Go on a journey from prehistory to Franco’s Spain and enjoy the spectacular views of the harbor from a rooftop bistro and terrace.
The History Museum of Catalunya traces the history of this fiercely proud region back to the Stone Age. The museum has a rooftop restaurant and terrace with excellent views stretching across the city’s Old Port area. Visit the redbrick former warehouse containing the museum and spend some time delving into the customs, traditions and history of Catalunya.
Watch the various multimedia presentations that provide an insight into the city’s past. Browse the fascinating displays that make up the museum’s permanent collection. These shed light on the history of the area when it was under Roman and Iberian rule.
The displays are set up chronologically, beginning with the excavated vestiges of hunter-gatherers and leading to the suppression of Catalan culture under General Franco’s rule in the 20th century. Explore the various temporary exhibits about Catalunya.
Go to the top floor to dine at the restaurant. Relax on its terrace and enjoy the views of the Port Vell and Montjuïc zones. Adorning the foreground are many boats lining the piers of the harbor beside the museum. The museum’s building long served as a harbor warehouse, before being transformed into its current state for the 1992 Olympic Games.
The museum opens Tuesday through Saturday from morning until evening. It closes earlier on Sundays and all day on Mondays. Purchase a ticket to enter and get free admission for kids under 8 years old.
The History Museum of Catalunya overlooks Port Vell in the Barceloneta district of the city. Get a train to the França railway station or ride the metro to the Barceloneta stop and walk for a few minutes to get here. While in the area, visit the Museu de Cera de Barcelona and L’Aquàrium.
