*This blog Post is part of our Things To Do In Barcelona series and is included in our blog category Barcelona Tips.
The Casa Batlló is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona – and one of the most expensive as well. As I said about the Sagrada Familia and the Park Guell, and just about everything else created by Antoni Gaudi, the Casa Batllo is unique, otherworldly, ridiculously cool, and there is nothing else like it in the world.
Located very close to the city center, about halfway up the Passeig de Gracia, the Casa Batlló is easily accessible from most parts of the city. Getting to the Casa Batlló is as easy as walking along the Passeig de Gracia until you see the most amazing building ever.
*A quick tip – check out the Magic Nights at the Casa Batllo. For an unforgettable cultural experience and a truly magical night of live music at the Casa Batlló, the Magic Nights at the Casa Batlló is a unique and not too expensive opportunity. This is not for everyone. But, if you wanted to go see a flamenco show in Barcelona (which I really wouldn’t recommend, as flamenco is not a part of Catalan or Barcelona culture) check this out instead! (scroll down for more information).
Why the Casa Batlló
The Casa Batlló is probably the most dramatic example of Antoni Gaudi’s innovative, decorative architectural style. Not interested in architecture? You will be after seeing this stunning residence designed by the master of Catalan modernist Art Nouveau architecture.
From a staircase modeled after a whale’s spinal cord to a mushroom-fireplace sitting room, the Casa Batlló is a remarkable blend of decorative art nouveau design, inspiration from the natural sciences, rich symbolism and a playful use of natural light. One of the true masterpieces of Antoni Gaudi’s prolific career, the Casa Batlló is a Barcelona tourist attraction not to be missed – if you are willing to fork out the rather inflated entrance fee.
A Little History
The Casa Batllo was built in 1877 as a normal “classical” building in the center of Barcelona. At the time it was nothing special and actually somewhat undesirable due to its classical style. In 1900 Josep Batllo bought the building and in 1904 commissioned Antoni Gaudi to redesign and refurbish the entire structure. Construction began on the Casa Batllo in 1904 and the project was completed in 1906.
General Information About the Casa Batlló
| Casa Batlló Prices – Admission Fee |
| General Admission (over 18 yrs.) | 20.35€ | *audio guide included in price | |
| Group Admission (+20 persons) | 17.30€ | *audio guide included in price | |
| Discounted Rate (under 18, Student, seniors) | 16.30€ | *guided tour or with audio guide | |
| Residents of Catalonia (id required) | 16.30€ | *guided tour or with audio guide | |
| *prices listed are current as of Aug. 2013 | |||
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| Casa Batlló Opening Hours |
| Monday – Sunday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm | *Last entrance allowed at 8:00pm | |
| *The Casa Batlló schedule is year round and is not season specific. | |||
| *Due to occasional planned events early closure (at 2:00 pm) may be required. If you are concerned about the possibility of early closure consult the Casa Batlló web site directly. | |||
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Magic Nights at The Casa Batlló
The Magic nights at the Casa Batlló is a great opportunity to get a little culture for your tourist buck. With a different live music performance every night, a free welcome drink, access to the Noble Floor and the modernist terrace, and a truly magical atmosphere, the Magic Nights at the Casa Batlló offers a very special and unique Barcelona Summer Nights Experience.
Each night of the week offers a different genre of music and provides a different atmosphere to this truly magical event. With an impressive list of performers, the Magic Nights at Casa Batlló offers a little bit of everything: opera, solo guitar and vocal, artistic dance performance, Rumba, Spanish guitar and more. Check the Casa Batlló magic nights webpage for performance schedules to be sure you book the night with the right vibe for you.
The musical performances are separated into two sessions: one at 9:30 pm outside on the modernist terrace and the other at 11:00 pm inside in the gallery of the Noble Floor. Enjoy a glass of wine, some amazing live music and… all in the magical atmosphere of the Casa Batlló on a beautiful summer night.
| Magic Nights at the Casa Batlló Event Schedule |
| Tuesday – Sunday | Starting at 9:00 pm | ||
| *The 2013 schedule is from June 28th – September 27th | |||
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| Magic Nights at the Casa Batlló Prices |
| Magic Nights Ticket – General Admission | 29.00€ | ||
| Combined Ticket (Cultural Visit + Magic Nights) | 35.00€ | ||
| *One welcome drink included in price | |||
| *prices listed are current as of Aug. 2013 | |||
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How to Get to the Casa Batlló
The Casa Batlló is fairly easy to get to and should be pretty easily found by any tourist exploring Barcelona. First, it is located about halfway up the Passeig de Gracia on the left hand side when walking from the Plaza Catalunya in the direction of Avinguda Diagonal. The street Passeig de Gracia is itself a tourist attraction. What I would recommend is either start at the Plaza Catalunya and walk all the way up Passeig de Gracia until you get the Avinguda Diagonal or start at Avinguda Diagonal and walk all the way down to Plaza Catalunya.
How to get to the Casa Batlló by metro – There is a metro stop with an exit directly in front of the Casa Batlló. CAUTION, the stop is the Passeig de Gracia stop. The Passeig de Gracia metro stop connects 3 metro lines and a Renfe train station – making it a rather large and labyrinthine metro station. If you think you can just take the metro to the Passeig de Gracia stop, exit the station, look up and see the Casa Batlló, you could get lucky. But you could end up 3 blocks away and on an entirely different street. If you arrive using the metro line 3 (Green) you should have no problem. Just exit the train and follow the exit signs that say ‘sortida Arago-Rambla Catalunya’ – sortida is ‘exit’ in Catalan. If you arrive at the Passeig de Gracia metro stop with either the line 2 (purple) or line 4 (yellow) or with a Renfe train, I would recommend traversing the maze-like tunnels as if you were switching to the line 3 (green) metro line before exiting the station.
If you happen to be staying at our Sant Jordi Hostel Rock Palace Barcelona Hostel you probably already know where the Casa Batlló is. If not, just ask the receptionist. All you have to do is walk out the door of the hostel building, go right and then make your left (on c/ Arago). Continue on c/ Arago for 2 blocks – until you get to Passeig de Gracia – and turn right. You wont be able to miss it.
If you are staying at our Sant Jordi Hostel Lluria Barcelona Hostel, you are also close enough to go by foot. Just go right out of the hostel building and then go left on the first street you come to. Go to blocks until you get to Passeig de Gracia, cross to the other side and go to your right. The Casa Batlló will be 1 ½ blocks up on the left.
If you are staying at any of the other Sant Jordi Hostels Barcelona it is probably best to follow the directions given above for how to get to the Casa Batllo by metro.
