
Visiting Barcelona for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
Take the bother out of a trip to Barcelona with our first time–friendly recommendations.
CaixaForum is a hidden gem in Barcelona, often overlooked but worth the visit for modern art lovers. Museum visitors can purchase a single admission ticket or opt for a multi-attraction pass, which includes admission and skip-the-line access to CaixaForum, as well as other attractions like the Picasso Museum, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, and the Joan Miró Foundation. CaixaForum is a stop on the Red Route of the Barcelona hop-on hop-off bus.
The gallery is a must-visit for art lovers and those looking to get off the beaten track.
Book your admission online ahead of time to skip the ticket line.
CaixaForum and all its facilities are wheelchair-accessible.
CaixaForum is well-connected by public transportation. The easiest way to get there is to take the metro to Espanya (Line 1 or 3). If you’re in the Plaça de Espanya or Montjüic neighborhoods, you’re within walking distance of the art gallery.
CaixaForum is open daily throughout the year, with extended hours on Wednesday during July and August. The air-conditioned museum is a good place to escape the heat on a hot summer afternoon.
The CaixaForum building itself is as impressive as the collection within it. The former clothing factory designed by Puig I Cadafalch in 1910 stands opposite the stylish Mies van der Rohe pavilion. Resembling a modernist castle with its intricate crenellated brickwork, the dramatic building now features a striking metal and glass canopy frontage designed by Japanese architect Arata Isozaki.