Palau de la Música Catalana
Photo: Dominik Gehl on dominikgehl.com
- Category
- Monument
- Hours
- Daytime guided tours every day; concerts in the evening depending on programming
- Price
- From €20 for the guided tour
- Neighborhood
- Sant Pere
- How to get there
- Metro L1 or L4, Urquinaona stop
Book this activity
Affiliate link: if you book through it, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palau de la Música Catalana is, alongside the Sagrada Família, one of only two buildings in Barcelona individually declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It opened in 1908 as the home of the Orfeó Català, and is still an active concert hall, not a frozen museum.
Its most photographed feature is the central skylight, an immense inverted glass lamp that floods the main hall with natural light, surrounded by mosaics, sculptures and stained glass that turn every inch of the building into a piece of Modernist craftsmanship.
The daytime guided tour takes you around the building at a relaxed pace and explains its history; to really experience the acoustics, the best option is to attend a concert at night, ranging from classical music to jazz or flamenco depending on the season.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the guided tour of the Palau de la Música cost?
From €20 for the daytime guided tour.
Is it better to visit the Palau de la Música by day or attend a concert?
The daytime guided tour explains the history and architecture well; to experience the real acoustics, the best option is attending a concert at night.