Spain For
Art Lovers
As the home of Picasso, Velázquez and Miró, Spain has good reason to shout about its art. Big-name artists are showcased in spectacular museums across the country, but Spain’s masterpieces aren’t confined to the past – the country’s contemporary art scene has never been more vibrant.
t Richard Serra’s The Matter of Time in the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao
Gargantuan Galleries
Three of the world’s finest museums form Madrid’s glittering Golden Triangle of Art – the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía. Highlights at the Prado include works by Velázquez and Goya; Impressionist paintings stand out at the Thyssen-Bornemisza; and Picasso’s Guernica takes centre stage at the Reina Sofía. Elsewhere, Barcelona is home to the MNAC and Bilbao has the glorious Guggenheim.
Take a Tour
Tread in the footsteps of one of your favourite artists, or discover new galleries, on one of Spain’s many art tours. In Barcelona, the official tourist board runs a Picasso walking route (bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com) and Art Space Tours (artspacetours.com) offers guided gallery visits, art-themed dinners and photography tours. On the other side of the country, visitors can take in the capital’s museums with an artist or art historian with Insider’s Madrid (www.insidersmadrid.com).
Open-Air Galleries
From graffiti to outdoor sculptures, Spain is packed with some amazing public art. Check out the work of El Niño de la Pintura, the “Spanish Banksy”, in Granada, or Miró’s surrealist sculptures. While you’re in the capital, take a street art tour or graffiti workshop with Cool Tour Spain (www.cooltourspain.com). Street Art Barcelona will lead you to the city’s best works (www.streetartbcn.com) and Free Tour Valencia (freetourvalencia.com) will show you around art-festooned El Carmen. Look out for works by Escif.
Mi Casa Es Tu Casa
Get intimate insights into some of Spain’s most revered artists by visiting their homes. Find the source of Salvador Dalí’s Surrealist inspiration at his whitewashed cottage in Cadaqués. For Goya, head to the 18th-century farmhouse in Fuendetodos where he was born, while Picasso’s birthplace in Málaga is just a stone’s throw from the wonderful Picasso Museum.
Insider Tip
Pick Up Your Paint Brush
Why not try your hand at creating your own Spanish masterpiece on a painting holiday? Paint Andalucía coaches aspiring artists in the little village of Torrox (paint-andalucia.com).
DISCOVER Spain Your Way
Spanish Artists
Pablo Picasso
Admire works by the founder of Cubism at Barcelona’s Museu Picasso.
Salvador Dalí
The exterior of the Teatre-Museu Dalí is just as inspiring as the Surrealist masterpieces found inside.
Joan Miró
Visit Miró’s study at the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró in Mallorca.
Cristina Iglesias
This award-winning Spanish artist designed the bronze entrance to the Prado.
Diego Velázquez
Velázquez’s intriguing Las Meninas is located in the Prado.