Art Galleries in Barcelona

An art gallery is a space that displays paintings, sculpture, photography, and other artworks, either as a permanent public collection or as changing exhibitions. Public galleries are open to everyone, while commercial galleries also sell the work on show.

Many art galleries are free to visit, including most commercial galleries and, in the UK, national collections such as the National Gallery. Major galleries elsewhere usually charge for entry, and special exhibitions often need a separate ticket.

The best-known art galleries are the ones to book ahead, since many use timed entry and sell out in peak season. Smaller and commercial galleries rarely need booking, so they're easy to fit in around the big names.

There's no dress code for visiting an art gallery, so wear whatever's comfortable for a few hours on your feet. Larger galleries may ask you to leave big bags and coats in the cloakroom, so travel light.

Allow 1 to 2 hours for a mid-sized art gallery and half a day for a major collection. Picking 5 or 6 works you most want to see keeps the visit focused and stops gallery fatigue setting in.