As a consolation for lack of in-person travel, this summer the Arts Blog will take you on a global tour of museums, monuments, and other locales from the comfort of your own home. This week’s stop: Spain.  

By Leigh Houck, UC Davis Media Relations Intern

The Alhambra: A Moorish palace and fortress to tour

Start off your tour of Spain with some history. The Alhambra, located in Granada, is a Moorish palace and fortress originally built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, it exemplifies both Moorish and Spanish influence. After the 17th century expulsion of the Moors, the Catholic rulers partially remodeled the Alhambra in Renaissance style. Read more about the history of the Alhambra here.  

• Explore the Alhambra, a jewel of Spanish history, via an interactive map.  Click on the black circles to view photos of different areas, from the towers to the baths. 

Basílica de la Sagrada Familia: an architectural masterpiece

This large Catholic architectural masterpiece has been under construction in Barcelona since its inception in 1882. Its principal architect, Antoni Gaudí, is even buried in a tomb inside. The temple is slated to be completed in 2026. But for now, you can enjoy the Sagrada Familia in the peace of your own home, without any construction noise or hubbub. 

• Take a virtual tour of the Sagrada Familia here. The 360-degree virtual tour offers views of the facades, the inside, the apse, the cloister of the rosary, the western sacristy, the crypt, and more. 

The Guggenheim Museum — the treasure of Bilbao

Ready to see some more modern sights? One of several Guggenheim museums worldwide, this location in Bilbao offers both modern and contemporary art.  The museum building itself, designed by Canadian American architect Frank Gehry and completed in the 1990s, was part of a redevelopment project of the city. On the banks of the Nervion River, it has become the Basque city's landmark, drawing 20 million visitors to what was once a decrepit city. Its mirror-like modern design is similar to a later building by Gehry, Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, which is a performing arts center.

• Scroll through some of the Guggenheim’s greatest sculptures and paintings in the Masterpieces from the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collection here. 
• View Jeff Koons’ living sculpture Puppy, stationed outside the museum, here. 

Museums of Madrid offer modern to ancient

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

This museum, located in Madrid, displays artworks dating all the way from the 13th century to the late 20th century. Through these pieces, visitors can chart various western artistic movements, from the renaissance to avant-garde.  

• Explore the museum via Google Arts and Culture here. 

Museo Reina Sofía 

The next stop on our tour is also in Madrid, with the Museo Reina Sofía. The Museo Reina Sofía  was founded in 1990 and brings us fully into modern art. The museum is most famous for housing Pablo Picasso’s famous anti-war painting Guernica, but it also displays avant-garde and neo-avant-garde artworks. 

• The museum offers three museum views via Google Arts and Culture. Explore Museo Reina Sofía here. Explore the glass conservatory Palacio de Cristal here. Explore the Palacio de Velázquez here.  

Museo Nacional del Prado 

What trip to Spain would be complete without a visit to the Prado museum? This world famous art museum is located in Spain’s capital city Madrid. You can take a virtual visit or visita virtual of the Prado from anywhere in the world. 

• The Prado website has several masterpieces, including a collection by Francisco de Goya. Check out an online gallery here. Click on each artwork to learn more about the painting and the artist. 

Itching for more virtual travel? Stay tuned to the Arts Blog for tours in more countries around the world. In the meantime, check out our previous trips to Europe. Visit Italy here , France here, and England here.