"Palau  de la Música Catalana" (Music Palace), is a concert hall designed by the architec Lluís Domènech i Montaner and opened in 1908.This building is the headquarters of "Orfeó Catala", a prestigious institution grounded in the year 1891 to support Catalan music and culture. This is why the decoration of the building shows some representations of the "quatre barres" (which is the Catalan coat of arms).

Inside the scene is a sculpture representing on one side the "Ride of Valkyries" and on the other side, the figure of Beethoven, sculpted by Pau Gargallo and Dídac Massana. The splendid central glass light on the roof was made by Rigalt and Granell. The façade is made of red brick and decorated with mosaics from Lluís Bru.

The Palau de la Música Catalana organizes daily guided tours of the Modernist Concert hall and, when available, Lluís Millet Hall and the Chamber Music Hall.

Tickets for Palau de la Música Catalana >> free visit or guided tour

The Palau de la Música Catalana is located in the El Born district of Ciutat Vella. It is one of the most emblematic buildings in the city and a must-see for all lovers of architecture and music.

The Catalan Music Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Catalan Music Palace was built between 1905 and 1908 to house the Orfeó Català choir (an association of Barcelona choirs), which needed a larger space for its rehearsals. Today it hosts concerts and musical events of international renown.

The Palau de la Música is one of Barcelona's architectural gems, designed by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building is famous for its large concert hall decorated with coloured stained glass windows, sculptures and mosaics, and is considered one of the finest examples of Catalan Modernist architecture, also known as Art Nouveau. This architecture is characterised by the use of modern materials such as iron, glass and concrete, as well as motifs and forms inspired by nature.

Specific construction techniques used in the Palau de la Música Catalana include the use of natural light, which is abundant thanks to the large skylights and rose-shaped windows. The structure also features colourful mosaics, sculptures and floral motifs, creating a unique and vibrant aesthetic effect.

The architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner, also used advanced techniques for the time, such as the use of steel trusses for the structure of the building, which allowed him to create a large concert hall without intermediate pillars. Another technical detail is that the building was constructed without using steel beams, which was very rare at the time. Instead, the structure rests on decorative cast iron columns and brick arches, creating a unique and magical atmosphere inside.

Lluís Domènech i Montaner is also known for having designed the Casa Lleó i Morera in 1902, the Casa Fuster in 1911 and, of course, the Sant Pau Hospital between 1901 and 1930, which has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997..

Our tip: To make the most of your visit to the Music Palace, we recommend taking a guided tour to learn about the history and architecture of the building. You can also attend a concert to appreciate the exceptional acoustic quality of the concert hall.

Finally, an interesting anecdote about the Music Palace is that during the Spanish Civil War, the building was used as a garage for military vehicles, which saved the building from destruction! A miracle.

The Church Santa Maria del Mar (Santa Maria of the Sea) is a 14th-century Gothic basilica, located not far from the sea in the district of La Ribera, El Born, and was built by sailors who wanted to compete with Barcelona Cathedral despite their limited resources. Its sobriety makes it one of the most beautiful examples of Catalan Gothic. The Basilica is located next to the Picasso Museum. 

What to see in the Church of St Maria del Mar?

The Basilica of Santa Maria de la Mar is also known by the inhabitants of the city as the "Catedral de la Ribera" or "Catedral del Mar".

From the outside, Santa Maria gives an impression of massive severity that belies the interior. It is hemmed in by the narrow streets of the Ribera, making it difficult to obtain an overall impression, except from the Fossar de les Moreres and the Plaça de Santa Maria, both of them former burial grounds. The latter is dominated by the west end of the church with its rose window. Images of Saint Peter and Saint Paul occupy niches on either side of the west door, and the tympanum shows the Saviour flanked by Our Lady and Saint John.

The northwest tower was completed in 1496, but its companion was not finished until 1902.

Santa Maria del Mar Barcelona Guided Tour at the best prices

In contrast with the exterior, the interior gives an impression of light and spaciousness. It is of the basilica type, with its three aisles forming a single space with no transepts and no architectural boundary between the nave and presbytery. The simple ribbed vault is supported on slender octagonal columns and abundant daylight streams through the tall clerestory windows.
The interior is almost devoid of imagery of the sort to be found in Barcelona's other large Gothic churches, the cathedral and Santa Maria del Pi, after the fire which occurred in 1936 during anticlerical disturbances. Amongst the most notable of the works destroyed at that time was the Baroque retable by Deodat Casanoves and Salvador Gurri. 

The Church of Santa Maria de la Mar is an outstanding example of Catalan Gothic architecture. It was built in the 14th century by the architect Berenguer de Montagut. The construction of the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar dates back to the 14th century, in the medieval period.

It was built between 1329 and 1383, a record time for a church of this size at the time, thanks to the contributions of the inhabitants of the Ribera district, where it is located.

The construction of the basilica was financed by the sailors, fishermen and inhabitants of the neighbourhood who wanted a place to worship the Virgin Mary, who was considered the protector of the sailors and fishermen. They decided to build this church in honour of the Virgin, with the aim of making it a symbol of their neighbourhood and their city.

