Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

The Palau Nacional on Montjuïc was the focus of Barcelona's International Fair in 1929 and now houses the National Museum of Catalonian Art. The museum boasts a stunning collection of Gothic, Romanesque and Medieval treasures and religious artefacts. The most impressive approach to the Palace is up Avinguda de La Reina Maria Cristina from Plaça Espanya; the Avinguda is lined with fountains that are floodlit at night.

Palau Nacional, Montjuïc

Tel: (93) 622 0367 or 622 0372. Fax: (93) 622 0374. Transport: Metro/FGC Espanya. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1900 (until 2100 Thurs) and Sun 1000-1430. Admission: Pta800; Pta500 (exhibition only); Pta900 (combined ticket).

Fundació Joan Miró

Also on Montjüic, the Joan Miró Foundation is one of the most innovative galleries in the city. The foundation was a gift from the artist himself and houses a permanent collection of his paintings, graphics and sculptures.

Parc de Montjuïc

Tel: (93) 329 1908. Fax: (93) 329 8609. E-mail: fjmiro@bcn.fjmiro.es Website: www.fjmiro.es Transport: Metro Parallel, then funicular to Parc de Montjuïc. Opening hours: Oct-Jun Tues-Sat 1000-1900 (Thurs until 2130) and Sun 1000-1430; Jul-Sep Tues-Sat 1000-2000 and Sun 1000-1430. Closed Mon. Admission: Pta800 (concessions available).

Museu Picasso

The Picasso Museum reopened in 2000 with two new exhibition spaces that will host temporary exhibitions. The permanent collection is devoted to the artist's early work, including a large number of Rose and Blue period paintings, exhibition posters and childhood sketches. The delightful collection is housed in two fifteenth-century palaces close to the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Carrer Montcada 15-19

Tel: (93) 319 6310. Fax: (93) 315 0102. E-mail: mpicasso@intercom.es Transport: Metro Jaume I. Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-2000 and Sun 1000-1500. Admission: Pta725.

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

Looking rather incongruous in the down-at-heel surroundings of the Raval district to the west of La Rambla, the brilliant-white Museum of Contemporary Arts is at the forefront of efforts to regenerate this traditionally seedy area of the city. The museum opened amid a blaze of publicity in 1995 and houses a permanent collection of post-1940s international art and various temporary exhibitions.

Plaça dels Àngels 1

Tel: (93) 412 0810. Fax: (93) 412 4602. E-mail: macaba@macaba.es Website: www.macba.es Transport: Metro FGC Plaça de Catalunya. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1100-1930, Sat 1000-2000 and Sun 1000-1500; summer extended Mon, Wed and Fri until 2000 and Thurs until 2100. Closed Tuesday. Admission: Pta775; Pta375 on Wed (concessions available).