Top ten museums outside Barcelona

If you’re a fan of museums, living in Barcelona will be an exciting experience because there are so many to visit. But if you’re a really big fan of museums and you’re staying in town for a while, what will you do when you’ve already seen them all?

Well, don’t worry, you just need to expand the horizons of your quest for art to include the entire region of Catalonia, home of some of the best depositories of art, history, and science in the world. The offer is vast so, to help you out, we selected the top ten museums outside Barcelona.

Art

Jaume Morera Art Museum

Located in Lleida, just about an hour away from Barcelona, this is a museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Other than the pieces on display, it often holds workshops, conferences, and other educational activities.

Address: Edifici Casino Principal, Carrer Major, 31, 25007 Lleida.

Teatre-Museu Dalí

In the Alt Empordà region lives the eternal genius of Salvador Dali, a son of Catalonia who became one of the most influential artists ever. Here you can find his expression in all its different output vehicles – paintings, sculptures, photographs, etc. This museum is so awesome that it’s almost… surreal.

Address: Plaça Gala i Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueres, Girona.

Montserrat Museum

Part of the famous Benedictine abbey of Montserrat, the Montserrat Museum presents artworks from the last three centuries, as well as jewelry, Byzantine icons and even archaeological pieces dating back to Biblical times.

Address: 08199 Abadia de Montserrat.

Related article: Thought-inspiring museums in Barcelona

History

Romantic Museum

Located in Sitges, only 30 minutes away from Barcelona, this museum allows you to take a close look at the luxurious lifestyle of a wealthy Catalan family from the romantic period.

Address: Carrer de Sant Gaudenci, 1, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona.

Catalonia Railway Museum

Trains can take us to places we’ve never been before, such as the Barcelona municipality of Vilanova i la Geltrú. Have you been there? That’s where the history of the Catalan railways is preserved, in a fun and unique museum that is always a hit amongst children and adults.

Address: Plaça Eduard Maristany, 08800 Vilanova i la Geltrú, Barcelona.

Gavà Museum and the Gavà Mines Archaeological Park

Have you ever wondered how life was like 6,000 years ago? Visit the mines where a Neolithic community worked and you might just catch a glimpse of it. Don’t miss the chance to discover one of the most insightful archaeological museums in all of Europe.

Address: Plaça de Dolors Clua, 13, 08850 Gavà, Barcelona.

National Archaeological Museum of Tarragona

If you’re interested in Roman heritage, this is the place to visit. Amongst the countless pieces on display, the city of Terraco and the villas of Munts and Centelles are particularly well represented.

Address: Plaça del Rei, 5, 43003 Tarragona.

Jewish History Museum

This Girona museum preserves the history of the Jewish communities who inhabited Catalonia during the Middle Ages, contributing decisively to the development of the region.

Address: Carrer de la Força, 8, 17004 Girona.

Science

Valentí Masachs Geology Museum

Supervised by the Technical University of Catalonia, this museum displays a rich private collection of minerals, fossils, rocks and other geological samples. Named after a pioneer Catalan geologist from Manresa, the Barcelona municipality where it is located, it also functions as an open classroom for students of the local university.

Address: Av. de les Bases de Manresa, 61-73, 08242 Manresa, Barcelona.

MNACTEC

Through its 12 permanent exhibitions, Catalonia’s Museum of Science and Technology documents the way advances in these two areas have changed our daily lives over the years. Temporary exhibitions are also regularly added, so it’s a good idea to check their schedule from time to time.

Address: Rambla d’Ègara, 270, 08221 Terrassa, Barcelona.

Related article: Top Artist’s Museums in Barcelona

There you have it, the top ten museums you should visit outside Barcelona. Have you picked the one you’re going to visit first, already? Which one is it? Let us know in the comment box below and have fun!

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