Barcelona has a truly unique culture and it's many institutions provide world class performances.

Theater

Madrid's theater scene is often noted over Barcelona, but the city does have a respectable art scene.

Teatre Nacional de Catalunya
Completed in 1996 by the Catalan post modern architect Ricardo Bofill. The building contains three theater spaces: Sala Gran, Sala Petita and Sala Tallers. Many of the productions are in the Catalan language.

Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall

Teatre Lliure Montjuic
The building itself is beautiful, and the theater considered one of the most prestigious in Catalonia. It was created in 1976 in the neighborhood of Gracia by a group of professionals from Barcelona's independent theater scene.

Teatre Poliorama
The Poliorama Theatre started as a movie theater in 1899, but has been working since 1982 as a theater. On the ground floor of the Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences of Barcelona.

Teatre Romea
This theater has three floors and a capacity for 660 spectators. It was built in 1863.

Opera

Gran Teatre del Liceu
This opera theater is one of the sights of Barcelona. It is unusual in that it was financed by private funds. Destroyed by a fire 1994, it was meticulously recreated.
You can take a guided tour daily at 10:00, lasting 1 hour 10 minutes and costing 9.00 euros.

Palau de la Musica Catalana
Designed by Lluís Domenech i Montaner, this opera house was built between 1905 and 1908. A major pieces of Modernista architecture, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Orchestra

Orquestra Simfonica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC)
Barcelona is home Catalonia National Symphonic Orchestra, the largest symphonic orchestra in Catalonia. It performs around 75 concerts per season.

Museums

Barcelona has a variety of museums that cover a range of topics. Some of the finest artists of the world are of Spanish origin, including Pablo Picasso.

Museu del Temple Expiatori de La Sagrada Familia
One of Gaudi's greatest creations, the building has been under construction since 1882. The museum within the cathedral covers the history and development of the Sagrada Familia and has info about Gaudi. This building is the number one most visited attraction in Barcelona catering to over 2,000,000 visitors per year.
Opening hours: 09:00 -18:00 (Oct - Mar) 09:00 - 20:00 (Apr - Sep)
Admission: 12.50 euros

Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture (CCCB)
The CCCB has regular exhibitions of varying artworks. It is arranged in sections from around the World and from different periods.
Opening Hours: There are 3 distinct sections with different opening hours. Generally: From Tuesday to Sunday 11 - 20:00; Thursday - 11 to 22:00; Closed Mondays
Admission: 6 Euros

Fundacio Joan Miro
Museum of modern art honoring Joan Miro. The building was completed in 1975 by architect Josep Lluis Sert with an open floor plan and interior courtyards. The building was expanded in 1986 with the addition of the library and an auditorium.

Picasso Museum
Honoring one of the best-known painters of all-time, this museum has more than 3,800 works in the permanent collection.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sundays (including holidays) 10:00 to 20:00
Admission: 10 euros

Fundacio Antoni Tapies
A cultural center and museum dedicated to the life and works of the painter Antoni Tapies. It was created by Tapies to promote the study and knowledge of modern and contemporary art.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 19:00
Admission: 7 euro

Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat de Barcelona
This museum preserves the ruins of Roman-era and Medieval Barcelona. The ruins are from a time between lst century BC and 7th century AD.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00, Friday from 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: 7 euro

Museum d' Historia de Catalunya
Covers the history of Catalunya with exhibitions about different periods of Catalunya's history. Displays exhibits that allow you to interact with the displays.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 19:00; Wednesdays from 10:00 to 20:00; Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 14:30; closed Mondays
Admission: 4 euro

Museu d' Arqueologia de Catalunya
Archaeology exhibits cover periods during prehistoric times and ancient history. Many different sites throughout the region.
Opening Hours: Tue-Sat 09:30 - 19:00; Sun and Holidays: 10:00-14:30; Closed Mon
Admission: 3 euro

Museu Maritim
A maritime museums covering the periods from 1750 to 1850, it includes all forms of maritime artefacts from Barcelona and the surrounding districts.
Opening Hours: Every day 10:00 to 20:00
Admission: 2.50 euro

Cosmocaixa
This science museum received the European Museum of the Year Award in 2006. The museum features a variety of exhibitions, permanent and temporary, that showcase the environment, nature, science, and space.
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 to 20:00
Admission: 3 euros

Egyptian Museum
private-owned

Museu Futbol Club Barcelona
FC Barcelona football club museum is the fourth most visited of the museums in Barcelona. It has sporting artefacts from the club dating back 100 years.
Opening Hours: April - October 10:00 - 20:00; October - April 10:00 - 18:30; Sundays and public holidays: 10:00 - 14:30
Admission: 19 euros