Barcelona Erotic Museum

The Barcelona Erotic Museum (Museu de l’Eròtica) is a provocative and playful institution located on the city’s famous La Rambla. Opened in 1997, it presents a vast collection of over 800 pieces that explore the role of eroticism and sexuality in art, culture, and daily life throughout history.

The museum’s exhibitions cover a wide range of themes: from ancient fertility symbols and Japanese shunga prints to contemporary erotic photography and cinema. Objects on display include sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, costumes, and curiosities that reflect the diversity of human desire and imagination.

Highlights include exhibits on the history of the Kama Sutra, eroticism in classical mythology, and the intersection of sex with politics, religion, and censorship. Playful elements — such as Marilyn Monroe’s iconic skirt scene recreated at the entrance — add a lighter touch, while the museum also acknowledges the darker sides of repression, taboo, and exploitation.

Situated in the heart of Barcelona, the Erotic Museum combines humour, history, and provocation, making it a distinctive stop for those curious about the cultural dimensions of sexuality.