Old sketches by me
As a former Fine Arts student, self-confessed art and history geek, and illustrator, exploring museums and galleries are some of my top activities every time I travel.
And when it comes to art, Barcelona (pronounced as Barthelona not Barselona, in case you didn’t know) has plenty to gawk at. With modernist architecture, contemporary museums, shabby chic neighborhoods full of artisan workshops, this Spanish city has long been a creative playground. If you’re planning to visit, check out this website if you want to be situated close to the museums and galleries.
Below are some of the city’s best spots to visit for art aficionados:
Museu Picasso
From photography to some of Pablo Picasso’s most iconic paintings, each piece in this gallery is arranged according to the abstract expressionist and Cubist pioneer’s age so that it’s an interesting look into the progression of his life and style. According to my Art Studies professor, Picasso spent some of his best years in Barcelona!
Fundació Joan Miró
The Fundació Joan Miró is a foundation, which operates in Barcelona the museum on the mountain Montjuïc. However, if you’re not interested to see the work of the city’s best-known 20th-century artistic progeny, the architecture might suit your fancy. Internationally renowned for its one-of-a-kind geometric structure and great use of natural light, the building was designed by local architect Josep Lluís Sert.
Sagrada Família & Park Güell
Building buffs will definitely appreciate the work of Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. He’s responsible for several of the city’s most iconic structures and also paved the way for the Catalan Modernism movement. Everything’s a visual feast, from the intricately tiled sculptures in Park Güell, to the astonishing UNESCO World Heritage Site Sagrada Família. Trivia: did you know that the construction of Sagrada Família began in 1882 and is still on going? With a finish date set in 2026, it’s probably the longest building job ever!
Salvador Dalí Theater-Museum
Okay, this is not in Barcelona but I’ll be a little bit biased and include my favorite Spanish painter. From Barcelona, take a day trip to Figueres, the hometown of Salvador Dalí, the most crazily original artist of all time! There, you’ll find the Salvador Dalí Theater-Museum, a unique place where you can enjoy the multiple facets, mindsets, and artistic styles of the Surrealist pioneer. I hope I can cross this off my bucket list soon. I’m particularly excited to take a photo of the Face of Mae West Which May Be Used as an Apartment installation!
Do you have any recommendations for art and design lovers?