Like a proud peacock, this Modernist masterpiece spreads its feathers on the edge of the Sant Pere district: the Palau de la Música Catalana. Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a contemporary of Antoni Gaudí, this ornately decorated concert hall was built in the early 20th century for the Catalan choir Orfeó Català. A true feast for the eyes, and an absolute must for those who appreciate a touch of artistic extravagance.
| Palau de la Música Catalana | Tickets, opening hours& public transport |
|---|---|
| Tickets | A tour of the building with a guide: Ticket €20 For people under 35 and over 65, the ticket is €16 Free for children up to 10 years old For an Audio-Guided Tour, the ticket is €16 Prices for performances vary. |
| Adress | Carrer Palau de la Música 4-6, El Born |
| Public transport / metro | Metro: Urquinaona (L4) |
| Opening hours | For guided tours: 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (varies depending on the time of year) |
Click here to navigate directly to 👇
- Visiting the Palau de la Música Catalana
- Our personal tips
- Practical information
- History of the Palau de la Música Catalana
- Architecture of the Palau de la Música Catalana
- La Carmela by Jaume Plensa
De Barcelona Card: Unlimited public transport + free entry and discounts at museums
Visiting the Palau de la Música Catalana
One of the best ways to experience the Palau de la Música Catalana is by attending a concert. Tickets are available online via the official website or at the on-site ticket counters. The program is diverse, featuring everything from classical music and recitals to pop concerts and flamenco. Prices vary, so it’s a good idea to check in advance.
While some say the acoustics changed after the 20th-century renovations, attending a performance is still highly recommended—the concert hall itself is absolutely breathtaking!
You can also explore the Palau on a guided tour, which departs every half hour. Advance reservations are required and can be made through platforms like Tiqets.
If you’d rather just soak in the atmosphere, head to the restaurant at the back of the building (walk around to the left). You’ll catch a glimpse of the stunning architecture while enjoying delicious pintxos on the terrace.
Our personal tips
- Just around the corner from Palau de la Música Catalana, you’ll find the charming courtyard of Antic Teatre (C/Verdaguer i Callís 12). Order your drink inside at the bar and enjoy a balmy summer evening under the trees. It’s also a great spot for a quiet breakfast.
- In the same little street, you’ll come across El Bitxo, a cozy restaurant with atypical tapas and small dishes. The Earl Grey-marinated cod, artichoke salad, and patatas bravas with a twist are delicious! Or simply go for a cheese platter with a glass of wine. Not the best place if you’re with (small) children, but highly recommended for a romantic dinner.
- Are you a coffee lover? Walk a bit further down the Palau’s street until you spot a beautiful passageway on your left—Passatge Sert. Enter, take five steps in, and on your right, you’ll find Nomad Coffee, where they serve the very best. Open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, but closed on weekends.
Practical information
Opening Hours: Guided tours are available between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM, though times may vary depending on the season. In the evening, opening hours depend on the scheduled performances.
Prices: A guided tour of the building costs €20 (free for children up to 10 years old). Ticket prices for performances vary.
History of the Palau de la Música Catalana
Tucked away near Via Laietana, in the historic Sant Pere neighborhood—a former working-class area known for its maze of narrow streets and rich history—stands the Palau de la Música Catalana. It was built as the new headquarters for the Orfeó Català, the renowned Catalan choral society.
In 1904, the site of the old Sant Francisco monastery was purchased for 240,322.60 pesetas (around €1,450 today). A year later, the first stone of the Palau de la Música was laid—a stone you can still see on a guided tour, inside the hall where the Orfeó Català choir continues to rehearse.
The project was funded by the members of Orfeó Català and wealthy patrons from Barcelona’s textile industry, echoing the way the Liceu opera house on La Rambla had been financed sixty years earlier.
In 1997, the Palau de la Música Catalana, together with the Hospital de Sant Pau, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural and architectural significance.
Architecture of the Palau de la Música Catalana
The opulent Palau de la Música Catalana was constructed using red brick and richly adorned with glazed tiles, mosaic-covered columns, and elaborate decorative details characteristic of Catalan Modernism.
Until 1989, the main entrance was at the front of the building. Today, if you’re facing the Palau, you’ll need to walk to the left, continue to the end of the street, and enter from the right side of the building.
On the first floor of the Palau de la Música Catalana, the balcony showcases fourteen columns, grouped in pairs. Each column is uniquely decorated, often featuring pastel-colored floral patterns—take a moment to admire the delicate craftsmanship up close.
On the second floor, you’ll find three busts honoring famous composers: Palestrina, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Beethoven. Just around the right-hand corner, there’s an additional bust of Richard Wagner.
The mosaic pediment on the façade, crafted by ceramist Lluís Bru, features the flag of Orfeó Català, the iconic Montserrat mountain, and a reference to a song by composer Amadeu Vives, which later became the official anthem of Mallorca.
At the front of the building, the two large pillars that support the structure once housed the ticket offices (taquillas) where concert tickets were sold. Today, one of these original taquillas has been reopened as an information point, while the official ticket offices have been relocated just around the left-hand corner of the building.
The original ticket office.
Sant Jordi and the symbolism of the Palau
On the right corner of the Palau de la Música Catalana, you’ll find “The Catalan Folk Song”, a striking sculpture by Miguel Blay. At the center stands Sant Jordi (Saint George), an important symbol of Catalan identity, depicted holding his sword. Surrounding him are figures representing both the elite and the common people, symbolizing that the Palau de la Música was created as a place for all social classes to come together and celebrate music.
Petit Palau and Modern Additions
On the left side of the building is the Petit Palau, a modern extension completed at the end of the 20th century. One of its most distinctive elements is the corner façade, decorated with an elegant palm tree motif. Around this corner, you’ll also find the artist entrance, the Mirador restaurant with its inviting terrace, and the relocated ticket offices.
Inside the concert hall of the Palau de la Música Catalana, the stained-glass ceiling is an absolute showstopper. This stunning feature bathes the hall in natural light, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. It’s a truly unique element—there’s nothing quite like it in any other concert hall in Europe.
For architecture enthusiasts: Lluís Domènech i Montaner had previously experimented with a similar stained-glass design in the main building of the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, although on a much smaller scale.
La Carmela by Jaume Plensa
As you cross Via Laietana from the Gothic Quarter toward the Palau de la Música Catalana, it’s impossible to miss La Carmela, the striking black iron sculpture by renowned artist Jaume Plensa. Installed in April 2016, the piece was placed alongside two other works by Plensa inside the Palau. La Carmela represents the three-dimensional head of a 14-year-old Catalan girl, whom Plensa photographed in 2013.
The artist describes the work as a fusion of photography and sculpture, blending realistic imagery with sculptural form. The sculpture quickly became beloved by the people of Barcelona, a response that deeply moved Plensa. As a result, the City Council of Barcelona agreed to let La Carmela remain in place for eight years, free of charge, with the option to extend its stay.
Plensa specifically chose the location, noting that it was once a lifeless, empty space, lacking energy. At his request, the sculpture was installed there to revitalize the area. Today, La Carmela is a vibrant part of the urban landscape—tourists pose for photos, passersby pause to admire it, and people gather around, bringing life to a space that had once been overlooked.
