Barcelona is a city of art which supports the arts.

Art and culture exhibitions and projects in the city by artists from around the world, are a result of the artistic concerns that have always characterised the great city.

The first human settlements in Barcelona date back to Neolithic times. The city itself was founded by the Romans who set up a colony called Barcino at the end of the 1st century BC. The colony had some thousand inhabitants and was bounded by a defensive wall, the remains of which can still be seen in the old town. 

​For over 200 years, Barcelona was under Muslim rule, and, following the Christian reconquest, it became a county of the Carolingian Empire and one of the main residences of the court of the Crown of Aragon. The fruitful medieval period established Barcelona's position as the economic and political centre of the Western Mediterranean.

​The city's Gothic Quarter bears witness to the splendour enjoyed by the city from the 13th to the 15th centuries. From the 15th to 18th centuries Barcelona entered a period of decline, while it struggled to maintain its economic and political independence. ​​

Art and culture exhibitions and projects in the city by artists from around the world, are a result of the artistic concerns that have always characterised the great city.

This struggle ended in 1714, when the city fell to the Bourbon troops and Catalonia's and Catalans' rights and privileges were suppressed.

A period of cultural recovery began in the mid-19th century with the arrival of the development of the textile industry. During this period, which was known as the Renaixença, Catalan regained prominence as a literary language.

The 20th century ushered in widespread urban renewal throughout Barcelona city, culminating in its landmark Eixample district, which showcases some of Barcelona's most distinctive Catalan art-nouveau, or modernista, buildings.

The Catalan Antoni Gaudí, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as the Casa Milà 
​(known as La Pedrera, the Catalan for stone quarry), the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família church, which have become world-famous landmarks. The freedoms achieved during this period were severely restricted during the Civil War in 1936 and the subsequent dictatorship. 

The Catalan Antoni Gaudí, one of the most eminent architects, designed buildings such as the Casa Milà (known as La Pedrera, the Catalan for stone quarry), the Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família church, which have become worldfamous landmarks.
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​With the reinstatement of democracy in 1978, Barcelona society regained its economic strength and the Catalan language was restored. The city's hosting of the 1992 Olympic Games gave fresh impetus to Barcelona's potential and reaffirmed its status as a major metropolis. In 2004, the Forum of Cultures reclaimed industrial zones to convert them into residential districts. An example of the renewed vigour with which Barcelona is looking towards the 21st century. 

What's over here? And a couple of streets over there?

Wherever you are in Barcelona, there's always something to see nearby around the neighbourhood or district: jewels of home-grown Catalan architecture, modernisme, and contemporary architecture, markets that are a treat for the senses, treasures of the ancient Roman and medieval city, parks where you can unwind … And the best thing of all is, you don't have to be a great explorer to find and discover all of Barcelona’s neighbourhoods.

​The city streets are an extension of the lives of its inhabitants; they are part of their homes, their way of sharing and living together in what is, in short, their home or everyone's home. If we walk through Barcelona and look at its street signs, we'll see the names of poets, architects, scholars, politicians, property owners and families, as well as guilds or words that have their origins not so much in an intellectual act but in a popular saying.

Every street has its own unique story to tell. They contain the memories, events and remnants of history that have
​shaped the soul and spirit of the thoroughfares in the heart of the city. The word “Rambla” comes from the Arabic word “Ramla”, meaning “sandy river bed”. When it rained, water flowed down from the mountains and ran along the river bed.

After the hospital had been built, the river bed was turned into a street known as La Rambla; it was Barcelona's first and only major wide boulevard. At the time, Barcelona only had narrow streets that kept the houses cool during the summer months. This made La Rambla the best street in Barcelona for taking a walk. It also gave the well-to-do the chance to show off their wealth, as their exclusive attire and jewellery didn't catch anyone's attention in the dark, narrow streets. The word “Rambla” was even turned into an expression “ramblear” which means “to people-watch”.
You can still “ramblear” on Barcelona's Rambla. So don't miss the opportunity to do so.

