The 5 Best Spanish Cities for Contemporary Art
As an artist and travel specialist, I am always on the lookout for vibrant and exciting art scenes around the world. One of my favourite destinations for contemporary art is Spain.
From Madrid to Barcelona and beyond, Spain is home to some of the most dynamic and diverse contemporary art galleries and museums in the world, and so would be a great place to visit if you are planning either a city break or a complete tour of the Country.
Whether you're a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious traveller, this guide will assist you, as I provide information about the vibrant contemporary art scene in Spain, sharing with you the best galleries, museums, and art destinations the country has to offer.
All details are correct at the time of writing, but it is best to check current information before your visit.
Table of Contents
Contemporary Art in Madrid
Madrid is the cultural heart of Spain, and home to some of the country's best museums and galleries. There is something for every art lover in this city from the royal art collection at Prado, The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and it’s collection from the old Masters, to Picasso’s Guernica in the Reina Sofia. With specific regard to contemporary art, you will not be disappointed with a variety of gallery spaces to visit.
Here are the main contemporary galleries and museums to plan into your Madrid city break, but if you only have a day or two, you should definitely visit Reina Sofía Museum, and a few of the smaller ones. If you have time also check out CaixaForum.
Reina Sofía Museum, Madrid
The Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid is one of the largest and most important contemporary art museums in Spain. It is home to an impressive collection of contemporary art from both Spanish and international artists, with a particular focus on avant-garde and modernist works.
The museum is also famous for its extensive collection of works by Pablo Picasso, including his iconic painting Guernica, which depicts the infamous Spanish Civil War battle. It also has an extensive Salvador Dalí collection, which is one of the largest in the world.
As a tip, the glass lift offers stunning views of Madrid’s skyline.
Address: Sabatini Building, 52 Santa Isabel, 28012, Madrid, Spain
CaixaForum, Madrid
CaixaForum Madrid is a cultural centre located in the heart of Madrid, Spain. It is housed in a unique historic building that was once a power station, but in 2008 Herzog & de Meuron designed its beautiful transformation into a modern and dynamic space for art and culture.
The centre offers a wide variety of exhibitions, immersive experiences, concerts, film screenings, lectures, and other events, covering a range of topics from contemporary art and design to science, history, and social issues. In 2023, keep an eye out for ‘Print3D’. This is an interactive exhibition of over 200 printed pieces.
Many of these events are free or have a low admission fee, making them accessible to a wide audience.
In addition to its cultural programming, CaixaForum Madrid also houses a bookstore, a café, and a gift shop, and it has a large outdoor plaza where visitors can relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Address: P.º del Prado, 36, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Max Estrella Gallery, Madrid
The Max Estrella Gallery is located in the Justicia neighbourhood. This is a relatively small gallery but is well worth a visit as it is focused on innovative contemporary art.
Address: Max Estrella Gallery, Patio, Calle Santo Tome, 6, Madrid, Spain
Galería Elvira González, Madrid
Galería Elvira González is a great little gallery that showcases works by renowned Spanish artists such as Miquel Barceló, Juan Muñoz, and José María Sicilia, among others. The gallery represents a diverse range of artists, both Spanish and international, and showcases a wide variety of contemporary art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, and video art.
Address: Galería Elvira González, Calle Hermanos Álvarez Quintero, 1, 28004 Madrid, Spain
La Casa Encendida, Madrid
La Casa Encendida is a cultural centre located in Madrid that features a range of contemporary art exhibitions and events, with a focus on avant-garde artistic expressions. The centre includes a gallery space that showcases emerging and established artists, as well as a wide range of cultural events, including music, film, and theatre.
The Terrace of La Casa Encendida and its café bar are a relaxing space and great location to see the sunset.
Address: La Casa Encendida, Rda. de Valencia, 2, 28012 Madrid
Espacio Valverde, Madrid
Espacio Valverde is a contemporary art gallery that focuses on showcasing emerging artists, with a different perspective on life. It offers a unique space for experimentation and dialogue, featuring exhibitions and events that push the boundaries of contemporary art.
