Route through Modernisme in Barcelona

I’ve said it before in my main post about Barcelona: this wonderful city has its own unique style, and it is in part because of modernisme, the Catalan art neouveau. This artistic movement was born in the end of the 19th century around the time of the First Barcelona World Fair, and it was used as a representative of Catalan identity. This movement is best known by the works of Antoni Gaudí. Although Gaudí’s work is fantastic, Barcelona is full of other examples of this unique style. For this, I have prepared a route around the city consisting of what I think are the best examples of modernisme in Barcelona.

This route is MASSIVE so I have divided it in different areas of the city. There is no need to follow the full route, you can take in one area, several or just visit those buildings you find more interesting. If you plan to have a modernism-focused day, you can follow the route marked with a line in the map (which covers sections 1 to 5).

Travel tip: use the interactive map to guide yourself through the route and click on the names of the buildings in the Post Contents box to find a description and picture of each of them.

* Since I need to maintain Feast of Travel, it is likely that this post contains affiliate links. It does not affect you in any way, but if you want to read more about it, you can have a look at the Trusted companies page.

1. Sagrada Família and Hospital de Sant Pau

Sagrada Família

This route can work both ways, so it is up to you to decide where to start. The first or last stop is Sagrada Família, the unfinished masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí. I suggest to start or finish in Sagrada Família in case you want to visit the interior, which has the best lighting in the morning (10-11.30 am) or the afternoon (5-6 pm). You can buy your tickets and skip the line here, get access to the tower or have a guided tour, and keep reading about this wonderful monument in my dedicated post:

→ Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: Sagrada Família

Hospital de Sant Pau i la Santa Creu

The second stop in the area is Hospital de Sant Pau i la Santa Creu, a hospital built between 1901 and 1930 by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. In my opinion, this is one of the most beautiful complexes in the city and in the world, and one of the highest representatives of the modernism movement. The hospital stopped functioning in 2009 and now can be visited. You can purchase your tickets here or get a guided tour of the site.

Casa Planells

Casa Planells is a very strange building designed by Josep Maria Jujol i Gibert, pupil of Antoni Gaudí, and it is considered the very last piece of modernism in Barcelona.

Photo credit: Amadalvarez with CC BY-SA 3.0

Palau Macaya

Palau Macaya is a house built by Josep Puig i Cadafalch in 1901. Its white façade with two towers and elaborate decorations are a beautiful addition to the important street Passeig de Sant Joan. Today, this beautiful building tries to bring together the citizens and the movement by organizing sessions with volunteers to promote the value of the building and modernism.

Photo credit: Peter with CC BY-NC 2.0

Photo credit: Josep Bracons with CC BY-SA 2.0

2. Dreta de l’Eixample

Church of Sant Francesc de Sales

The Church of Sant Francesc de Sales, which also contains a nun convent, is a hybrid between neogothic and modernist styles created by Gaudí’s mentor Joan Martorell i Montells.

Casa Llopis Bofill

Casa Llopis Bofill also called La Casa de les Mosques (the House of Flies) is a beautiful building designed by Antoni Maria Gallisà i Soqué in 1902 with iconic sgraffiti by Josep Maria Jujol with floral and insect motifs. This is one of my favourite modernist buildings in the city.

Photo credit: Ajuntament Barcelona with CC BY-ND 2.0

Mercat de la Concepció

This beautiful modernist market (where I’ve done my groceries for most of my life) is also called Mercat de les Flors (Market of Flowers) because of the notorious flower stand at the entrance in Carrer de València. Designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias, it has the iconic characteristics of the modernist markets: iron structure that support the roof of green and red tiles.

Travel tip: although it’s not the cheapest market in the city, it has some of the best produce. It’s a good place to buy some snacks for the day or an edible souvenir!

Photo credit: Gerhidt with CC BY-SA 4.0

Conservatori Municipal de Música de Barcelona

The CMMB is the conservatory (music school) of the city. The building was designed by Antoni de Falguera i Sivilla and is in a transition moment between modernism and noucentisme (a Catalan movement that was a reaction against modernism), hence the neogothic classical approach that gives it a medieval castle look.

Photo credit: Javier.1024 with CC BY-SA 4.0

Casa Vallet i Xiró

This apartment building was designed by Josep M. Barenys i Gambús in 1913 with clear features of the end of modernism and influence of the European Secession movement.

