Museums

In Barcelona there are museums of every sort: large, small, hidden in back streets, of international artists, science, sport, curiosities... and museums worth visiting just to see the building. Among the more curious collections are the automatons of Tibidabo, perfumes, waxworks, sewers, funeral coaches and others which most people in Barcelona don't know exist. Here we give a selection of the most important which, time and strength permitting, you could try to see.

There are more than 150 places where you can find temporary exhibitions of all types. From a bar such as the Café del Sol to La Pedrera, any space can suffice to display the work of a new or established artist. Here we suggest a few which are also in buildings of architectural interest.

Fundacion Antoni Tapies

There are works from all periods of the artistic development and a beautiful library devoted to modern and Asiatic art. The Tapies foundation is housed in a building by the modernista Architect Lluís Domenech i Montaner, and is crowned by a controversial work by Tapies (Nuvol i Cadira - Cloud and Chair). The roof terrace alone is worth a visit.
Bookshop: Book on Tapies

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10am - 8pm.
Telephone: 93 487 0315
Address: Arago, 255 (near to Passeig de Gracia).
Metro: Passeig de Gracia (L2, L3, L4)

MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art)

The building is the work of the North-American architect Richard Meier. The white, curved and rectilinear walls combine to create harmonious and beautiful spaces. The gallery is devoted to works from the second half of the 20th century. There are few works in the permanent collection but frequently interesting temporary exhibitions.
For more information: http://www.macba.es Winter Hours From 25 September to 24 June Weekdays from 11 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.

MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalunya)

The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC,) in the Palau Nacional, symbol of the 1929 International Exhibition in Barcelona, is situated on the mountain of Montjuïc near to the trade fair area and the Plaza Espanya. Before entering the museum going uphill you will enjoy the spectacular view of the city of Barcelona. The MNAC art collection explains the general history of Catalan art from the X until the mid-twentieth century and includes sculpture, paintings drwaings posters from great international painters such as and photography.

CCCB (Centre of Contemporary Culture)

Exhibitions and contemporary art events in a building which perfectly combines the ancient and the modern.
More information: www.cccb.org/eng/cccb.htm
Opening hours in Summer: Tuesday to Saturday: 11am - 8pm;
Sundays & holidays: 11am - 7pm;
Mondays except holidays: closed

CaixaForum

This building has been an old factury desgined by the modernist architectof Josep Puig i Cadafalch and it became in 2002 the CaixaForum, the social and cultural center of the Foundation "the Caixa" in Barcelona. With the opening of CaixaForum, the Foundation has several spaces with a permanent collection of contemporary art, temporary exhibitions and programs with activities related to the plastic and visual arts, music and literature.
More information:
http://www.fundacio.lacaixa.es/centros/caixaforumbcn_es