Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya / MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia), Barcelona

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Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya / MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia), Barcelona

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya / MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia), Barcelona (must see)

An essential destination for visitors to Barcelona, offering a splendid setting that showcases a thousand years of Catalan art, the magnificent Palau Nacional, originally constructed for the 1929 International Exhibition, has been the home of the city's most significant art collection since 1934. For those unfamiliar with the museum, deciding where to begin can be challenging; however, if you have limited time, it is recommended to focus on the medieval collection, which is divided into two main sections: one dedicated to Romanesque art and the other to Gothic art. During these periods, Catalan artists were at the forefront of the art scene in Spain.

The museum takes great pride in its collection of Romanesque frescoes, which were carefully removed from churches in the Catalan Pyrenees and presented in a reconstructed version of their original settings. Additionally, the MNAC houses an unparalleled collection of 19th- and 20th-century Catalan art, with the exception of works from the 1950s onwards. The museum's collection excels in "modernista" and "noucentista" painting and sculpture, the two predominant artistic movements of that era. Moreover, visitors can explore intriguing exhibits on topics such as "modernista" interior design, avant-garde sculpture, and historical photography.

To fully appreciate the exhibits, it is advisable to plan for multiple visits as tickets are valid for 2 days. The museum's website offers a convenient "create your own itinerary" feature, helping you maximize your experience. Additionally, blockbuster exhibitions and special shows based on the MNAC's extensive archives are highly popular, although they may require separate ticket purchases.

Why You Should Visit:
An absolutely magnificent museum, newly updated and modernized for the contemporary tourist.
Reasonably priced; plenty of lifts/stair lifts/toilets, and comfortable leather sofas dotted here and there for when your feet ache.

Tip:
Not only does the on-site restaurant offer a breathtaking view of Montjuïc, but it also provides excellent value for the price.
Make sure not to miss the rooftop for an even more spectacular panorama.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Barcelona. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya / MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) on Map

Sight Name: Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya / MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia)
Sight Location: Barcelona, Spain (See walking tours in Barcelona)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Barcelona, Spain

Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona

Create Your Own Walk in Barcelona

Creating your own self-guided walk in Barcelona is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour

Picasso's Barcelona Walking Tour

Pablo Picasso – the great Spanish painter and sculptor – developed his style in Barcelona where he spent the formative years of his life, from the ages of 14 to 23. It is said that when the master spoke nostalgically of home, he actually meant the Catalonian capital, despite having been born in Malaga.

This self-guided walk will take you to the Picasso Museum, the bar-restaurant and the art...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.2 Km or 2.6 Miles
La Ribera Walking Tour

La Ribera Walking Tour

La Ribera is a culturally rich, historic area of Barcelona’s Old Town; somewhat less touristy than the Gothic Quarter (which one should really visit as well) and quite unspoiled, authentic and pretty. Centuries ago, it was a very well-to-do neighborhood inhabited by aristocrats, merchants, wealthy sailors, and Jewish money-lenders. Today, it is regarded as the Soho of Barcelona – a popular...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
La Rambla Walking Tour

La Rambla Walking Tour

One of the main streets in central Barcelona, La Rambla is popular with tourists and locals alike. Connecting the city’s old port with Plaça de Catalunya, it is filled with cultural and historic landmarks, as well as many terraces, restaurants, shops and street artists. Spanish poet, Federico García Lorca once said it was “the only street in the world which I wish never ended.”

Start...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Montjuic Walking Tour

Montjuic Walking Tour

Montjuic is a hill in Barcelona which offers a variety of great attractions of historic, cultural, and architectural value. Here, you can watch a spectacular water show at the Magic Fountain of Montjuic, visit the place where matadors faced the bulls in the past, and explore the ancient Montjuic Castle with its breathtaking views.

A convenient start point, Placa d'Espanya is the second...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Gothic Quarter Walking Tour

Gothic Quarter Walking Tour

A walk through the Gothic Quarter – Barcelona’s oldest part, dating from the Roman era – is like a journey through time. The typical Roman grid plan is still visible in the quarter's layout. Only a few roads are open for car traffic, so there is little in the way of enjoying the narrow, atmospheric streets filled with high-quality architecture, numerous boutiques, and coffee shops....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Barcelona Food Tasting Walking Tour

Barcelona Food Tasting Walking Tour

No one should visit Barcelona without making an attempt to get acquainted with some of Spain’s best food – Catalan food. An abundance of fresh fish and superb meat, a plethora of great vegetables, plus local inventiveness, have produced a very diverse, distinctive and delicious cuisine, including the famous (and trendy) tapas dishes.

Follow this self-guided walk to treat your taste buds in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

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