Taking a leisurely stroll along La Rambla is an absolute must when you visit Barcelona. The city's most iconic boulevard stretches for just over 1 km from Plaça de Catalunya to the sea. The Port Vell begins where La Rambla ends and offers a wealth of leisure attractions, bars and restaurants. In October it hosts the boat show, the Saló Nàutic Internacional de Barcelona.

The Columbus Monument, stands proudly at the end of La Rambla and its viewing gallery boasts superb views of the sea and the famous boulevard below. The nearby Gothic shipyards, the Drassanes Reials, are home to the city's maritime museum, the Museu Marítim and if you make your way to the waterfront, and the Moll de la Fusta quay, you'll be able to see the Pailebot Santa Eulàlia, a historic schooner that celebrates its centenary this year. At this point, the walkway known as the Rambla de Mar, will take you to the Maremagnum shopping complex and L'Aquàrium. 

​Best of all, no matter where you go in Barcelona, you’ll find that artists are just as accessible as the art they create.

​If you want to enjoy breathtaking views of the port, the sea and the city, we suggest you make your way to the top of Montjuïc. You can get there easily from Paral·lel, on the funicular and cable car. The panoramic views from the Mirador de l'Alcalde and Montjuïc Castle are truly spectacular and the park's green spaces and gardens are perfect places to stroll and relax. ​Montjuïc is also home to major attractions, including the Anella Olímpica, the Poble Espanyol and the Jardí Botànic (Botanical Gardens) and museums of the calibre of the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, the Fundació Joan Miró and the CaixaFòrum.

To make your visit to Barcelona truly complete, we suggest a combination of sea-based and cultural activities. The big advantage is that you can do them all in one day. 

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Explore Barcelona's Museums​

ART, CULTURE, SCIENCE AND ENTERTAINMENT COME TOGETHER IN BARCELONA'S MUSEUMS: EGYPTIAN MUMMIES AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS OF ART, THE CITY'S ROMAN ORIGINS AND ONE OF EUROPE'S BIGGEST SPORTS CLUBS. BARCELONA'S CULTURAL LIFE IS RICH.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
The Museu Nacional takes visitors on an uninterrupted journey through a thousand years of Catalan art, from the 10th to the 20th centuries, through its four permanent collections: Romanesque and Gothic art, Renaissance and Baroque art, Modern art, photography, drawings, prints and posters and the Catalan Numismatic Department.

Museu del Modernisme de Barcelona 
The holdings of the new Museu del Modernisme de Barcelona (MMCat) come from the private collection that two Barcelona antique dealers, Fernando Pinós and María Guirao, have amassed during their 40 years in the business. The museum is dedicated exclusively to Catalonia's home-grown artnouveau movement, modernisme. The collection on shows consists of 350 works by 42 of the most representative modernista artists, including Joan Busquets, Ramón Casas, Antoni Gaudí, Gaspar Homar, Josep Llimona, Joaquim Mir and Puig i Cadafalch, in their different disciplines: painting, sculpture, furniture and the decorative arts.

Casa Museu Gaudí 
The Gaudí House Museum was the home of the architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (1852-1926) from 1906 until 1925.
It was built as a show house for the Park Güell development scheme and designed by Francesc d'Assís Berenguer i Mestres (1866- 1914), the architect's friend and right-hand man. It opened to the public as the Gaudí House Museum on 28th September 1963. Since 1992 it has been owned by the Fundació Junta Constructora del Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, which has restored the house to give us an insight into Gaudí's life and work and what it was like when he lived there.

Fundació Fran Daurel 
The Fran Daurel private collection focuses mainly on Catalan art, comprising works by major artists such as Dalí, Guinovart, Ràfols-Casamada, Cuixart, Tàpies, Barceló, Plensa, Millares and Picasso. The latest addition to the Fundació Fran Daurel is the Sculpture Garden, which is reached through the Montblanc gate. 5,000 m2 of land has been reclaimed so that visitors can enjoy this permanent open-air sculpture collection. New works have been added to the garden which now comprises a green area featuring 41 sculptures by 27 contemporary artists, forming a landscape in which the figurative and abstract coexist, forming a wide range of shapes and colours which show us contemporary art from a different slant.

Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món – Montcada 
The Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món is the result of a passion for collecting and knowledge of other cultures. The museum seeks to preserve, restore and make accessible objects of incalculable cultural value in order to disseminate the artistic wealth and ethnic heritage of non-Western countries. The museum has worked in association with other public and private art collections throughout the world to bring together a display of highly valuable pieces. Founded in 2012 in La Ribera, the Museum brings together a selection of more than 30,000 pieces originating from Asia, America, Africa and Oceania, and 2,356 works from the Folch Collection, the most important non-Western art collection in Catalonia. 

Museu Picasso 
The museum shows the solid bond between the Malaga-born genius and the city of Barcelona. The permanent collection comprises over 3,800 works from different periods, but with particular emphasis on works from his formative years and youth. The Museum Picasso also features the extraordinary Las Meninas series, works from the Blue Period, as well as an extensive programme of exhibitions which complement the permanent collections.

Museu Europeu d'art Modern - MEAM 
The Fundació de les Arts i els Artistes has founded the MEAM, Museu Europeu d'Art Modern, as a showcase for its collections. The Foundation's mission is to give impetus to and disseminate figurative art, and, more specifically, painting and sculpture from the late 19th century to the present day. The Foundation's holdings will be the focus of the MEAM's displays, although temporary exhibitions are planned in order to ensure it generates a dynamic and attractive programme of events.

MUHBA - Museu d'Història de Barcelona 
The Centre d'Interpretació del Call showcases everyday objects from the 13th and 14th centuries. Noteworthy exhibits include Khanukiyyes, dishes with Hebrew characters, and a facsimile of the illustrated manuscript, the Sarajevo Haggadahvwhich depicts 15thcentury scenes, and two tombstones with Hebrew inscriptions. 

Hemp Museum Barcelona 
For thousands of years, the story of cannabis has evolved hand in hand with the story of civilisation until it has become part of our everyday lives. This is why the Hash Marihuana Cáñamo & Hemp Museum Barcelona invites you to take an interesting journey to discover this plant species which has been essential in our development.

CaixaForum 
CaixaForum offers a wide range of events with a broad appeal: exhibitions of ancient, modern and contemporary art, which make CaixaForum one of Barcelona's most dynamic, active and vibrant venues. Exhibitions devoted to international artists, together with concerts, film screenings, debates and lectures. 

MACBA - Museu Art Contemporani de Barcelona
The MACBA's programme of events explores the most complex visions of contemporary art in a space that is open to the exchange of ideas and experimentation set out around a landmark cultural plaza that includes a Gothic chapel and the iconic museum building designed by Richard Meier.

Fundació Joan Miró 
Miró's artistic career and the wide variety of techniques he used are widely represented by the more than 14,000 exhibits on display. 217 paintings, 178 sculptures, a variety of prints and textiles and over 8,000 drawings provide an in-depth understanding of the creative process of the Catalan genius. It also has a pioneering exhibition space, Espai 13, which stimulates experimentation among young artists.

La Pedrera 
Known as La Pedrera due to its austere external appearance, resembling an opencast quarry, sinuous and with forms drawn from nature, it comprises two apartment blocks connected by interior courtyards and with a shared façade. Gaudí designed the building at the age of 54, when he was at the height of his powers, and it was his last piece of civil architecture which represented a break with the ways of perceiving architecture at the time. ​​

​Camp Nou Experience 
The stadium of Footbal Club Barcelona, the city's eponymous soccer institution is an experience that will thrill even those that don't care for sports.

Museu Frederic Marès 
The collection is divided into two main sections: the sculpture collection and a collection of everyday objects and collectors' items, called the Gabinet del Coleccionista. The sculpture collection features works of art from around Spain spanning the pre-Roman period to the 19th century, and includes important exhibits from the Middle Ages and polychrome religious carvings. Spanish sculptures from the Renaissance and baroque periods are also widely represented and there are examples of works from the main Spanish schools of sculpture, from the medieval period to modern times. The "Gabinet del Col·leccionista" showcases a series of handcrafted objects that bear witness to the everyday lives of our ancestors from the 15th to 19th centuries and is divided into three galleries.

