Museu d’Història de Barcelona (MUHBA) Plaça del Rei

One of 10 sites under the MUHBA banner, arguably the Plaça del Rei is the star. What you don’t tend to realise as you’re admiring the historic architecture in Barcelona’s city centre  is that there’s a whole Roman walled settlement under your feet. Descend in the lift at MUHBA and go back a couple of centuries to see nearly an acre of it, from temples to laundries, and wineries, the tour imparts an amazing sense of what life was like in this ancient settlement. Recommended.

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Palau Güell

Colorful chimneys at Palau Güell

The private house of a wealthy industrialist, Palau Güell represents an early Gaudí commission. A fascinating insight into the lives of the one-percenters of the time – more than any other of the Gaudí attractions in Barcelona, at Palau Güell you can almost imagine how its occupants lived. It is less crowded than the other Gaudí buildings on the tourist trail too.

Opulent interiors at Palau Güell

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Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

The stunning Richard Meier-designed MACBA is an El Raval landmark.
Superb space. Even for skateboarders.

If you get contemporary art MACBA is your type of place. Even for we philistines, some exhibitions are mind-blowing, and the permanent collection has some gems too.

The permanent collection is strong too.

The superb Richard Meier-designed space is a bonus, and even the gift shop is well curated. Recommended.

Buy the Barcelona Museum Pass or Art Passport and gain priority entry to Fundació Joan Miró, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB),the Museu Picasso, Fundació Antoni Tàpies, and Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), and avoid the queues.

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