Banksy in Barcelona: What to Expect at the Banksy Museum
Introduction to the Banksy Museum in Barcelona
Banksy is the most famous and controversial street artist of all time. His name is known worldwide. And those who do not know the name have at least once seen one of his famous works somewhere on social media. Meanwhile, the artist still managed to keep his identity secret. Nobody knows who this person is - a good idea considering the essence of Banksy's art. He proudly continues the tradition of street art, which is an art of opposition and protest.
Most of the works that the artist created during his career are meant to raise questions and conduct a social dialogue upon the most difficult topics, such as poverty, inequality, religions, wars, conflicts, intolerance...
The Banksy Museum in Barcelona proudly continues the tradition of the many exhibitions worldwide, starting with Paris and continuing up to Tallinn. The museum houses over 130 works by artists that are carefully transmitted upon the walls and other surfaces, creating an immersive experience in the heart of Barcelona. The works are not original of course, but identical and transmitted with all the accuracy by the professional painters.
Top Exhibits to See at the Banksy Museum
The absolute most of Banksy's works are calling for reflection and are full of irony and provocation. Banksy is a humanist, a world citizen, the defendor of human right, activist and inconformist.
The irony, provocation and sense of humour never lack in his creations. The topics that he reflects upon are generally the following: war, conflicts, intolerance, immigration, inequality, religions, absolute power... Banksy's images challenge us to think about our roles in the society, about our own behaviour and the behaviour that the society sometimes imposes upon us.
The highlights of his collection are:
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"The Girl with the Umbrella" - originally located in New Orleans and representing the idea of the vulnerability and the shelter.
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"Love Is In The Air" - depicted on the walls of Jerusalem and calling for piece, with the image of the pieceful protestor, hurling a bouquet of flowers.
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"Girl with Balloon"- originally from London, but already deteriorated with time, probably the most recognizable piece, that shows a little girl reaching toward a heart-shaped balloon.
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"Napalm" - this work is considered the most striking of all created by Banksy. This is an image of Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald holding hands with a crying Vietnamese girl, alluding to the war that the United States conducted in Vietnam. The image of a crying girl has been copied from a famous war photo called "The Terror of War," and the two figures around it represent a statement against the economy, feeding the military complex.
Make sure you do not miss a hotel room, the installation, reproducing a real hotel room. Banksy owns The Walled Off Hotel, located next to the separation wall in Bethlehem, Palestine. This is a small boutique hotel that one can easily find on booking.com, but at the same time, it is an object or aft and social work, reflecting upon the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and attracting attention to how unstable and fragile the piece is. Critics argue a lot about this work, but one thing is unarguable: this is definitely one of the strongest creations designed by Banksy.
Why the Banksy Museum is a Must-Visit for Art Lovers
Ensure you don't miss the Banksy Museum during your visit to Barcelona. Especially if you think of yourself as an Art Lover. Street art is nowadays the type of art that talks directly to the public, and it is widely retranslated and reproduced on social media, journals, walls, and marketing materials.
The initial idea and goal of the art are back to life, with street artists such as Banksy calling for reflection upon the most difficult issues and combining deep thought with irony and humour in their works.
The Banksy Museum in Barcelona is a perfect place to discover Banksy's global art concentrated between the two floors of a medieval house. Conveniently transferred to the walls, stairs, doors, and other surfaces, these works create an immersive experience where the visitor is obliged to join the show.
Tips for Visiting the Banksy Museum in Barcelona
The Banksy Museum is a small, cosy place in the heart of Barcelona, so you won't need any special preparations to make your visit more engaging. However, you might want to plan your day to make good use of your time in this part of the city.
- Buy your tickets in advance and check the schedules to ensure the museum is open on the chosen day.
- Read or listen to a few words about Banksy if you know nothing about his artwork.
- Take one of the guided tours and listen to the guide's explanation.
- Choose the most emblematic of the pieces and make sure you make pictures with them.