Museu de l'Eròtica
​The Museum's presents 800 pieces of great historical value showcasing the erotic manifestations of a wide range of cultures, from a ritualistic, religious and recreational point of view, and spanning several periods in our history, from Greece and Rome to the 1920s. The museum also hosts contemporary erotic art by internationally renowned artists. 

Museu Marítim de Barcelona 
Since 1929, the Museu Marítim de Barcelona has built up a major collection of exhibits which are illustrative of Catalan seafaring culture and make it easier to understand the factors that influenced the country's maritime history.
The museum provides a journey through the history of seafaring with recreations of authentic maritime settings.

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​BARCELONA LIT​

LIGHTING INSPIRED BY AND FROM THE CITY OF THE CATHEDRAL BY THE SEA

Marset - Bicoca collection

“Inspired in Barcelona: Mediterranean Design” exhibition was a tale of light. Barcelona’s lifestyle and values were “lit up” by about 25 collections of lamps for indoor and outdoor at Milan Design Week 2019.

​The lighting products had been selected from the most famous brands of Catalan creative entrepreneurship.
Table lamps, thin suspension, outdoor lanterns, retro-style products that recall post top luminaries, LED circle and bollards: the “Inspired in Barcelona: Mediterranean Design” exhibition at Fuorisalone 2019 - promoted by Catalonia Trade & Investment, Ajuntament de Barcelona and organized by BCD Barcelona Centre de Disseny with the participation of Habitat Cluster.

Barcelona - included about 25 lighting collections, each with a different design, a different material and a different use, but all with the common matter of being “Mediterranean”.
The values of the main Catalan city and its unique lifestyle were indeed emphasized at Milan Design Week 2019 by a tale of light, that released the power of the sun and the benefits of social sharing through design.

From Vibia to Marset, from Santa&Cole to Estiluz, from Carpyen to Bover Barcelona Lights, from Faro Barcelona to Lamp and Tunds, the most famous Barcelona brands were matched with smaller companies to bring attention to the illumination traditions and design heritage of Barcelona. 

Urban lighting systems reminiscent of the streets, boardwalks and parks, that are typically filled with outdoor tables and equipment, thus offering the opportunity to enjoy social time. ​

​Furthermore, lighting collections characterised by a combination of materials such as wood, metal, stone and ceramic, suggest the idea of being at home, while iconic suspensions refer to workspaces or hospitality areas.

Inside a large open space in 14, via Dante, the exhibition offered a combination of the best Mediterranean Design manufactured in Barcelona. There were no rooms but just design products that allowed the international audience to experience the real feelings coming from the rhythms and the colors of the city and its distinctive cultural heritage. ​

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EMILIANA DESIGN STUDIO ​: RE-DESIGNING LIFE FROM CATALUNYA

emiliana design studio was founded at the end of the 90’s by Ana Mir and Emili Padrós, who had recently achieved their MA's in Design at London Central Saint Martins School of Art & Design

SPHERES, Produced by Escofet

JUNE, Produced by Vibia

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​Since the beginning, the studio was characterised for promoting a multidisciplinary approach to design practice, this fact has allowed the studio to develop a diverse, solid and rich career.
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The relevance of the concept in the creative process, the research in the historical and socio-cultural context, the experimentation with different materials, the attention for the details, the devoted exploration of new typologies, the active involvement of the user, the search for a poetic gesture and the use of a particular sense of humour, are among the essential aspects that emerge in the projects by emiliana design studio.

“We usually work in projects that require a certain degree of challenge. Whatever it may be – an industrial product, a unique piece, a space or exhibition – we always face projects with generosity and hig​h enthusiasm and of course with the maximum technical rigour."

EMILIANA DISPENSER, Produced by Moritz

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HOTEL COTTON HOUSE

​THE 5 STAR HOTEL DESIGNED FOR THE MOST CURIOUS TRAVELLERS, WHO WANT TO DISCOVER THE TRUE ESSENCE OF BARCELONA.

​The Cotton House stands imposingly on the site of the former headquarters of the Cotton textile foundation “fundación textil algodonera”, an emblematic 19thcentury building in the neoclassical style which is a landmark in the city of Barcelona. Built on the orders of a family of the Catalan bourgeoisie when the textile industry was at its height, it was sold in the middle of the 20th Century to the Cotton Producers Guild which established its headquarters there with the aim of housing the highest possible number of cotton producing bodies and services: the idea was to create a genuine Cotton House.