Santa Maria del Mar

The architect Berenguer de Montagut was responsible for the design of the basilica, which is considered a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic architecture. The basilica was built in stone and brick, in an austere and elegant Gothic style, typical of Catalan architecture.

Over the centuries, the basilica has undergone several renovations and restorations, due to various natural disasters and armed conflicts, such as fires, earthquakes and the Spanish Civil War

.

During the visit, we learn that most of the stained glass windows were destroyed in a fire in 1936. However, some of them survived, such as the Last Judgement, Pentecost and Holy Communion windows. The main rose window, dedicated to the Coronation of Mary, had to be rebuilt after an earthquake in 1428, and the cracks left by the earthquake are still visible from the roof.

Recent work has allowed visitors to access the roofs of Santa Maria del Mar and discover previously inaccessible areas. The main rose window, the windows, the towers, the gargoyles and the upper part of the central nave can now be seen from above on the ribbed vaults. It is also an opportunity to enjoy spectacular views of Barcelona from a height of over thirty-three metres!

A recent anecdote about the church of Santa Maria del Mar is that it inspired the Spanish author Ildefonso Falcones to write his famous novel "The Cathedral of the Sea" in 2006. The book tells the story of the construction of the basilica and the lives of the workers who took part in it. Many of his readers now seek out the details of the book when visiting this "cathedral"...

Our advice: To get the most out of your visit to the Basilica of St Mary of the Sea, we recommend taking a guided tour to discover the history and details of its architecture. Don't forget to take time to admire the colourful stained glass windows and impressive sculptures that adorn the basilica.

El Born is a favorite area for lovers of Barcelona nightlife. Nowadays the Born is even more packed with bars, though it's nice that places like the Miramelindo are still there, largely unchanged. Is was also a site of the executions and witch burning in medieval times.

Do not miss it and walk along its narrow streets full of very fashionable stores and restaurants.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is a unique place in the world for discovering the artist's early works and his relationship to the city he loved so much.

Imagine in the Montcada street, Born district, five medieval palaces linked together to make a museum. We go up, we go down and we go up again. It's charming to visit and it's an immediate immersion in the atmosphere of the old Barcelona districts at the time of Picasso.

Picasso Museum Barcelona Skip the line Tickets from 12€

Picasso and Barcelona: The Genesis of a Genius.

Born in 1881 in Malaga, Pablo Ruiz Picasso spent his entire youth in Spain. In 1891, his father was a teacher at the drawing school "La Coruna". At the age of 8, he already practiced drawing and painting. In 1895 the family moved to Barcelona, his father taught at the School of Llotja (the Lodge) named at the time: "Higher School of Arts, Industry and Fine Arts". Thanks to his father, Picasso, only 14 years old, can exceptionally pass the entrance exam. A true prodigy, he was immediately admitted.

The school's teaching is very academic, Picasso very quickly and perfectly masters drawing and classical painting. Two years later, he competed at the Royal Academy of Madrid. Its success is as striking as in Barcelona. At 16, Picasso has reached the highest artistic level of the best art schools in Spain.

At the age of 19, he exhibited for the first time in Barcelona, in the artistic tavern of the "4 Gats" and left for Paris. But he will keep a deep attachment to this city where he will come back many times.

Picasso Museum Barcelona Visit

The Museum, which is also a foundation, is certainly the reference in terms of understanding Picasso's work during his formative years. More than 4200 works by the young painter are on display. It presents Picasso's most important collection of drawings, paintings and sculptures from his early days to his blue period.

The Permanent Collection

The museum was created in 1963 on the idea of poet Jaime Sabartés, friend and private secretary of Pablo Picasso, when he donated his collection of the master's canvases to the city. When Jaume Sabartés died in 1968, Picasso completed this collection by offering the Meninas series and the blue portrait of Sabartés to the museum in 1901. In 1970 he donated another 920 paintings. Jacqueline Roque, Picasso's last wife and muse, made two important donations to the museum in the 1980s: 40 ceramics and 117 engravings.

The collection has since been completed over the years by donations from private collectors and galleries and by acquisitions from the City of Barcelona, including many photographs.

The visit to the museum traces the artist's journey from 1890 to 1917 in chronological order. Among the emblematic paintings in this collection you will discover:

Self-portrait of Picasso in 1896, he was only 15 years old then!

The blue portrait of Jaume Sabartés (1901)

Harlequin (1917)

Room 13, dedicated to the Menins, is certainly the most remarkable of this museum.

A great admirer of Diego Velázquez's work, Picasso re-interpreted in 1957 the famous painting "Las Meninas" painted in 1656 in a series of 58 paintings.

The series - “Les Ménines, les Demoiselles d'honneur"  - preserved in its entirety at the Picasso Museum in Barcelona is the only complete series by the artist that has remained in one place. This is a very extensive study that consists of 45 cubist interpretations of the work, 9 scenes of a dove, 3 landscapes, and a portrait of Jacqueline.

Temporary exhibitions

Do not miss temporary exhibitions such as the one on "Picasso in Barcelona in 1917" and the only collection of vintage photographs of Picasso by Lucien Clergue, an acquisition of the museum in 2017.

