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What to do in Barcellona when it rains

It rarely rains in Barcelona, but when it does the city has plenty to offer under cover. The museums are many and large, from the Museu Picasso to the MNAC, and Gaudí's houses are mostly visited indoors. Covered markets such as the Boqueria are good shelter for lunch. The rain usually does not last long, so keep an outdoor stop up your sleeve.

Below is an indoor route that fills a whole day, and further down every indoor place, sorted by how far it is from you. In the planner you can choose "Indoors only": the outdoor stops drop out and the walks between stops stay short.

An indoor route

  1. Museu Picasso

    Five medieval palaces in El Born with the young Picasso's work and his Las Meninas series. Allow an hour and a half; a timed ticket is best bought in advance.

  2. Casa Batlló

    Gaudí's house on Passeig de Gràcia is visited almost entirely indoors, through curving rooms and the blue-tiled light well. A perfect choice in bad weather.

  3. Palau Güell

    A step from La Rambla, Gaudí's mansion with its halls beneath a dome pierced with light. Indoors, and visited in an hour with the audio guide.

  4. MNAC – Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

    The great museum in the Palau Nacional, with the Romanesque frescoes of the Pyrenees and Catalan art up to the 20th century. It fills a whole morning, under cover.

  5. Mercat de la Boqueria

    La Rambla's covered market is ideal shelter at lunchtime: you eat at the counter among stalls of fruit, fish and ham. Closed on Sundays.

  6. Palau de la Música Catalana

    The Modernista concert hall is seen on an indoor guided tour, and hosts concerts in the evening. The stained-glass skylight shines even under a grey sky.

In the form, choose "Indoors only": outdoor stops drop out and the walks between stops stay short.

Plan an indoor walk

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Every indoor place in Barcellona

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see in Barcelona when it rains?

The Museu Picasso, the MNAC, Casa Batlló, Palau Güell, the Palau de la Música and, for lunch, the Mercat de la Boqueria. Many museums have timed tickets: buying ahead saves queueing in the rain.

And with children?

CosmoCaixa and the Aquàrium are the best choices. More ideas are on the page about what to do in Barcelona with children.

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