Poblenou Museums and Galleries

While this arts studio and co-working space doesn't necessarily function as a gallery—they have one gallery night a month and otherwise you have to book to tour the space—it's definitely one of the best places to understand the contemporary art scene in Barcelona as it's where the freshest work is coming out of. The ever-evolving display of graffiti on the walls outside alone is worth the trip.

More than a gallery, this is a hub of cultural activity with a studio workspace for artists in the back. With a constant stream of evening events from art sales, to openings, to food and drink tastings, this a hotspot for young artists and a great place to discover young talent.

It's hard not to get lured in by Catalan culture when in Barcelona, and for those who want to go a little deeper there's the Can Framis which shows some of the greatest local contemporary artists from the last 60 years. The real draw here, though, is the building itself and its surrounding green spaces by local Catalan (of course) architect Jordi Badia. There's something incredibly serene about the hulking, semi-industrial space in this quiet old neighborhood.