Photo credit: Pere prlpz with CC BY-SA 3.0

Casa Thomas

Casa Thomas is a beautiful building designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner and commissioned by printer Josep Thomas. The house reflects the most purely decorative modernist style, and you can visit the ground floor where the workshop of the original owner.

Open the first Tuesday and the third Saturday of every month at 11.30 and 10.30 respectively with previous appointment at lluisdomenechmontaner@gmail.com or calling 652882457. Price: 18€.

Photo credit: Fred Romero with CC BY 2.0

Palau Montaner

Palau Montaner is one of the very few remaining mansions in Eixample. The project started by Josep Domènech i Estapà for the owners of the publishing house Montaner i Simón, but it was Lluís Domènech i Montaner who finished it in 1893. Pay attention to the decorative mosaic in the façade.

Photo credit: Pere López with CC BY-SA 3.0

Casa de les Punxes (Casa Terrades)

Casa Terrades, also called Casa de les Punxes (House of Spikes) is a 1905 building by Josep Puig i Cadafalch that comprises three blocks of apartments. The architect designed it with clear medieval inspiration, with its iconic four towers and a viewpoint of Gothic style. Pay special attention to the iron and ceramic work of the doors and balconies with Catalan patriotic elements.

You can visit Casa de les Punxes and see the beautiful interior as well as enjoy an interactive audio guide that will tell you about the history of the building and the legend of Saint George, patron of the city. The normal price is 13.50€, but you can buy them with 40% discount and skip the line here.

Casa Comalat

Casa Comalat is one of my favourite examples of modernism in the city. The architect Salvador Valeri i Pupurull managed to include many of the elements that make the modernist style in his original building: avoinding straight lines, the use of color, tile mosaics… Check out the two façades: one facing Avinguda Diagonal and the other facing Carrer de Còrsega.

Other modernist buildings in the area: Casa Granell, Casa Lamadrid, Casa Pomar, Forn de la Concepció, Forn Sarret, Casa Santurce, Casa Jaume Forn, Casa Josefa Villanueva, Queviures Múrria.

3. Passeig de Gràcia

Passeig de Gràcia

Passeig de Gràcia is probably the most important street in the city, the main shopping artery and the epicenter of modernisme in Barcelona. This street contains two of the most important works by the king of modernism Antoni Gaudí: Casa Batlló and La Pedrera. What most people don’t know is that the street itself is full of gems designed by the architect. The tiles on the floor were originally designed for Casa Batlló and later for La Pedrera and they mimick the sea bottom. The street lamps and the stone benches were also designed by Gaudí.

Photo credit: TumbleCow under license CC BY-SA 3.0.

Casa Fuster

Casa Fuster is a pristine work of modernism that sits atop of Passeig de Gràcia. It was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1910, with hints of the neocentisme in the more classical look and the toned down colors. The building was turned into a luxury hotel in 2004, but its rooftop terrace can be accessed to enjoy some of the best views of Passeig de Gràcia while sipping on a glass of cava. This is one of my favourite spots for great views of the city. Check out the full article here:

→ Barcelona from above: 15 best views of Barcelona

Casa Serra

Casa Serra is a modernist building designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch that  was originally thought as a residence but eventually ended up as the council for the Province of Barcelona. The building has marked modernist characteristics such as the orange and green tile roof and the medieval inspiration, and it creates an interesting contrast with the new building for the council.

Photo credit: Casa Serra with CC BY-SA 2.0

Palau del Baró de Quadras

This binary building switching from now-gothic to modernist style was commissioned by the Baron de Quadras to Josep Puig i Cadafalch. The façade in Avinguda Diagonal has the look of North-European palaces with an intricately carved style, while the façade in Carrer de Rosselló aintained some of the features fo the original building, adding modernist elements.

The interior of the building have fantastic modernist decorations with a few elements of the neo-gothic style and an Arabesque touch. It is well worth it to visit it. You can buy your tickets here.

Photo credit: Yearofthedragon with CC BY 2.5

Photo credit: Jordi Marsol with CC BY 2.0

La Pedrera (Casa Milà)

La Pedrera is one of the most iconic modernist buildings in Barcelona by Antoni Gaudí. It was originally very badly received and it was called “the stone quarry” despectively. Today it has embraced this name with pride. Buy your ticekts and skip the line here, or book some of the more immersive tours like the Awakening (which is at sunrise and it includes areas that are not included in the normal tour) or the Origins (which happens at night and it includes a glass of cava and an immersive audiovisual show on the roof terrace).

