Looking for different ways to spice up your holidays in Barcelona? I’ve got just the treat for you. Fiestas, siestas and tapas are all the rage, but here’s why you should add the Banksy Museum Barcelona to your itinerary.

Maybe you’ve heard of Banksy… or maybe, you haven’t. Regardless, this museum will have you marvelling over his gob-smacking graffiti art. I’ve been a long-time fan, so when I discovered a Banksy Museum in Barcelona, I couldn’t help but get all giddy.

Catalonia’s capital is coined for Gaudí’s masterpieces, the breezy beaches and non-stop nightlife. The typical tourist experiences are usually made up of visits to the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and Casa Batlló.

Don’t get me wrong, these top attractions in Barcelona certainly deserve all the credit. But, there’s a lot more beyond the surface.

This coastal city is draped with a diversity of breathtaking experiences, and surprisingly, there’s still a handful of hidden gems left to discover.

Getting off the typical tourist trail is one of the best ways to explore a city. Here’s why you should squeeze in a visit to this Barcelona art museum.

Who Is Banksy?

Before you consider visiting this art museum in Barcelona, you may be wondering who Banksy is…

This British street artist is known for his iconic, show-stopping pieces that are scattered around big cities like London, Paris and New York.

He first took the scene by storm in the late 1990s, in Bristol, England. His free-hand graffiti gained traction after the public started to discover the deeper meaning of each piece.

He holds humanitarianism, activism and non-conformism close to his heart, and those traits are all entailed in his work.

As much as his art is thought-provoking, there’s also a dash of humour every now and again. This Bristol-born, anonymous graffiti artist depicts anti-authoritarian takes on significant world events. And he even addresses heart-breaking issues like war, immigration, surveillance, consumerism and poverty with an interesting take.

Banksy challenges the norms and conventions of our modern-day society, and his work is a powerful tool for getting people to reflect.

My Experience at Banksy Museum Barcelona

Having lived in Barcelona for more than six years, I’ve gotten to know the city quite well. I find so much fulfilment in my life here, and I’m so grateful to call this city home. The sunny beach runs, sweaty spin classes, tight-knit community and creative freedom fill my week up with sheer joy.

Plus, walking past iconic sites and admiring the architecture never gets old. The art, style and slew of staggering landmarks keep me feeling inspired. And, on the daily. Nowadays, spotting something new kind of feels like a game. Every time I stroll the streets I try to find details, corners and peculiar pieces that I haven’t noticed before.

About one year ago, I travelled with a close friend to Morocco. Apparently, her uncle had told her that half a month in Barcelona was too much time.

‘Two weeks’, he said. ‘I did Barcelona in just three days’.

Obviously, I huffed at that comment. I’ve lived here for over half a decade, and I still feel like I haven’t seen it all. That comment got me thinking. And to be honest, it kind of sent me into a spiral. Travelling to a destination only offers insight into one side of a city. And the longer you stay, the more you unravel.

After nearly a decade of travelling around the world, I’ve come to a conclusion. Well, many conclusions. But here’s one that I find most important. When you travel, you can’t just ‘do’ a city… even though it may seem small and compact. And even though you may have ticked the top attractions off your bucket list…

A city as expansive and extraordinary as Barcelona deserves more than just a few days in your Europe itinerary. Because after all, there’s a reason why creative geniuses like Picasso, Gaudí and Miró spent many years circulating the scene here.

So, I’ve spent the past year deep in research. I’ve scoured the web for local activities, quaint villages and unique things to do in Barcelona. I’ve hit the heights on a hot air balloon ride in Igualada, visited a local leather workshop in El Born and hiked in the hilltops of Montserrat National Park.

Naturally, I always seek out a range of experiences. I like to fill my time with adrenaline-packed activities and authentic local experiences.

As much as I love an action-packed adventure, I also find a deep sense of delight in the seemingly simple things, like art and architecture. I’ve visited a lot of museums in Barcelona, but recently, I discovered the Banksy Museum.

‘Ah’, I thought. Could this museum live up to all the hype? Buzzing cities like New York, London and Paris are famous for their myriad of Banksy Museums. I had a hunch that this street art museum could be the perfect addition for any traveller looking to get off the typical tourist trail.

So, after speaking with the lovely Noemi, I got organised and locked in a visit at the end of August. When the day arrived, my friend and I ventured inside the Banksy Museum in Barcelona.

We weren’t quite sure what to expect. I’d read a few reviews, but I wanted to stay present and get fully immersed in the experience. And sometimes, I think the best way to do this is to go in with zero expectations.

Upon arrival, we were greeted with Noemi’s friendly face. She brushed over some of the details and mentioned that there are three floors with over 130 works, before sending us on our way. We pranced around the first floor, which was dedicated to London.

Then, we made our way up to the second floor, which was dedicated to France and Italy. Paris, in particular, was graced with a lot of his works, and it was a city where Banksy temporarily resided. We made our way down to the bottom floor, where we were taken aback by the mix of multimedia pieces.

Alongside Banksy’s iconic graffiti pieces, there were sofas, hotel-room-set-ups, neon-lit signs and clothing strung from the walls. There was even a television showcasing news reports and documentary-style videos.

This art museum in Barcelona boasted a bounty of works, but it was the creative layout and immersive experiences that really stood out. Every corner of this space was carefully curated, and if you don’t know by now, I’m a sucker for meticulous planning and attention to detail. Banksy Museum Barcelona hit that right on the head.

After trotting around the museum, we stepped out for a breath of fresh air. The terrace was draped with plants and dotted with Banksy pieces. I loved spotting the little details - like the fish on the floor and the two angels on the walls.

As my friend and I sat down to discuss what we’d seen, Noemi brought us out a platter of ‘pica pica’. The board was filled with Meditteranean veggies, tasty Spanish cheese and crunchy peanuts. The food paired perfectly with a glass of Estrella Damm, a classic Catalan, blonde beer.

We said ‘salud’ and continued to dive deep into the experience. I feel that Museo Banksy really did justice to the world-famous artist. It felt so surreal to see so many interpretations of his life-size works.

The fact that he’s managed to keep his identity anonymous is just as impressive. And the fact that he continues to spray the streets with massive murals and petite pieces forever intrigues me.

The Banksy Museum in Barcelona really has you feeling like you’re out on the streets. The layout and urban scenography effortlessly take you from one city to the next.

And from one era to the next. You flow through the phases of his life, admiring his emblematic art and picking out the connections with significant world events.

Banksy’s art challenges typical views and his anti-authoritarian and non-confirmative take on life will leave you contemplating.

I left this art museum in Barcelona feeling inspired and forever grateful for the opportunity. Noemi thoughtfully gave me a beautiful book of Banksy’s artwork, a gift that I’ll cherish forever.

If you’re planning a trip to Barcelona, I’d highly recommend visiting Museo Banksy. Fill your stomach with tapas and top attractions, relax at Mar Bella Beach and spend some immersed in the world of Banksy’s street art.

This Barcelona museum is unlike anything else you’ll experience in the city. If you’re a creative aficionado, be sure to stop by other famous museums in Barcelona, like the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) and Museu Picasso.

What to Expect in Museu Banksy

The Banksy Museum in Barcelona, also known as Museu Banksy, is located in the heart of Old Town (Ciutat Vella).

Spread across three floors, the museum houses more than 130 interpretations of his famous artworks. The exhibition combines his art with an inventory of paintings, prints and multimedia installations.

In the collection, you’ll find an array of the artist's best-known works, These include Girl with Balloon, Love is in the Air, Flower Thrower and Napalm. Each of these is well-known for its powerful political statement.