Top Art Galleries To Explore In Barcelona

In need of an art fix? The first thing that comes to mind is the city’s famed museums, such as the Picasso Museum and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. While those are also must-sees, Barcelona’s independent art galleries are just as interesting.

From limited exhibitions to showcases of local Barcelona artists, these venues offer new perspectives on art. Some even organize weekly events that people can participate in. Oh, and most of them are entirely free. Are you looking to uncover something amazing?

1. Senda

This historical gallery in Barcelona was formed in 1991 and recently relocated to Trafalgar Street in 2015. The space, led by Carlos Duran and Chus Roig, stands out for its eclecticism. The gallery promotes both emerging and established artists on a national and international scale. It rejects linear thinking and speaks a variety of artistic languages.

2. Artur Ramon Art

This gallery has its origins in a large antique shop and focuses on paintings and drawing. Artur Ramon Art has a modernised and cosy space offering contemporary approaches to unique and high-quality artwork, as well as a private gallery space with some pieces available to buy.

3. Bombon

Bernat Daviu and Joana Rueda are the visionaries behind Bombon, an adventure in the shape of a gallery that deviates from traditional galleries. They encourage and represent artists while also aiming to be a multipurpose environment where a variety of activities can take place. The most important thing, however, is to promote new generations through contemporary art.

4. Galeria Mayoral

The gallery showcases postwar art by notable artists such as Miró, Picasso, Dalí, Dau al Set, Calder, Magritte, Chagall, Chillida, Saura, and Millares, as well as those with a connection to Catalonia. Each item serves a specific purpose and is the result of extensive research and documentation.

5. Chiquita Room

This artistic venue in the Sant Antoni district was designed to function as a gallery, artist residency, cultural booster, and art book publisher. Chiquita Room arose from Laura González’s publishing project, Chiquita Ediciones, an independent micro publisher of art books specializing in multidisciplinary work and enlarged editions. González describes it as a platform for sharing, making art accessible, leaving complexities behind, and personal development.

6. Marlborough

The Marlborough family of galleries was created in London in 1946 and rose to prominence in the 1950s as the first gallery to exhibit German Expressionists in London. By 1958, Marlborough was representing artists including Oskar Kokoschka, Henry Moore, Francis Bacon, Victor Pasmore, and Lucian Freud.The New York gallery opened in 1962, and Tokyo and Madrid followed suit. They have locations in Chile, Florida, Monaco, Chelsea, and, of course, Barcelona, which opened in 2006.

7. ProjecteSD

Silvia Dauder’s passion for modern photography and film is shown in her delicate, provocative, and extremely innovative exhibits. Limited-edition artist texts, extensive explanations in English, and Silvia’s bilingual abilities round out the exhibitions. You’ll be fascinated when you walk in, but knowledgeable when you leave. Watch out for Patricia Dauder, Pieter Vermeersch, and Asier Mendizábal.

8. Joan Prats

Joan Prats has participated in the art fairs Arco, Art Basel, and Art Basel-Miami Beach since their debut in 1976. The gallery is dedicated to several artistic disciplines and names from the modern scene, including Ràfols Casamada, Luis Gordillo, Juliao Sarmento, Perejaume, Carles Congost, and Teresa Solar Abboud, among others. The gallery was one of the city’s pioneers in contemporary art, and it continues to promote the diverse ways these artists express themselves.

9. Nogueras Blanchard

This gallery moved in 2015 from C/ Xucla in Barcelona to its current location in L’Hospitalet. It worked with fifteen artists, including Ester Partegàs, Leandro Erlich and Wilfredo Prieto, names with commitment or their own voice to challenge the viewer about the world around him.

10. ADN

ADN began with the goal of developing a hybrid platform that combined commercial mediation and cultural contribution to promote contemporary artistic trends. The gallery showcases socio-political works by artists such Eugenio Merino, Núria Güell, Democracia collective, and Carlos Aires.

11. RocioSantaCruz ART

Rocio Santa Cruz, who previously led Raiña Lupa o + R projects, now runs this modern art gallery as a production space. The gallery also promotes and displays the works of local artists in the area, including veterans like Ferran Garcia Sevilla and younger artists like Mar Arza and Blanca Casas.

12. Àngels Barcelona

Emilio Álvarez, a local gallery owner and entrepreneur, is credited for preserving the Barcelona contemporary art scene and fostering communication among its diverse factions. This smart room displays photography and video pieces, as well as occasional performances. Nearby Room Service (C/Àngels; 16, 93 302 1016) focuses on furniture design, while Álvarez’s restaurant Carmelitas (C/Doctor Dou 1, 93 412 4684, www.carmelitasgallery.com) showcases lo-fi video art during meals.

13. Estrany de la Mota

This enormous basement is one of the most unique art locations in town. It has remarkable contemporary exhibitions, particularly in photography and video, by Finnish artist Esko Männikkö and Scottish cinema aficionado Douglas Gordon.

14. Galeria Miquel Alzueta

Pictorial and photographic gallery that works with established and emerging artists.

15. Sala Parés

Sala Parés is Barcelona’s oldest art gallery and the first to open in all of Spain. Galeria Trama, a modern art gallery located on the same street as the Sala Parés, opened in 1991. More recently, the entire room began operating solely as Sala Parés, and it now exhibits figurative and realistic paintings as well as other modern works that cross disciplines such as sculpture, photography, video art, and other hybrid genres.

16. A34

Paco Revés’ gallery started in 2005; he is an experienced art aficionado who formerly worked in the entertainment industry. In this exhibition, art pieces coexist with unusual artifacts and furniture. They represent artists such Antoni Llena, Joan Miró, Luis Marsans, Hernández Pijuan, and Saul Steinberet, among others.

17. Halfhouse

Sinéad Spelman and Alberto Peral relocated from Vallvidrera to La Verneda, where they now share a gallery and space with other artist pals. Although Halfhouse is no longer only an exhibition space, the initiative continues to foster independent art and maintains a welcome atmosphere, always asking creatives to build intriguing and unique ideas.