As well as being the capital city of Spain, Barcelona is also a major cultural hub which over the years has become the most popular tourist destination in the country. The city is known for its variety of museums, art centers, private galleries, as well as less conventional experiences. It is home to many of the most famous Spanish artists of the 20th and 21 th century.

If you are looking to learn Spanish in real-life situations, spanish courses Barcelona is definitely your best bet. Spain is the birthplace and home of Spanish, and therefore the best destination to improve your language skills while discovering art, gaining a better understanding of different cultures.

Here is a list of the best museums not to miss while visiting Barcelona, to help you make your time in this wonderful city more enjoyable.

1. Picasso Museum – Barcelona’s most popular museum, and one of the city’s main tourist destinations. It hosts a permanent exhibition of the best pieces of Picasso, who started his career as an artist in Barcelona, despite having lived most of his life in Paris. If you want to fully enjoy your experience at Museu Picasso, buy your tickets in advance and visit it early in the morning.

2. Museum of the History of Catalonia – Also known as MHC, this museum was created to promote awareness and knowledge of the history and culture of Catalonia. It has permanent exhibitions that show all the historical evolution of the region, from ancient times to the present days.

3. Joan Miró Foundation, Centre of Studies of Contemporary Art – Located on the Montjuic Hill, this is a museum of modern art honoring Joan Miró, and one of the world’s greatest buildings. Many of the works in the building were donated by the artist himself.



4. MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) – This museum is located in a former castle inside the amphitheater of Montjuic Hill and offers an impressive exhibition of the Catalan art dating between the 12th century right through to the 20th with breathtaking panoramic views of the city below.

5. Design Museum – Barcelona’s Design Museum has four floors of permanent and temporary collections with thousand items, focusing on 4 design disciplines: space design, product design, information design and fashion. The museum is the result of merging of several existing museums and was created to promote better understanding and good use of the design world.

6. Virreina Center for Visual Creation – Situated on La Rambla, this is a free and publicly-owned museum that specializes in contemporary art, focusing in recent years on exploring the ideological and aesthetic uses of images. In it you will find exhibitions and activities related to photography and image (still or moving).

7. Museum of Chocolate – This is a small and private museum owned by the city pastry-maker’s union that shows the history of chocolate in Spain and its manufacturing, from the cocoa beans to the industrial process. It is located in the Born neighborhood, close to the city center, on the ground floor of a former convent. It also has a small and cozy coffee shop to enjoy a cup of delicious fresh hot chocolate after the visit.

8. CCCB – The Centre of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona is an art center situated in the Raval district. It hosts many exhibitions and other cultural activities, focusing on the key challenges of contemporary society through different languages and formats. It also has an auditorium, a bookstore, and various multiuse and lecture rooms for debates. Music and the performing arts have a special place in the CCCB: festivals and concerts take place throughout the year.



9. Caixa Forum Barcelona – The largest bank in Spain, named “La Caixa” is also an important player in Spain’s cultural and artistic scene. It has opened several Caixa Forums in many of the larger Spanish cities. These cultural centers host alternating exhibitions on the subjects of art, architecture, culture, and technology.

10. Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum – This museum is located in the Palau Mornau, a stunning restored palace in the historic district Gothic Quarter, one of Barcelona’s most famous neighborhoods. It is dedicated entirely to cannabis, offering fascinating insights into the history and diversity of the plant.