art murals which showcase the work of local artists. Many of the murals speak to the history and culture of the local area. The murals have found a welcoming home in Poblenou because it has a large number of legal walls. This means the murals aren’t erased by the city council and we get to enjoy wandering around at looking at all the different work. It’s a nice neighbourhood for walking around, with plenty of tapas bars and cafes. But it’s not a small area, so if you want to see a lot of the artists’ work I would recommend taking a bike tour. There are a number of companies that run street art tours here. Here’s a few options.
El Raval
El Raval is famous for its grunge style art scene. It’s home to the MACBA (Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona) which houses thought-provoking, contemporary art. Outside is a meeting point for skaters. Skateboarders love the steps and ledges in front of the gallery. Although it’s technically not a skatepark, it’s become a world renowned skating spot. The atmosphere is friendly and lively and it has a strong community feel. Additionally, El Raval has a flourishing street art & graffiti scene. You can plan your visit to the MACBA here, and find a art tour of the area here.
5. Miscelanea, El Raval
Miscelanea is a modern alternative to stuffy and pretentious art galleries and therefore deserves a spot on the art guide to Barcelona. It’s a multipurpose spot which brings together a gallery and a gift-shop. They disrupt expectations of the gallery space by playing music and creating a laid-back atmosphere. Miscelanea also hosts gigs, workshops and other creative events. They describe themselves at risky, and tend to focus on emerging artists. I’ve stumbled on some really interesting new artists on my visits there. Also the gift-shop is carefully curated, with a huge variety of artistic styles in the shop, there’s something for everyone!
Follow them on Instagram here or visit their website here.
6. Montana Gallery
If you have an interest in urban art and graffiti, then the Montana Gallery in El Born is a great spot to include in your visit to Barcelona. You may recognise the gallery’s name from its connection to Montana Colours, the Spanish spray paint company who specialise in quality paints for graffiti and other fine arts. The owner of the gallery describes it (and the neighbouring shop) as an essential meeting point for anyone visiting Barcelona who has an interest in street and urban art. They showcase both local and international artists with a strong personal style and background in urban art.
The shop next door which sells products and art supplies from the Montana brand along with magazines, books and clothing. The shop and gallery have a nice energy and visiting them feels like tapping into a piece of the Spanish art scene. Find about more about the Gallery by clicking here or visiting their Instagram page here.
7. BienCuadrado – Contemporary Art Gallery and Studios
BienCuadrado is one of Barcelona’s newest contemporary galleries. It showcases new and mid-career artists with a strong voice and personal style. The range at the gallery is huge and I always find something unique and interesting there. BienCuadrado is not just a gallery, it also has studio space for artists. They are always welcoming and friendly and it gives visitors the opportunity to meet and discuss with the artists while they’re creating it. It’s a great place to visit for creative inspiration and to get a real insight into both the art scene in Barcelona, and the artists’ creative process. You can find BienCuadrado in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. More information about the gallery can be found here.
8. Taber Café, L’Eixample
Feeling a bit tired after soaking in so much of Barcelona’s art scene, but don’t want to take a break from your art tour? Head to Taber Café in L’Eixample. The café is famous for its speciality coffee and cheesecakes, but they also have a range of juices, iced drinks and light snacks and a brunch menu: there’s something for everyone. The interior is quite quirky and on the walls you’ll find their current exhibition of a local artist’s work. There are also smaller arty things available to buy like handmade cards and tote bags which will be perfect to take home with you. Check out their Instagram here.
9. Foto Colectania
If you’re a fan of photography, then definitely include Foto Colectania in your visit to Barcelona. You’ll find the gallery in a beautiful 19th Century building in El Born. Inside, it houses one of the most extensive photography collections in Spain. This includes the photographic archive of Paco Gόmez and an upcoming exhibit of Ramon Masat’s work, who they describe as one of Spain’s most influential photographers.
The calming, cool interior of the gallery space provides a welcome respite from the heat and liveliness of the city and there’s always something new to explore in the exhibition space. As well as the temporary exhibition gallery there is also a library and audio-visual room. The library has a huge range of books specialising in photography which also gives me a creative boost. Plan your visit here.
10. FotoNostrum
FotoNostrum – the Mediterranean House of Photography – has a stunning collection of carefully selected artworks and is definitely worth paying attention to. As well as featuring emerging photographers, the gallery also a range of established photographers. There’s a focus on fine-art photography which blend the classic and contemporary. FotoNostrum has a range of exhibitions, including portraiture and conceptual photography, often addressing social and cultural issues. Recognised as one of the most prestigious photography galleries in Southern Europe, it attracts visitors from all over Europe. It’s also a commercial gallery, so if you fall in love with a piece you might even be able to take it home and hang it on your wall! What better way to finish complete your art guide to Barcelona than with your own piece of original art. Find out more about it and plan your visit by clicking here.
Guide to Barcelona Art; Honourable Mention:
Carmencita Film Lab
While not technically an art space, Carmencita is my film lab of choice and where I get all of my film developed for my wedding photography business. As well as being one of the best places to develop film in Europe, it also has an amazing range of films for sale and some vintage cameras as well. Of most interest to an art lover visiting Barcelona, though, is that it has lots of amazing photography books for sale as well. If you’re an art-loving photographer, this is basically an essential stop during your time exploring Barcelona.
The Art of Barcelona Awaits you
Barcelona is the perfect destination for art lovers and there’s plenty to suit any style or interest. I couldn’t possibly include all the beautiful and creative spots in Barcelona, but I hope this insider’s guide provides some inspiration. I hope you have a great time exploring the city and make some discoveries of your own! And if you’re going to be visiting Barcelona because you’re considering getting married there, reach out to me here to chat, I’d love to help you with your wedding journey in any way I can.
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