- Read the captions in the museums to better understand the idea behind each work.
- Explore the area around the museum.
Free Guided Visits NB! There are free guided visits available every Monday. Check directly with the museum for the availability. The schedules are as follows: Spanish: 11:30AM y 5:00PM Catalan: 11:00AM y 4:00PM English: 4:30PM French: 11:30AM
Banksy Museum Ticket Prices and How to Buy Them
General Entrance:
- Adults (26+) - €14
- Kids (7-12) - €8,50
- Youngsters (13-25) o Seniors (65+) - €11
Free access (you will have to present еру appropriate identification document)
- Kids (up to 6 years)
- Disabled
Buy the tickets online to avoid queues and take profit of the possible discounts. Check our offers below or visit the page of the Banksy Museum for more information. In case you did not acquire your tickets before the visit, do not worry, there are always tickets on sale at the entrance.
The museum offers discounts for families and groups starting from 5 persons. Family pass( 1 at least 1 adulto + at least 2 kids) - €9 Group (5 - 9 or 11 - 50 tickets) - €10
Banksy Museum Opening Hours and Location
Monday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Last entrance at 7:15 PM)
Guided visits: Spanish: 12:00 PM / 5:00 PM English: 12:45 PM Catalan : 3:00 PM
How to get to the Banksy Museum Barcelona Banksy Museum is conveniently located in the heart of Barcelona, close to public transport and parking. You can arrive by Metro or bus, take a car, or walk if you are already in the Gothic Quarter or El Born district.
By Metro: lines 1 and 4 to Urquinaona By Bus : 19, 120, H16, N4 to the Trafalgar Bruc stop By Car with the nearest parking at Carrer de Trafalgar, 52
Nearby attractions and things to do Since the museum is located in the historic part of the city, you can easily plan your day around this visit. Here is a list of attractions located at a walking distance from the Banksy Museum:
- Palau de la Musica Catalana
- Barcelona Zoo -Arch of Triumph
- Parc de la Ciutadella
- Picasso Museum
- Moco Museum
- Born La Ribeira
- Santa Caterina Market
- Cathedral of Barcelona
- Placa Catalunya and many more
This is just an idea of how your day could look like:
- Take a snack in the Born area
- Walk through the winding streets of La Ribeira, visiting artisans' boutiques and private galleries.
- Visit El Palau de la Musica Catalana, which is located nearby.
- Walk up to the Santa Caterina Market for the selection of local foods.
- Take a picture with the Arch of Triumph.
- Finish your day with a stroll at the Parc de la Ciutadella.
General Entrance:
- Adults (26+) - €14
- Kids (7-12) - €8,50
- Youngsters (13-25) o Seniors (65+) - €11
- Family pass( 1 at least 1 adulto + at least 2 kids) - €9
Free access (you will have to present еру appropriate identification document)
- Kids (up to 6 years)
- Disabled
Monday - Sunday 10:00AM - 8:00PM (Last entrance at 7:15PM)
Guided visits:
- Spanish : 12:00PM / 5:00PM
- English : 12:45PM
- Catalan : 3:00PM
- "Girl with Balloon" (2002): One of the most recognisable piece, that was reproduced on many occasions, it depicts a girl reaching toward a heart-shaped balloon.
- "Love Is In The Air" (2003): A protestor throws a bouquet of flowers, which symbolises a call for peace.
- "Napalm" (2004): An image of Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald both holding hands with a crying Vietnamese girl from a Vietnam War picture.
- "Rage, Flower Thrower" (2003): Another call for piece - a figure throwing flowers, representing the non-violent protest.
- "The Girl with the Umbrella" (2008): A piece about vulnerability and protection.
Yes, check the list of our products on this page.
By Metro : lines 1 and 4 to Urquinaona By Bus : 19, 120, H16, N4 to the Trafalgar Bruc stop By Car with the nearest parking at Carrer de Trafalgar, 52