Art Around Spain

Spain is a destination renown for its artists and creativity with Madrid and Barcelona the main centres for lovers of Surrealism and Abstract art. A great starting point to begin your tour, Madrid boasts the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía where Picasso's most famous work, Guernica, can be viewed as well as a truly impressive collection of contemporary Spanish art. Whilst there don't miss a trip to the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum with its exciting collection of European art dating from the 13th century right up to the present day.
Barcelona has to be on any art itinerary and not only because it's the home of Museu Picasso, a gallery receiving over a million visitors each year, and Barcelona's Museum of Contemporary Art with most of the greatest painters featured, but also for the sheer number of artists that came from or worked here. The Dali Museum is another must on an art lovers tour of the city along with Gaudi's creations, the Catalan National Art Museum and The Fundació Joan Miró, host to most of the major art works by Miró with the fabulous pottery covered sculpture 'Dona i ocell' that adorns the Parc Joan Miró and the bronze sculpture 'Dona' in the courtyard of the City Hall.
Moving on from Barcelona there is more Picasso to be seen at The Museu d'Art Espanyol Contemporani in Palma de Mallorca. Also on show are works by some of the most noteworthy 20th century Spanish artists - Joan Miró, Juan Gris and Salvador Dalí amongst them - all recognized for their style of painting known as cubism. Whilst in Mallorca on your list should be The Fundación Juan March, founded in 1955 and a family-run organization it has a permanent collection of modern art by Spanish artists.
The Museo de Arte Abstracto Español in Cuenca is located in the Casas Colgadas, a beautiful 15th century medieval building and one of the top ten must-sees on any serious art tour. Paintings and sculptures by Spanish abstract artists from the 1950s and '60s include pieces by Millares, Sempere, Torner, Zóbel and Saura.
An art tour of Spain can't truly be appreciated without a trip to the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Frank O. Gehry, it's an imaginatively architectural landmark that makes an alluring setting for the modern art exhibition.
Valencia's IVAM is fast developing into a new and popular place for visitors on the European art circuit and well worth a visit if you have the time. The collection has well over 10,000 pieces which exhibit the essential expressions of art in the 20th century with a significant contribution by the sculptor Julio González and Ignacio Pinazo Camarlench. The displays of graphic design, photomontage and photography are fascinating.
You can book an art tour through Spain via a travel agent who will arrange a hotel or apartment, transport and tour itinerary for you. Go by train or on a guided coach tour, or hire a car and drive yourself around the country, or if finances allow fly from city to city - the choice is yours.

Organizing your own art tour is easy enough, just go online to find out where all your favourite artists have their best works displayed and then plan the route. Apartments to rent, travel, and information on each place can be booked over the internet and even your flight tickets to Spain are more affordable when booked online. You can find heaps of relevant information with guides of Spain's major art museums, reviews of hotels and apartments, personal experiences from other travellers, details on visa's, car hire, train times - everything you could possibly need.