The Barcelona Wax Museum (in Spanish, Museu de Cera de Barcelona) is home to over 150 lifelike wax sculptures of celebrities, politicians, historical characters, and many, many more notable figures from all walks of life. Occupying three floors of a historic building situated not far from the city’s iconic La Rambla, the Barcelona Wax Museum has themed zones dedicated to popular movies, TV shows, artists, sports stars, and musicians, just to name a few. El Bosc de Les Fades, a restaurant decorated to resemble an enchanted forest, is located next door.
History of the Barcelona Wax Museum
The Barcelona Wax Museum is located just a block or so off of La Rambla; it occupies a striking building, one whose rich past dates all the way back to the middle of the nineteenth century. Designed by the acclaimed architect Elies Rogent, it was originally built to house a financial institution. For approximately 100 years it housed a series of companies like the Bank of Barcelona, before falling into a state of disrepair via neglect.
In 1973, the famous film director and set decorator Enrique Alarcón purchased the building and set about renovating it for the purpose of housing and displaying some of his most ambitious designs. Over the years the attraction has evolved extensively, and today the facility is most known for its wax figurines.
Barcelona Wax Museum Highlights
The Barcelona Wax Museum is divided up into 28 distinctive zones spread out across three spacious floors. Each one of these unique zones is filled with remarkable wax figurines displayed in an evocative setting. Pop Stars is a very popular space—it’s where you’ll see lifelike representations of such megastars as Billie Eilish and Rosalia—as is Galactic Journey, which recreates the cockpit of Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon complete with furry copilot Chewbacca.
Other favorite zones found here include Cooking Masters, where you’ll find some of the biggest culinary names in the world at work in the same kitchen; Painting Masters, which puts famous artists like Frida Kahlo, Picasso, and Salvador Dalí side by side in the same room; and Hall of Fame, which recreates a red carpet full of Hollywood’s biggest stars shoulder to shoulder right in front of you. No matter your passion or pastime, though, there’s likely an area of the Barcelona Wax Museum that’ll strike your fancy.
For those guests hoping to get something truly unforgettable out of their visit to the Barcelona Wax Museum, there are several different special experiences available for purchase. Primary among these select packages is the Barcelona Wax Museum VIP Photo Tour. This 90-minute guided tour provides visitors an unparalleled opportunity to enjoy the museum’s many wonders up close and personal. For more information, visit the Barcelona Wax Museum’s official website.
More to See and Do at the Barcelona Wax Museum
Though most people visit the Barcelona Wax Museum for its incredible figurines, that’s not all there is to see and do here. Continue reading for a few more noteworthy features of this popular attraction.
*Even if you’re in a hurry to get to your next fabulous Barcelona destination, try and make time to see the museum’s top floor. That’s where you’ll find zones dedicated to Game of Thrones, soccer stars like Lionel Messi, and the Alley of Interactivity—a spooky corridor where even the floor itself seems to move as you walk along it!
*Located directly next door to the Barcelona Wax Museum is El Bosc de Les Fades, a fantasy-themed café that’s popular with museum visitors. The interior of this charming establishment is designed to resemble an enchanted forest straight out of your favorite fairy tale. El Bosc de Les Fades serves sandwiches, burgers, tapas, and appetizers; it also has an extensive beer, wine, cocktail, and coffee menu.
*The Barcelona Wax Museum contains an in-house gift shop where you can purchase all manner of souvenirs and accessories. This small store sells both items with relevance to the museum and its wax figurines and a nice variety of Barcelona-related gifts.
*If your plans dictate that you need to visit the Barcelona Wax Museum with luggage or heavy bags in tow, it will come as some relief to know that the museum has a cloakroom where you can store them securely. The cost is one euro per item.
Why the Barcelona Wax Museum Should Be on Your Must-See List
The Barcelona Wax Museum is a pleasant place to pass some time before or after you stroll up and down La Rambla. Its prominent location near the city’s most famous thoroughfare makes it a great addition to any itinerary that includes such nearby attractions as the Maritime Museum of Barcelona, the Columbus Monument, and L’Aquàrium de Barcelona.