You can discover more about this wonderful building in its own dedicated post. It is also one of the best places to get amazing views of the city:

→ Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: La Pedrera

→ Barcelona from above: 15 best views of Barcelona

Casa Vídua Marfà

This building designed by Manuel Comas i Thos in 1901 has a very high degree of inspiration in both the romanic and gothic architecture. The inside however, slides away from historicism and turns into modernism, starting by the arches and the painted glass. It hosts the School of Public Relations, so you can have a look inside without paying.

Photo credit: Enfo with CC BY-SA 3.0

Editorial Montaner i Simon (Fundació Antoni Tàpies)

Montaner and Simón managed one of the most important editorials in the city in the XIX century. They commissioned the headquarters to a young Lluis Domènech i Montaner in 1879. As his first big project in the city, he used uncovered clay brick and iron to merge this Renaissance-inspired building into the city.

Today it hosts the Fundació Antoni Tàpies, a museum and cultural enter dedicated to the Catalan painter.

Illa de la Discòrdia

Illa de la Discòrdia or Mansana de la Discòrdia is a popular name given to a section of Passeig de Gràcia due to the high density of modernist buildings by Domènech i Montaner, Puig i Cadafalch and Gaudí. Discòrdia means discord (duh) and this name makes reference to the marked rivalry between these architects.

The main buildings in this block are Casa Batlló (by Antoni Gaudí), Casa Amatller (by Josep Puig i Cadafalch) and Casa Lleó Morera (by Lluís Domènech i Montaner). Other modernist examples in the block are Casa Mulleras and Casa Bonet.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló is one of the most known buildings by the architect Antoni Gaudí. You can read more about this building in our dedicated post:

→ Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: Casa Batlló

You can buy your tickets and skip the line through this link, enjoy an evening visit with a concert and two drinks in their Magic Nights (this tickets are seasonal, only during the summer months) or, if you’re traveling with kids, go through their theatrical visit.

Casa Amatller

Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch is one of those buildings that are absolutely fantastic but get overshadowed by their neighbor (Casa Batlló). However, the Catalan tiles, the sgraffiti of the façade and the sculptures by Eusebi Arnau make for an amazing building.

You can visit this building with an audioguide and with a chocolate tasting at the end for 19€ using this link, or get a theatrical visit.

Photo credit: Yearofthedragon with CC BY 2.5

Casa Lleó Morera

Probably the least known building of the three, this palace-like residence was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1902. The original job was to redesign the previous building, Casa Rocamora. The most iconic part of this building is the ornate balconies and the mix of medieval, greek and barroque elements.

Photo credit: Kwong Yee Cheng with CC BY-SA 2.0

Casa Malagrida

Casa Malagrida is a residential building designed by Joaquim Codina i Matalí with sculptures by Pere Ricart i Marés. Despite its palace-like architecture, it was actually thought to be a multi-apartment building. Of interest, there are elements in the building’s ornaments which remind to Spain and Argentina, which were essential for the economical growth of the person who commissioned the building: Manuel Malagrida.

Photo credit: Elisa.rolle with CC BY-SA 3.0 ES

Cases Rocamora

Cases Rocamora is a complex of three buildings unified by one façade. It was finished in 1917 by architect Joaquim Bassegoda i Amigó. The tribunes, domes and pinnacles connect the gothic elements throughout the buildings.

Photo credit: Chabe01 with CC BY-SA 4.0

Cases Pascual i Pons

Similarly to Cases Rocamora, Cases Pascual i Pons are two joint buildings with a a Gothic palace aesthetic built by architect Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia in 1891.

Photo credit: Enric with CC BY-SA 4.0

Casa Calvet

Casa Calvet is usually referred as the most conservative work by Antoni Gaudí, although some modernist elements are still visible in the balconies or the top of the building. It was built in 1898 for the Calvet family, a family of textile manufacturers that were moving to Barcelona. Their work and origins were inserted in the building by Gaudí, with rolls of thread in the column or the three patron saints of Vilassar, their hometown.

