5 Bizarre and Quirky Museums to Visit on Your Barcelona City Break
- Francesca
- Dec 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Barcelona is rightfully famous for its Gaudí architecture and sandy beaches but scratch the surface and you will find a city with a delightfully strange underbelly. If you are planning a city break in Europe and want to escape the standard tourist trail then you need to explore the Catalan capital's more unusual collections.
We have hunted down five museums that range from the spooky to the sweet. These spots are perfect for adding a twist to your itinerary and giving you a story to tell that doesn't involve the Sagrada Família.
Hidden away in the Montjuïc Cemetery is one of the most fascinating and macabre collections in Spain. This is the only public collection of funeral carriages in Europe and it is strangely beautiful. You can see the grand ornate hearses that once carried Barcelona’s elite to their final resting place.
The detail on the "Black Widow" carriage is astonishing and the display mannequins dressed in period mourning attire add an eerie atmosphere to the basement setting. It is a quiet and respectful place that offers a totally unique perspective on the history of the city.
Price: Free entry
Opening Times: Sat & Sun 10:00 – 14:00
Most museums give you a paper receipt but this spot gives you a bar of premium chocolate as your entry ticket. Located in a former convent in the hip El Born district the museum is dedicated to the history of cocoa and its arrival in Europe.
The highlight is the room filled with massive chocolate sculptures. You will see everything from familiar cartoon characters to detailed replicas of famous Spanish architecture made entirely from dark and white chocolate. The smell inside is intoxicating and it is a brilliant pitstop for anyone needing a sugar rush during their city break in Barcelona.
Price: Adults approx. €6.00 / £5.00
Opening Times: Tue-Sat 10:00 – 19:00 | Sun 10:00 – 15:00
You might associate cannabis museums with Amsterdam but Barcelona has one of the best in the world. It is housed in the Palau Mornau which is a stunning 15th-century palace that is worth the entry fee alone.
Inside you will find thousands of artifacts relating to the history of the hemp plant. The collection covers everything from ancient medicinal bottles and industrial hemp ropes to pop culture memorabilia. It is a serious and well-curated look at a controversial plant and the modernist architecture of the building provides a classy backdrop to the exhibits.
Price: Adults approx. €9.00 / £7.50
Opening Times: Fri-Sun 11:00 – 20:00
If you want pure unadulterated silliness then this venue on La Rambla is the place to go. This isn't a place for quiet contemplation but a colorful playground designed to mess with your senses.
You can walk through an Upside Down House where the furniture hangs from the ceiling or dive into a giant ball pit. There is a "Food Art" room where famous paintings are recreated with vegetables and fruits. It is loud and bright and offers some of the best photo opportunities you will find on any trip.
Price: Adults approx. €20.00 / £16.60
Opening Times: Daily 10:00 – 22:00
Barcelona has a long history with magic and this institution celebrates it all. Founded in 1881 it is one of the world's oldest magic shops and it also houses a charming little museum dedicated to the art of illusion.
The collection is packed with vintage wands, trick decks and posters from the golden age of magic. You can often catch a live show in their intimate theater where local magicians perform close-up tricks that will leave you baffled. It is a nostalgic step back in time that feels miles away from the busy city streets outside.
Price: Show & Museum approx. €16.00 / £13.30 (Shop is free)
Opening Times: Shop open daily, shows typically weekends (check local schedule)
Keep It Weird
Let's face it. You can only look at so many oil paintings before they all start to blur together. Sometimes the best travel memories come from the places that make you scratch your head and smile. Whether you are staring at a hearse or eating your own entry ticket these museums prove that Barcelona has a sense of humor to match its style. Check out our City Guide Barcelona for a full overview of what you can in this amazing city. So go ahead and get weird on your next trip.
Comments