Barcelona Around Passeig De Grácia

TFundació Francisco Godia. This museum was created in 1998 by Godia’s daughter in order to open his private art collection for public viewing. Francisco Godia (1921-1990) was a bizarre combination of astute businessman, accomplished Formula One race car driver, and passionate supporter of the arts. His collection boasts a huge variety of works and artists over the span of nearly a millennium. From an impressive collection of 12th-century religious sculptures and paintings to modern works by such names as Picasso and Tapiés. Highlights include Saragossa’s stunning Virgen de la Leche (1374), Solana’s bold, dark-lined Bullfight at Ronda (1927), Francesc Gimeno’s life-like Mother and Daughter (1898), and the popular At the Racecourse (1905) by Ramon Casas. The Fundació also organizes exhibitions featuring private collections from throughout Spain. Be sure to check out the front room filled with Godia’s racing trophies, proof that fast cars, engine grease, and art can go hand-in-hand. (C. Diputació 250. Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. ☎932 72 31 80; www.fundacionfgodia.org. Open M, W-Sa, and Su 10am-8pm. Free guided tours Sa-Su noon in Spanish and Catalan; otherwise call ahead for a guided tour, €6. Wall descriptions and printed guides are in English, Catalan, and Spanish. Wheelchair-accessible. €6. MC/V.)

Museu Del Perfum. Located in the back of a perfectly ordinary-looking perfume store, the Museu del Perfum is easy to miss. The collection inside, however, should not be overlooked. It showcases nearly 1000 perfume containers, from second-century BC Roman vials to gold and silver plated perfume flasks from the 18th and 19th centuries to Chanel no. 5. Take a gander at the highly original designs, including a mouse, a lightbulb, the Eiffel Tower, and a suicidal bottle with a knife-shaped throat applicator. Even Salvador Dalí took a crack at this little-known art form, with a huge bottle he called “The Sun King.” (Pg. de Gràcia 39. Pg. de Gràcia. ☎932 16 01 21; www.museodelperfume.com. M-F 10:30am-2pm and 4:30-8pm, Sa 11am-3pm. Wheelchair-accessible. €5; students and seniors €3.)

Museu Egipci. In 1993, the wealthy Jordi Clos decided to turn a private passion into Spain’s only museum dedicated entirely to Pharaonic Egypt. More than 500 Egyptian artifacts and several displays focused on tombs, mummies, and the beliefs surrounding death in ancient Egypt pack two whole floors. Be sure to take a look at the small collection of mummified animals, including a falcon and a crocodile. Catch Egypt-related dramatic performances every night at 9pm, complete with a tour and a glass of cava. (C. Valencia, 284, just to the left of Pg. de Gràcia when you’re facing Pl. de Catalunya. Pg. de Gràcia, L2/3/4. ☎93 488 01 88; www.museuegipci.com. Open M-Sa 10am-8pm, Su 10am-2pm. Closed Dec. 25-26 and Jan. 1. Descriptions in Spanish and Catalan. Free tours in Spanish and Catalan Sa 11am and 5pm; call ahead to hire an English guide. Wheelchair-accessible. €11; students and over 65 €8. Performances €25. MC/V.)