Other modernist buildings in the area: Casa Bonaventura Ferrer, Casa Antoni Costa, Casa Casas-Carbó, Casa Queraltó, Casa Juncosa, Casa Domènech i Estapà, Farmàcia Bolós, Casa Fargas, Casa Llorenç Camprubí, Casa Garriga Nogués

4. Ramblas and Old Town

This is a great spot to combine the modernism route with my guide to Las Ramblas and my tour of the Old town:

→ Guide to Las Ramblas in Barcelona

→ Medieval Barcelona: a route through Barcelona’s Old Town

Palau de la Música Catalana

Palau de la Música Catalana is a concert hall designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and it is also one of my favourite buildings in the city. It was built in 1908 for a choral society (Orfeó Català), which was leading in the Catalant movement Renaixença. Curved lines and rich decoraions characterize the building, and the concert room is even more spectacular, with its wonderful glass ceiling and the rich sculptures around it.

You can buy tickets for a concert here or get a guided tour (and skip the line) through this link.

Casa Martí (Els Quatre Gats)

Els Quatre Gats (the Four Cats) is a café known for being a popular meeting place for famous artists during the modernist period in Catalonia. Prsonalities such as Pablo Picasso and Antoni Gaudí. It was designed by a modernist architect as well, Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Today it is a restaurant serving  (quite nice) Catalan food. You can have a look here.

Photo credit: Yearofthedragon with CC BY 2.5

Mercat de la Boqueria

La Boqueria is a large public market located in La Rambla. The original market dates back to 1217 but the current structure was constructed in 1914. It is a great place for foodies to sample some of the local food. Check out more stuff to do in the area here:

→ Guide to Las Ramblas in Barcelona

Travel tip: avoid the first stalls and move towards the back where the prices gradually drop!

Antiga Casa Figueras

Antigua Casa Figueras is a building also in la Rambla with modernist decoration. It was a pasta factory but currently it hosts the famous pastry shop Escribà.

Photo credit: Enfo with CC BY-SA 3.0

Cafè de l’Òpera

This building of the end of the 19th century hosts a café (probably the only one you should consider going in in la Rambla) which is beautifully decorated in a very art nouveau way, in the French style, with capitols and female images on the walls. You can have a look here.

Photo credit: Thomas Ledl with CC BY-SA 4.0

Hotel Peninsular

This charming and central hotel was renovated from a convent in 1888. It is a fantastic way to stay in Barcelona in an old monk’s (renovated) cell with the bohemian charm that characterises the city and in a very central location. You can book your room here.

Photo credit: Thomas Ledl with CC BY-SA 4.0

Palau Güell

One more of Gaudí’s buildings, Palau Güell was commissioned by Eusebi Güell – the guy that took part in the Park Güell – and built in 1888. The most iconic part of the building is the ice cream-like pinnacles on the rooftop.

Photo credit: Enfo with CC BY-SA 3.0

Photo credit: Planetainsolito with CC BY-SA 4.0

Other modernist buildings in the area: Catalana de Gas, Casa Elena Castellano, Real Acadèmia de Ciències i Arts, El Indio, Casa Doctor Genové, Camiseria Bonet, Hotel España, London Bar

5. Parc de la Ciutadella

Since you are here, make sure you also check out other things to see in the park in this section:

→ Parc de la Ciutadella

Umbracle

Umbracle is a greenhouse metal structure projected by Josep Fontserè in 1883 for the Universal Exposition in Barcelona in 1888. Back then it was used as a ball room and conference hall.

Photo credit: latitudes-flickr with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Hivernacle

Another example of the iron architecture that flourished for the Universal Exposition of 1888 by Josep Fontserè (although it was finally built by Josep Amargós i Samaranch). The mix of iron, stone and glass with the green of the plants inside gives it a very beautiful touch.

Castell dels Tres Dragons

The Castle of the Three Dragons was originally built as a café-restaurant for the 1888 Universal Exposition by Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It reminds of the early work of Domènech i Muntanter at the Fundació Antoni Tàpies with the naked brick and iron. For a while, this building held the Museum of Zoology, although it was dismantelled and the collections transfered to the Museum of Natural Sciences.

Photo credit: Selbymay with CC BY-SA 3.0

Central Catalana de Electricidad

This building of 1897, see of the electric and water company of the region, shows the signs of the early modernism, an industrial look of naked brick and iron supports that allowed for bigger windows.

Photo credit: Enfo with CC BY-SA 3.0

Casa Estapé (Casa Enric Laplana)

Casa Estapé or Casa Enric Laplana, is an apartment building designed by Bernardí Martorell i Puig in 1907. Some of the most iconic elements of this building are the wide tribune of the first floor, the sgraffiti of the façade and the fantastic tiled dome atop the building.

