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Barcelona is a city filled with diversity and energy, understandably its art scene is no different. Spending an afternoon exploring the greats; Picasso, Dali and Gaudi, come easily when wandering this Catalan Capital. Many forged their careers in the city and its museums, galleries and art scene tend to focus on their progress and Catalan art. Here’s the best art in Barcelona, from amazing museums to street art.

1. Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Sagrada Familia, Spain
In any of the top attractions in Barcelona, you will find the Sagrada Familia on the first spot, designed by Antoni Gaudi but unfinished. The foundation stone was laid in 1882. The interior of the Sagrada Familia opened completely in 2012 and is worth visiting for its impressive details. The exterior is still under construction and is currently around 75% complete, with only 8 of the 18 towers completed.
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
It is desired to complete the work in 2026 to mark the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death. If you want to visit the cathedral, be prepared to stand in line for about an hour and a half. Our recommendation is to buy tickets online in advance to jump the queue at the box office. Visiting hours are until 7 pm, but during the summer it is extended by one hour. Depending on the type of ticket, it costs around 15 euros.

2. Montjuic fountain

Monjuic fountain, Barcelona, Spain
The Montjuic fountain is magical due to its show of lights, music, and visual effects. It was built in 1929 and is still one of the most famous places in Barcelona, with about 2.5 million visitors annually.
Monjuic Fountain, Barcelona
In winter, the fountain offers shows only on Fridays and Saturdays. In summer, the evening of lights and music lasts from Thursday to Sunday. The whole show is free, but during the tourist season, the place can become extremely crowded.

3. Picasso Museum, Barcelona

Picasso Museum, Barcelona, Spain
The Picasso Museum is the most famous in Barcelona. Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga, southern Spain, but his family moved to Barcelona in 1895. Picasso lived here until 1904. His father was an art teacher. Although Pablo had already studied art in Malaga, he spent his formative years in Barcelona. He is considered to be from Barcelona, and here he exhibited for the first time. Picasso’s most famous paintings are not in Barcelona, but you can see a unique collection of 4000 works. The museum is located in several wonderful Gothic mansions in the old part of the city.

4. La Rambla

La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain

One of the most famous boulevards in the world is located in Barcelona. La Rambla starts from the central square of Plaza Catalunya and ends at the Columbus monument in the port of Vell, which is said not to point to America. La Rambla is full of street artists, souvenir stalls, tourists, and families with children. However, take care of the goods you have on you because the crowds facilitate the plans of pickpockets.

From La Rambla, you can also access La Boqueria, the famous square in Barcelona, where you will find a real feast of colors on the exposed stalls. Fresh fruits, local specialties, but especially fish and seafood, that’s why it’s worth the walk.

5. Park Guell, Barcelona

Parc Guell, Barcelona, Spain
Park Guell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of Gaudi’s most artistic works. The park is located on Carmel Hill, so this attraction involves a climb of 900 m. But the hill is lined with escalators, so you do not have to worry. Josep Guell’s initial idea was to develop a private and exclusive village with 60 houses. It did not work, and after Guell’s death in 1923, the space was donated to Barcelona by the Guell family as a public park. Here you will find the famous mosaic lizard, but also other abstract sculptures specific to Gaudi.
You can also find Gaudi at Casa Mila. It is Gaudi’s most famous house for its architectural style and is located on Passeig de Gracia Street. Casa Mila also has the nickname “La Pedrera” (the stone quarry) due to its design. In the summer months, you can attend concerts on its roof.

6. Casa Battlo

Casa Battlo, Spain

In the Eixample district of Barcelona, on Passeig de Gracia at number 47, there is a marvel of a house conceived by Gaudí as an allegory of Sant Jordi (Catalan Saint George) and the dragon – Sant Jordi being the spiritual patron of Catalonia. A surreal dream, in which the boundaries between architecture, sculpture and fantasy are blurred. Along with 7 other Gaudí buildings, Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Casa Batlló was not built from scratch by Gaudí, but was only modified and renovated. Gaudí worked on it with another architect, Jujol – a successful combination of Gaudí’s structural inventiveness and fantasy and Jujol’s decorative refinement and elegance.

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