
Visiting Barcelona for the First Time? Here's What to See and Do
Take the bother out of a trip to Barcelona with our first time–friendly recommendations.
Whether you happen upon the Erotic Museum of Barcelona while wandering around the Gothic Quarter, or prebook skip-the-line admission, this late-night attraction offers a Barcelona experience like few others. Discover hundreds of paintings, photos, sculptures, and other works of art inspired by the influence and culture of eroticism. Get more out of your visit by purchasing admission that includes an audio guide and a glass of champagne, or opt for the private Marilyn Monroe tour.
Leave the kids at home—many exhibits are inappropriate for young visitors.
Give yourself plenty of time, since the museum showcases more than 800 pieces in 14 rooms.
Situated on the bustling La Rambla, the Erotic Museum is most easily reached by public transit. Take the L3 metro line to the Liceu stop, or the 59 bus to the La Rambla-La Boqueria stop. Alternatively, consider joining a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which typically stops along La Rambla and in the heart of the nearby Gothic Quarter.
The Erotic Museum is open daily from 10am to 12am, and holds limited holiday hours. For fewer crowds, particularly during Barcelona’s peak tourist season (May through August), go early in the week, and earlier in the day.
Stepping out of the Erotic Museum, you’ll find yourself on the busy La Rambla (or Las Ramblas, to locals). The .75-mile (1.2-kilometer) pedestrian-friendly stretch offers outdoor cafés, numerous vendors, and some of the best people-watching in the city. Look for the original Joan Miró mosaic set into the pavement, and stop for some pintxos at the Mercat de la Boqueria.