Which ticket for your visit to the Picasso Museum Barcelona?

1-Picasso Museum Skip the line ticket 

Book online and skip the queues at the local ticket counter. 

Picasso Museum Barcelona ticket prices :

• Adult permanent collection ticket: 12€
• Permanent collection ticket under 18 years old: 0€
• Senior permanent collection ticket (over 65 years old): 7€
• Temporarily Exhibition ticket: 2€
• Audioguide*: 5€
  * Audioguide is available in the following languages: English, Catalan, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

To Avoid waiting lines : we strongly advise you to choose date and time and to buy online your tickets.

Picasso Museum Barcelona Skip the line Tickets from 12€

2- Picasso Guided Walking Tour

Let an experienced English guide take you along places such as the famous Els Quatre Gats Café and Carrer Avinyó. Then discover the Picasso Museum and stay as long as you wish after the tour.

English guide only Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday

Picasso Guided Walking Tour ticket prices:

• Adult €36.00 instead of €39.00
• Child (11-16) €12.00
• Child (0-10) € free

Skip the line 1,5 hour Guided Picasso Museum Walking Tour from 36€

3/ Skip the line ticket Picasso Museum + Tourist Bus one day.

A very ingenious and economical combined ticket that offers a whole day to discover the city on a sightseeing bus and priority access to Picasso Museum.

Convenient because the bus (red route) drops you off near the Picasso Museum ! + Enjoy the 3 roads and 45 stops in front of the main landmarks of the city. You get on and off the bus as often as you want, at your own pace.

Economical and time saving Picasso Museum line-cut ticket + Tourist Bus one day includes:

• Access to the three routes of the official tourist bus service and its free audio guide, during a whole day.
• You can get on and off at the 45 stops located near the city's most visited tourist attractions.
• An audio guide (in English or 15 other languages) and headphones available onboard the bus..
• A map and guide of the city, available in different languages.

Picasso Museum skip the line ticket prices + Tourist Bus one day:

• Price for adults: 42€
• Price for accompanied children from 13 to 17 years old: 28€
• Price for accompanied children from 4 to 12 years old: 16€
• Price for accompanied children from 0 to 3 years old: free

Buy now your Picasso Museum skip the line Ticket + Hop on Hop off bus from 42€

4- BCN Genius Combi: Picasso Museum 

Gaudí´s Casa Vicens and Casa de les Punxes

Discover the 3 Geniuses of Barcelona! Antoni Gaudí, Pablo Picasso and Josep Puig I Cadafalch. A combination of the best architecture and art MUSEUM in the city.

In a single purchase enjoy:

• Skip the line tickets for the Picasso Museum
• Skip the line tickets for one of the best works of Gaudi: Casa Vicens
• Skip the line tickets for an architectural icon in Barcelona: Casa de les Punxes

Good to know:
Casa Vicens & Casa de les Punxes are open tickets.
For this pass you only need to know the date and time of your visit to the Picasso Museum. This will be the only information you will be asked for when you purchase your ticket.

BCN Genius Combi ticket prices:

• Adult €38.00€ instead of 41.50
• Youngster (12-17) €21.25
• Child (6-11) €11.25
• Child (0-5) € 0.00

BCN Genius Combi: Picasso Museum, Gaudí´s Casa Vicens & Casa de les Punxes from 38€

5/ Articket: The pass for Art lovers!

Visit Barcelona's 6 most important museums with a priority entrance including the Picasso Museum!

• This pass is valid for 12 months from the date of purchase.
• You visit the Museums in the order you wish.

Museums included in the Articket :

• Picasso Museum
• National Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC)
• Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)
• Miró Foundation
• Antoni Tapies Foundation
• Barcelona Centre for Contemporary Culture (CCCB)

The single price of the Articket is 35€.

Take advantage of the Articket pass to visit 6 Museums in Barcelona including the Picasso Museum from 35€

Picasso Museum opening hours

• The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 7pm. Thursdays until 9:30 pm.
• Closed every Monday and the following public holidays: January 1, May 1, June 24 and December 25. On December 24 and 31, the museum closes at 2pm.

Where is the Picasso Museum located?

The Picasso Museum is located in Montcada Street 15-23. The entrance is at N°17. The nearest metro station is Jaume I on line 4. All you have to do is get off at Carrer de la Princesa in front of the metro and then turn right to find Montcada.

Best time to visit Picasso Museum?

The museum is a landmark attraction in Barcelona. We advise you to visit it as soon as it opens or two hours before it closes, that's how long it takes to visit it.

Free admission to the Picasso Barcelona Museum

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona offers free admission:

• every Thursday afternoon from 6pm to 9.30pm
• the first Sunday of every month from 9 am to 7 pm
• and during the open days: February 12, May 18 and September 24

More information

• The Picasso Museum is equipped to accommodate people with reduced mobility. An elevator facilitates access to the exhibition and wheelchairs are available on request.
• It is forbidden to take photographs even without flash of the works of art just as it is forbidden to use your mobile phone.
• You will also enjoy the museum's bookstore and shop: an essential visit to buy postcards, souvenirs and books from your visit.