Barcelona's most iconic museums

Culture runs through Barcelona, and its museums show it: creativity, a great deal of history and a touch of the avant-garde. Art, history, science or simply a change from the beach and tapas, there's a museum for you.

This is our selection of the essentials.

1. Museu Picasso

Where: El Born

One of the most visited museums in the city, focusing on Pablo Picasso's early years and training. It occupies five medieval palaces on Carrer Montcada, and its collection has more than 4,000 works.

Highlight: the Las Meninas series

2. MNAC – Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

Where: Montjuïc

Housed in the imposing Palau Nacional, the MNAC has the most complete collection of Romanesque mural painting in the world, as well as Gothic, Renaissance and modern art.

Highlight: the views from the rooftop terrace

3. CosmoCaixa

Where: Sarrià-Sant Gervasi

A must if you like science, and a safe bet with children. It has a planetarium, a reproduction of a piece of Amazon rainforest and loads of hands-on activities.

Highlight: the Flooded Forest

4. MUHBA – Museu d'Història de Barcelona

Where: Plaça del Rei, in the Gothic Quarter

You go underground and walk among the ruins of the Roman city, then follow Barcelona's history through the Middle Ages and the modern era. MUHBA also has other sites around the city, such as the Carmel bunkers.

Highlight: walking among the remains of Roman Barcino

5. Fundació Joan Miró

Where: Montjuïc

A bright, modern building dedicated to the life and work of one of Catalonia's best-loved artists. It combines its collection with contemporary art exhibitions.

Highlight: the terrace with sculptures and views over the city

6. Museu del Disseny

Where: Glòries

In the striking Disseny Hub building, this museum covers design in all its forms: fashion, product, graphic design and interiors.

Highlight: the posters and Catalan furniture from earlier times

7. Museu Marítim de Barcelona

Where: Drassanes, by the port

Set in the old royal shipyards, this museum tells the city's maritime history with full-size replica ships and very well put-together exhibitions.

Highlight: the full-size replica of the 16th-century Galera Real

8. CaixaForum

Where: Montjuïc

A cultural centre with temporary exhibitions of art, photography and film, often in collaboration with major international museums.

Highlight: the building itself, a former Modernista textile factory by Puig i Cadafalch

9. MEAM – Museu Europeu d'Art Modern

Where: El Born

Contemporary figurative art by European and international artists in one of the neighbourhood's palaces. Quiet, charming and away from the crowds.

Highlight: the concerts it occasionally holds among the works

Tips for visiting museums in Barcelona

• Free entry: many museums are free on the first Sunday of every month, and some at other times too, such as MUHBA on Sundays from 3pm or the MNAC on Saturday afternoons. Times vary from museum to museum, so check each website and book if necessary, especially for the Picasso.
• Combined tickets: Articket BCN gives you entry to several of the city's major art museums with a single pass.
• Go early or late: you'll avoid queues and enjoy it at a calmer pace.

From Romanesque frescoes to experiments at CosmoCaixa, Barcelona's museums are another way to get to know the city. And if you're looking for somewhere to stay while you explore them, here are our apartments.