Photo credit: Enfo with CC BY-SA 3.0

Arc de Triomf

Arc de Triomf is an arch designed by Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas located at the end of Passeig de Sant Joan and the beginning of Avinguda de Lluís Companys. It was built to be the main entrance for the Universal Exposition of 1888. It has a marked modernist style, with naked brick and neo-mudéjar style and fun story, it’s the only triomph arch that was not built with military character, but with a civil one (in the frontal part you can read Barcelona rep les nacions “Barcelona recieves nations”).

In my opinion, this is one of the most representative scenaries of Barcelona, with Arc de Triomf, the avenue and the palm trees, showing this European yet Moorish and tropical side of Barcelona’s character.

6. Other areas of the city

Parc Güell

One of the most iconic and biggest shows of modernism is Parc Güell, located in the Carmel Hill. Designed by Antoni Gaudí and commissioned by Eusebi Güell, it was originally thought to be a residential area. Read more about it in its own article:

→ Modernisme in Barcelona through Gaudí: Parc Güell

Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens is the first building ever designed by Gaudí. It was designed as a house for Manuel Vicens i Montaner in 1883 and it is very unique within Gaudí’s work for his neo-mudéjar (moorish revival) architecture and its bright opposing colours.

Now Casa Vicens is a museum and you can get discounted tickets here with 20% discount! It is one of the most unique pieces of modernism and a perfect alternative plan for second timers in the city that have seen his main works.

Observatori Fabra

The Fabra Observatory is an astronomical observatory established in 1904 and designed by Josep Domènech i Estapà. The project was impulsed by Camilo Fabra, the marquese of Alella, since the government of Barcelona did not want to spend the money on it.

The observatory is still working and it’s one of the best spots to get fantastic views of the city. You can now dine at the terrace in their dinner with stars events.

→ Barcelona from above: 15 best views of Barcelona

CosmoCaixa

Cosmo Caixa is the Science Museum of Barcelona and it is located in a beautiful building from 1909 by Josep Domènech i Estapà that served as an asylum for the blind until 1979. Right now it is a fantastic science useum that includes a flooded forest, a geological wall, the hall of matter a click and flash section,abubble planetariumand and touch, touch!an interactive house of living creatures. It is a perfect place when traveling with kids (or nerd adults like me!).

Get your tickets here.

Avinguda Tibidabo

Avinguda Tibidabo is in the high part of Barcelona and it is lined in modernist houses built for the wealthy families of the city back in the beginning of the 20th century. The most important ones are Torre Ignacio Portabella, Casa Roviralta, Casa Fornells, Casa Casacuberta, Casa Arnús and La Rotonda.

Another modernist feature of this street is the transportation: Tranvia Blau, a blue tram that rides along the street.

Mercat de Sant Antoni

Mercat de Sant Antoni is a public market built in 1882 by Antoni Rovira i Trias and Josep Maria Cornet i Mas. Its main features are the iron structures and the orange and green tiles that characterize modernist markets. It was extensively renovated between 2009 and 2018 and it is now open to the public.

Torre Bellesguard

Torre Bellesguard is another example of modernist architecture by Antoni Gaudí. It was built as a manor house in 1909 based on the former castle of Martin, King of Aragon and Count of Barcelona. The personal characteristics of Gaudí are visible, with his inspiration in nature and religious features. The house was bought by a doctor in 1944 and the family has conserved the property until today.

Since 2013, visits are allowed in the grounds and interior of the tower. You can get your tickets here.

Photo credit: Josep Bracons with CC BY-SA 2.0

Closing statement

Barcelona is one of the most amazing cities this planet has to offer, so make sure you visit and it will let you wanting for more. I hope I have been able to transmit my love for the city and that now you are feeling the urge to buy your plane tickets! Continue to discover Barcelona from my main post about the city, which will lead you to many articles:

→ Top 10 things to do in Barcelona

Make sure you don’t miss out on experiences in Barcelona by buying tickets for its attractions in Tiqets.com and skipping the lines:

In particular I recommend purchasing the Barcelona Card if you are interested in visiting some of the city’s museums and attractions. With this card you get free entrance to many museums and attractions as well as unlimited use to the public transport for an amount of time as well as transport from and to the airport. It also includes a discount coupon booklet that you can use for other attractions, tours and entertainment in the city.

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