Address: C. de Valverde, 30, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Street Art in Madrid
Anyone that has read my other blog posts will know how much I appreciate street art. When walking around Madrid, you will find street art everywhere, but head over to Lavapiés to find a good concentration of street art. This multicultural neighbourhood in Madrid is characterised by its narrow streets and alleys that are are lined with colourful murals and graffiti, showcasing the work of both local and international artists. Calle Doctor Fourquet is a street in the Lavapiés neighbourhood that is a good starting point for finding street art.
I have also written about street art in various other locations, please read here.
Contemporary Art in Barcelona
I first visited Barcelona in my late teens on a college trip while studying for my Foundation Year in Art & Design. I was in awe of the beautiful architecture and art galleries.
Barcelona remains a major hub of contemporary art in Spain, with a vibrant cultural scene that continues to attract artists and art lovers from around the world. It is another Spanish city that offers so much for the art enthusiast from La Sagrada Familia, the 140-year-old unfinished church to Park Güell, which was designed by Gaudí between 1900 and 1914. The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is a must-visit for anyone interested in contemporary art, as is the MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona). There are also various smaller gallery spaces worth exploring during your visit to the city.
Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is a cultural hub located in the vibrant Raval neighborhood of Barcelona, Spain. This institution showcases contemporary culture with a unique blend of art, literature, philosophy, music, and film and is an ideal destination to discover the latest trends in culture and art.
Previous high-profile exhibitions have included ‘Big Bang Data’ which delved into the impact of digital technology on our society, and ‘After the End of the World’ which explored the concept of the apocalypse in contemporary culture. And in 2023, the “Sade” exhibition explores the aesthetic, philosophical and political implications of libertine writer Donatien Alphonse François de Sade (1740-1814) in contemporary culture.
Address: Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona, Montalegre, 5 - 08001 Barcelona
The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)
MACBA is a leading institution for contemporary art in Europe. Located in the heart of Barcelona's vibrant Raval neighbourhood, this museum features a diverse collection of contemporary art from both Spain and Latin America since the mid-20th century.
The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and events that showcase emerging artists and that explore current issues through contemporary art. You will find artworks from renowned artists such as Ignasi Aballí and Pablo Picasso as well as more contemporary artists.
Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona
The Fundació Joan Miró is a dedicated museum that celebrates the work of the famous Catalan artist. The museum features a vast collection of Miró's paintings, sculptures, and prints, as well as temporary exhibitions of contemporary art. The building itself is located in a great spot, that is within a quiet park setting, with lovely views overlooking the city.
Addess: Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
Galería Joan Prats, Barcelona
Located in the heart of Barcelona, Galería Joan Prats is a contemporary art gallery that focuses on promoting Spanish and international artists, and hosts a diverse program of exhibitions and events.
Address: C/ de Balmes, 54, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Street Art in Barcelona
Poblenou, Barcelona - Once an industrial area, Poblenou is now home to a vibrant street art scene. The neighbourhood is filled with large-scale murals and colourful graffiti, making it a great place to explore on foot.
Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies - Located in the Poblesec neighbourhood, a short walk from La Rambla, this square features a large wall that has become a canvas for street artists from around the world. The murals here are constantly changing, so there is always something new to see. There is a strong likelihood that you may even see art being created in action.
Contemporary Art in Valencia
Valencia is another great city for contemporary art, with a growing number of galleries and cultural institutions showcasing the best of Spanish and international art. In many ways this city epitimises modern Spain.
The Valencian Institute of Modern Art (IVAM)
IVAM is another top contemporary art museum in Spain, and the first centre of modern art created in the country.
IVAM examines the twentieth-century contemporary art movements from Abstract and Pop Art to European Informalism and the New Figurative movement.
Its permanent exhibition includes the Julio González and Pinazo collections, and it has an activity schedule that includes temporary exhibitions, lectures, courses, and workshops.
Within the basement level, you will also be able to view a large section of Valencia's mediaeval city wall.
Address: C/ de Guillem de Castro, 118, 46003 València, Valencia, Spain
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, which translates as ‘The City of Arts and Sciences’ is a futuristic complex of buildings in Valencia. This is a place of inspiration for many artists.
This complex is home to several stunning contemporary art installations, including ‘The Trencadís’ a colourful mosaic made from broken tiles that covers the entire facade of the Hemisfèric building.