Finally, at the initiative of a group of hotel promoters in Barcelona, the building commenced an intense refurbishment process which culminated in January ​2015 to reveal the beautiful Cotton House hotel. The refurbishment project has taken great care to maintain and recover all the original elements of the building. Acclaimed interior designer Lázaro Rosa Violán was commissioned with the project and has done a marvellous job; reflecting a contemporary and sophisticated style, which at the same time incorporates all the functionalities needed to assure the luxury level of service and comfort that our guests deserve.

COTTON HOUSE IS MORE THAN A HOTEL. IT IS MORE THAN A HOUSE. IT IS THE PLACE WHERE WE WILL WRAP YOU IN COTTON.
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The original elements of the building have been conserved, such as the imposing marble staircase, delicate parquet and boiserie embellishing ceilings, floors and walls in some of the rooms. also the famous spiral staircase built in 1957, the main feature of which is that it is not supported on the floor below, but is suspended from the metal frame of the upper floor, to give a light and airy aspect. At the same time, all the facilities of the building have been completely replaced, resulting in a distinguished setting full of history, yet modern and comfortable at the same time.

Like the buildings in this original district, the Cotton House has an interior patio garden. The eixample was planned at the end of the 19th century and today it is one of the best districts in Barcelona thanks to its planning simplicity and the quantity of services and amenities it offers. It was the district chosen by rich Catalan industrial bourgeoisie to build their stately homes in the Modernist style, which is why it is the area of Barcelona with the highest concentration of buildings in this style. Of particular note are la Pedrera and Casa Batlló, both the work of Gaudí, Barcelona’s most universal architect (they are a 10-minute walk from the hotel). not forgetting the Sagrada Familia, a 20-minute walk away. 

The hotel has 83 refined, comfortable rooms, five of which are spacious suites. The decoration is inspired by cotton through a chromatic combination of the white, black and sepia of the cotton plant and everything it evokes: softness, comfort, delicacy and naturalness. The rooms have been designed to offer all possible comforts, including: bed linen that is made of sheets with 300 thread count mercerized Egyptian cotton and cosmetics by the prestigious Ortigia brand, made with 100% natural products from the Mediterranean area.

​LOCATED IN THE HEART OF BARCELONA, IN THE EIXAMPLE DISTRICT: A PERFECT GRID OF WIDE STREETS THAT FORM BLOCKS WITH CHAMFERS ON EACH CORNER.

Terrace: the hotel has a spacious terrace with lush vegetation, accessible from the Batuar Bar and Restaurant, where meals are also served. It is located at the back of the hotel, in a spacious block patio very typical of the buildings of the Eixample district.

Library: located in one of the rooms that the members of the Cotton Producers Guild used for meetings and as a social club. Here guests can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea.   

Outdoor Pool: on the roof of the building there is a magnificent outdoor pool with views. Barcelona enjoys a pleasant temperature and sunshine most of the year so this pool and solarium guarantee a flattering tan. 

WHETHER IT IS CULTURAL, ARTISTIC, ABOUT CUISINE OR PRACTICAL. WE AIM THAT EACH GUEST’S EXPERIENCE IN OUR CITY WILL BE INTENSE, ENRICHING AND AUTHENTIC.​

​l’atelIer: The Cotton House offers its guests an artisanal tailor service provided by the professionals of santa eulalia, the most prestigious tailor establishment in Barcelona. at the request of our guests, a tailor from that firm will come to our atelier to take his/her measurements, advise and select unique fabrics of the highest quality to make the desired garments.

​Beauty Treatment: at the gym, our guests can continue with their regular exercise routine. our guests will be able to relish the most relaxing and replenishing beauty treatments in our cabin. 

Gossypium: We reinvent the traditional concierge service, by placing emphasis on offering each guest the information that is of most interest to him or her. ​

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DISCOVER ENDLESSLY CREATIVE BARCELONA:  ​www.barcelonaturisme.com

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