Textil Museum in Barcelona

The Palace of the marquis of Llio preserved his initial structure. This museum recalls the evolution of the textile art in 1500 years.

The Textile and Clothing Museum occupies two adjacent buildings: the Palau Nadal and Palau dels Marquesos de Llió; the latter retains some of its original 13th-century wooden ceilings.

Items on display here include medieval Hispano-Arab textiles, some liturgical vestments and the city’s embroidery and lace collection.

The real highlight, though, is the fashion's history – from the baroque to the 20th century – that collector Manuel Rocamora donated in the 1960s, and which is one of the finest collections of its type anywhere.

Recent important donations include one from Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga, who is famous for the 1958 babydoll dress and pill-box hat.

The museum shop is a great place to pick up presents, and there’s a nice café outside in the courtyard.