The buildings cover several themes, not all art related. The Hemisfèric is a digital 3D cinema, with a huge 900 metre concave screen. The Palau de les Arts is for those that love music, whilst the Science Museum offers different interactive exhibitions about science and technology. You can also stroll through The Umbracle, a huge, open-access garden.
This building by Calatrava is the home of CaixaForum Valencia, a multipurpose space that hosts temporary and permanent exhibits, live music, projections, conferences and shows for visitors to enjoy culture and science.
Address: Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7, 46013 València, Valencia, Spain
Centre del Carme Cultural Centre (CCCC)
CCCC is conveniently located in the Barrio del Carmen, Valencia’s oldest and most bohemian neighbourhood, which is lined with small bars and restaurants. It is also just a short walk from IVAM.
This unique venue started life as Nuestra Señora del Carmen de València Royal Monastery in the 13th century, and was converted for cultural use in the 19th century, when it was turned into a fine arts museum.
CCCC is now a diverse musuem that covers various disciplines, including visual arts, performing arts, design, and books. You will find contemporary art exhibits in this building.
Contemporary Art in Bilbao
Bilbao is a very compact city in Northern Spain, and the centre is easy to navigate on foot. It may be best known for the iconic Guggenheim Museum, but this city is also home to a thriving contemporary art scene.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
The iconic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is one of the most famous contemporary art museums in the world, and a must-visit destination for art lovers travelling to Spain.
The museum is housed in a stunning building designed by the renowned architect Frank Gehry.
The Guggenheim's collection includes works by some of the world's most influential contemporary artists, such as Jeff Koons, Richard Serra, and Anish Kapoor. The museum's collection also includes pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and Salvador Dalí, among many others. Recent exhibitions have included works by contemporary artists such as Olafur Eliasson, Jenny Holzer, and Yoko Ono.
Address: Avenida Abandoibarra, 2 48009 Bilbao, Spain
Sala Rekalde
Sala Rekalde is a space dedicated to various contemporary artistic practices. It was first created in the 1990s and prior to the Guggenheim, was seen as the primarily contemporary art location in Bilbao. It now focuses on Basque contemporary artists, and hosts various exhibitions, covering paintings, photographs, video projection etc.
Address: Alameda de Recalde, 30, 48009 Bilbao, Biscay, Spain
Azkuna Zentroa
Azkuna Zentroa is a modern and multipurpose, cultural and artistic centre in the heart of Bilbao. It is housed in one of the city's most iconic structures, the former municipal wine exchange market, which French designer, Philippe Starck, redsigned. The buildings of this new cultural space rest on 43 pillars designed by the Italian set designer Lorenzo Baraldi. The centre provides a diverse cultural programme of performing arts, cinema, music, digital art and literature.
Contemporary Art in Seville
Seville is a city steeped in history and culture, but it is also home to some great contemporary art galleries and installations.
Seville has Europe’s largest historic centre, with winding, narrow streets and alleyways and is famed for its Mudéjar architecture, which is a blend of Moorish/Arabian and Gothic influences. This city has real vibrancy and offers artistic inspiration throughout. Intertwined amongst the historic streets and buildings of Seville, the city has a number of interesting contemporary art galleries to explore. Top of the list is El Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC).
The Andalusian Center of Contemporary Art (CAAC)
El Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC), is located in an old 15th-century monastery, and former ceramics factory. Today, it is home to a contemporary art centre with a fascinating display of artworks that focus on contemporary art from Andalusia and southern Spain. For an in-depth blog post about CAAC, please see my post here.
Address: C. Américo Vespucio, 2, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
Setas de Sevilla, Seville
Setas de Sevilla, or Las Setas (This translates to ‘Mushrooms of Seville’, or ‘The Mushrooms’), is a giant wooden structure in Seville's historic centre. It is a feat of contemporary architecture and engineering. Visitors can walk along the top level of the parasol and enjoy panoramic views of the city. For more information about the best places to visit in Seville, please read here.
I hope you have found this list helpful. If you know of any other art galleries in Spain that you think I should include, you can email me at sarahransomeart@gmail.com.
