ArticketBCN - An art lover´s best friend

ArticketBCN, the Barcelona art ticket, is an affordable way to visit Barcelona´s best art museums.  It gives you entry into seven of Barcelona´s leading art centers during a period of 6 months and includes both the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the participating museums.  It is valid for 6 months from the first day you visit one of the museums (not from the day you purchase the ticket) and costs only €22. 

The museums included in the articketBCN are:
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona - CCCB- The CCCB (Center of Contemporary Culture) is located near Plaça Catalunya and organizes and produces exhibitions, debates, festivals, concerts, and cinema.  It is divided into three exhibition galleries, two lecture halls, an auditorium, and several multi-purpose spaces.  It is must-see for anyone interested in contemporary culture.  Normal entry costs between €4,5 and €6.  http://www.cccb.org

Fundació Antoni Tàpies - The Fundació Antoni Tàpies is located in the neighborhood of Eixample and was created in 1984 by the artist Antoni Tàpies to promote the study and knowledge of modern and contemporary art.  Antoni Tàpies was born in Barcelona and is famous for his surrealist and abstract paintings. The largest collection of Tàpies work can be found here, as well as various collections from other artists, including art from Africa and Asia.  The foundation also arranges lectures and film screenings.  Normal entry costs €6.  http://www.fundaciotapies.org

Fundació Caixa Catalunya - La Pedrera- La Pedrera is one of Barcelona´s most famous buildings, designed by Antoni Gaudí.  With the articketbcn you can visit the building, the permanent exhibition about the architect in the Espai Gaudí, a period apartment dating from the early 20th century, and the exhibition hall, which hosts temporary art shows by international artists.  The building is extraordinary, and is one of the most visited sites in Barcelona.  Queues are to be expected, but it´s worth the wait.  Normal entry costs €10.  http://obrasocial.caixacatalunya.es

Fundació Joan Miró - This museum is located in Montjuic and houses the best works of Joan Miró, as well as some pieces by other artists.  Miró, who is considered one of the best Catalan artists of all time, donated many of the works himself.  There is a permanent collection of Surrealist paintings, tapestries, sculptures, and sketches covering the period from 1914 to 1978.  The museum also sponsors temporary exhibitions, films, lectures, and summer music nights in July and August.  There is also a café with an outdoor patio serving drinks, pastries, and sandwiches.  Incidentally, the building was designed by one of Miro´s best friends, the architect Josep-Luis Sert.  Normally entry costs €8,50.  http://www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org/

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya- MNAC  - MNAC, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, occupies the Palau Nacional in Montjuic, and absolutely should not be missed.  Showcasing over a thousand years of Catalan art, from Gothic to Modern, MNAC is Catalonia’s national art gallery and is one of Spain´s greatest museums.  If you plan to visit only a few museums MNAC should definitely be on your list.  Normal entry costs €8,50.  http://www.mnac.cat

Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona- MACBA- Located in Raval, near the CCCB, MACBA houses a collection representing the main movements in art since 1945, with most of the exhibitions from Spanish artists.  In addition to the permanent collection the museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and organizes activities related to contemporary art and culture.  The building, with a facade made almost entirely of glass, was designed by the American architect Richard Meier.  Normal entry costs €7,50.  http://www.macba.cat

Museu Picasso - The Picasso Museum is located in the neighborhood of El Borne and occupies five mansions from the 13th to 15th centuries.   It is considered a key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Picasso, although it contains none of his most famous pieces.  The musuem has a permanent collection with more than 3,800 works from his early years, showing the progression of his work up to the Blue Period and giving visitors the chance to trace the artistic development of one of the most famous artists in the history of the world.  Normal entry costs €9.  http://www.museupicasso.bcn.es

The articketBCN is an excellent price, even if you don´t have time to visit all seven museums.  It´s ideal for art lovers who plan to spend much of their time in Barcelona visiting museums, but it´s also great for those who just want to make a quick visit to each of them in order to check out the best collections and pieces.  If this is your first time in Barcelona and you want to see the best art the city has to offer, then the articketbcn is the way to go.  The articketBCN can be purchased at the ticket offices of any of the art centers,  at the Barcelona Tourism Offices, or at www.barcelonaturisme.com.  For more information on articketbcn visit www.articketbcn.org.