Travels in Spain, Barcelona's Museums and Other Delights

As previously mentioned, along with its fanciful architecture, Barcelona is packed full of interesting museums as well as many other delights.

Romanesque Mural

The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (Catalan Art Museum) has a wonderful collection of Catalan art dating from the 10th and continuing to the mid-20th century. My favorite was the Romanesque Art; 11th to 13th century mural and panel paintings, the largest and oldest collection in Europe.

The building housing the art museum, the Palau Nacional (National Palace), is itself an impressive site. The majestic building was erected for the 1929 World Expo. As an extra treat, a trip to the rooftop terrace rewards visitors with incredible views over the entire city.

View from the National Palace Rooftop

Down from the Palace is a bit of Barcelona whimsy, the Font Màgica (Magic Fountains). Also created for the World Expo, the musical fountains are choreographed splashes of water and color. They are delightful. (The fountains don’t run every night, so it is important to check the current schedule.)

Ruins May Pop Up Anywhere

Pablo Picasso spent his formative years, teenage to early twenties, in Barcelona. The El Born district houses a good museum dedicated to his work. Fans of Barcelona-born Joan Miró will find a fine museum built solely to showcase his art.

The Barcelona City History Museum (MUHBA) has several heritage sites spread throughout the city. Most sites are archaeological, displaying remains of Barcino, an ancient Roman city. It is not unusual to stumble upon ruins while strolling through the Gothic Quarter or other neighborhoods.

Parc de la Ciutadella

For a little green space mixed with all that museum hopping, the Parc de la Ciutadella is an oasis. It is a lovely place to relax, picnic, go for a stroll or maybe a row around the lake.

Sardana Dance

The park houses several attractions including the zoo, the Catalan Parliament (the Museu d'Art Modern is located within the Parliament building), the Zoological Museum and the Museu de Geologia (Geology Museum).

Palau de la Música Catalana

Barcelona’s Gothic Cathedral (Catedral de Barcelona) is worth a visit; of course I think all churches are worth a visit, they are like mini museums. The interior is impressive, but rather stark. The best features are the duck-filled pretty cloister and the Sardana Dances that are performed in front of the church by the locals on weekends. People of all ages join hands in a circle to perform their traditional dance; it is a sweet sight to behold.

We wanted to see the Palau de la Música Catalana (Concert Hall). We had seen pictures and it looked beautiful, so we decided to take in a concert to properly enjoy the experience. The outside is deceiving, it looks like nothing special, but the interior is gorgeous.

Barcelona's Waterfront

Designed in the modernista style by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the hall was constructed between 1905 and 1908. It is hard to explain how the skylight, windows, arches, pillars, and carvings combine to make this place so incredible.

There are perhaps too many sites to see and places to explore in and around Barcelona. It would be easy to spend a week here dashing from place to place. It’s always good, though, to remember that a vacation is not just about seeing everything, but about relaxing and enjoying the experience. The waterfront is a delightful place to relax, enjoy a drink, walk, bike, or put toes in the sand. A wonderful day can be spent just enjoying the promenade, the beach and simply being in this joyous, colorful city.