The Museum of Illusions is home to approximately 60 unique 3D paintings that make it possible for visitors to appear as though they’re swimming underneath the ocean, blessed with angel’s wings, and in the midst of a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader, just to name a few of the many charming experiences available at this lighthearted Barcelona attraction. The Museum of Illusions is located just two blocks from La Rambla, not far from the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) and the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA).
History of the Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions in Barcelona first opened its doors to the public in the spring of 2015. With its curious assortment of remixed famous paintings by artists like Picasso, Dalí, and Koon, placed on the walls right alongside images of giant sea creatures, beloved cartoon characters, and local landmarks, the Museum of Illusions rapidly became a tourist attraction ideally suited for those visitors seeking to snag an eye-catching photo opportunity tailor-made to be social-media post-worthy.
Museum of Illusions Highlights
Visitors to the Museum of Illusions should arrive full of energy—that’s because everything you’ll encounter here is designed to be interactive. Though the Museum of Illusions consists of multiple rooms comprised of largely the same thing—3D paintings that offer visitors the illusion that they’re actually part of the scene they’re observing—no two spaces are identical. Some of the museum’s 3D paintings require you to sit or even lie down to make the illusion work to the fullest extent possible.
There are dozens and dozens of 3D paintings found throughout the Museum of Illusions, and no two visitors are liable to gravitate toward the exact same set of works. Still, some of the most notable pieces found at the Museum of Illusions include works that let you appear as though you’re tightroping across the Grand Canyon, surfing the waves in the midst of a great white shark, holding the string of one of Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog sculptures, and celebrating with your FC Barcelona teammates on the Camp Nou pitch.
Depending on your tastes in modern art, it’s quite possible that you’ll want to head straight in the direction of a couple different recreations of famous works involving Salvador Dalí; here you can move among the iconic melting clocks of The Persistence of Memory or throw yourself into the middle of Philippe Halsman’s surreal 1948 photograph of Dalí in the middle of floating easels and chairs, an upturned water bucket, and three flying cats, the one and only Dalí Atomicus—or, of course, enjoy both experiences!
More to See and Do at the Museum of Illusions
Continue reading for even more things of note at the Museum of Illusions.
*If you enjoyed the time you spent touring Gaudí’s legendary Sagrada Família, then you’ll definitely want to snap a picture of yourself in front of the Museum of Illusion’s version of the architectural masterpiece: it’ll make it look as though you’re suspended in mid-air on a construction platform next to the famously unfinished structure!
*As you plan your upcoming visit to the Museum of Illusions, be advised that the 3D paintings on display here are subject to change at any time throughout the year. The paintings—which are all the handiwork of local artists—are routinely freshened up (to maximize the crispness of the images) and periodically certain pieces are replaced by new material.
*Those visitors who want to experience the Museum of Illusions and the Big Fun Museum as part of a combo-ticket should note that in order to do so you must visit the Big Fun Museum first. Only there will you be able to receive the voucher that’ll cover your combined admission to the Museum of Illusions.
Why the Museum of Illusions Should Be on Your Must-See List
The majority of people who visit the Museum of Illusions do so as part of a ticket package that also includes admission to the neighboring Big Fun Museum—or use one of the numerous tourist passes available in Barcelona to cover the cost of their entry. If you’ve already experienced some of Barcelona’s more traditional museums and attractions, then the Museum of Illusions can make for a nice change of pace. It’s definitely a must-see destination for those visitors looking to take some distinctive pictures that’ll be sure to freshen up their social media posts.