Palau de la Música Catalana

This spectacular place of music, with its natural light, and glass, ceramic and sculptures combined to create magic and transcendence to a place of great creativity. What a joy to view a master architects vision become real. The organ is also wonderful and we were privileged to hear it resonate throughout the main hall. So much symbolism, pride and love for music captured in a place that is held in high esteem by many within the music world. Do visit if you can and soak in the atmosphere.

Beautiful working auditorium. Periodically, they'd play a pre recorded piece from the magnificent wind pipes. Absolutely divine! It's a definite must visit!

This music hall is artistic and full of history. When we visited someone was practicing piano so we could enjoy how good sounds travelled in the hall. However the chairs are extremely worn out, dated and narrow. We got the admission ticket with pamphlet option however there was no pamphlet so it’s quite misleading.

My recent visit to the Palau de la Música Catalana was a remarkable experience. The visit, the architecture, interior design and the Palau itself was exceptional, warranting a full five-star rating. The value between quality and price is commendable, as the experience offered tremendous value for the cost. The staff was generally courteous, although there is room for improvement in their attentiveness. I highly recommend this venue to anyone seeking a memorable cultural outing in Barcelona.

Gorgeous venue. Excellent music, vibrant dancing. We loved the flamenco and guitar concert. Just fantastic and really wanted to see the Palau de la Música. It is a beautiful venue. Arrive early so you have time to take it all in.

The Palau de la Música Catalana is a breathtaking example of Catalan Modernism visiting it felt like stepping into a living work of art. Architecturally, it’s simply spellbinding: stained glass walls, sweeping mosaics, florid columns, and that glowing, inverted glass dome make the concert hall feel divine. I took the 50 minute audio guided tour and was entranced by every detail from the balconies to the exquisite staircase without feeling overwhelmed. The acoustics are astonishing; even a brief piano excerpt resonated and made me feel each note. That said, the tour price feels a bit steep unless you’re deeply into architecture or music. Personally, pairing the visit with a performance elevated the experience into something unforgettable. So yes, it’s worth it for the sheer artistry, history, and the magic of the place standing in harmony with live music.

In a city full of great buildings this one is stunning! Did the guided tour & the young lady shared her knowledge in an engaging & informative manner. A short film providing the history was a great preview to the palau that we would then walk through. Loved the inclusion of the organ playing. Great pics too. So worth a visit.

What a stunning building with a fascinating history. We took a guided tour to appreciate its beauty—highly recommended! If you have more time, attending a concert or show there would be a wonderful experience.

This place is absolutely stunning -- the architecture, the colors, the detail... just wow. Definitely one of the most beautiful buildings I saw in Barcelona. I was a little disappointed that during the night performance, the patio area with the famous mosaic columns was completely closed off. It's one of the highlights of the building, and I was really hoping to see it lit up at night. Apparently, it's only open during day tours, which is kind of a bummer if you're only going for a show. Also, heads up -- the main photo you see everywhere is taken from the upstairs balcony seats, so if that's the view you want, book accordingly.

There are two concert rooms, one is the older opera house with perfect acoustics, and adjacent is a newer smaller concert hall also with excellent acoustics. Instead of the tour, get tickets and see a performance. We've seen an opera and a chamber performance, which were both well worth the relatively low prices (for the quality of music). The opera house part is truly stunning, I was speechless on entry, get there early so you can gaze and admire. We splurged and sat in a box, and that's some of the best Euros ever spent. Inside and out, this architectural gem is a can't miss highlight of Barcelona. Lots of places to eat around here that unlike most of Spain, can get you out on time for the show.

One of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. My boyfriend and I bought tickets with the audio guide and we both enjoyed it and thought it was comprehensive. There was a group practicing or doing a sound check and it was super cool to hear the acoustics. This is definitely worth a visit!

It is the most beautiful theater in Barcelona. We saw a fantastic flamingo show, and the handful of musicians were so talented and fabulous, with the wit and humor they added along the way. We had a wonderful time and would return when we had the chance.

One of the most emblematic works of Catalan modernism right in the heart of Barcelona. Concerts, guided tours, and much more. Come and experience the Palau! The service staff is very friendly and they do have a cute cafe on the main grounds. The food is just what you need to get a quick snack or lunch.

It's a little bit off the main walkway through the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gottic), but well worth the detour! The architect was Gaudi's teacher. What a beautiful building inside and out, perfectly built for beauty and acoustics. They offer tours inside but get there earlier in the day. I think the last tour is at 3. On the guided tour, they have a program to play the massive organ on stage. The stained glass, sculpt , and mosaics are spectacular. And they offer concerts every night. We just went in to see the building as we are not out late. But I'm sure those are worth it, too if you're staying close by. Just go!

100+ year old Catalan music hall that is definitely worth the visit when in Barcelona. It is very close to the Plaça de Catalunya, so it is an easy walk. We were told d to buy tickets in advance, but we were walking by and checked, and had no problems getting right in...even on a Friday around 11am. This concert hall is beautiful. Very much the Modernista style that Barcelona is known for. We did the self guided audio tour, which is about 50 minutes, but we wondered about longer, and stopped at the bar for a couple glasses of cava to enjoy here. We were lucky enough that a concert was planned for later in the evening, so they were doing a sound check of sorts, and got an example of the amazing acoustics.

We purchased timed tickets on line, entered the grand lobby to wait for our hour long English tour. The ornate theater is on the gothic neighborhood so the performers could live nearby. Marco gave us ear pieces, showed a film & whisked us through the air conditioned rooms. We started in the auditorium hearing about the history of the hall. The music hall opened in 1908 & prestigious musicians perform here over 300 times annually. Initially, the hall cost 6,000 euros to build. There are three verses on the ceiling . The stained glass ceiling glow worm allows natural light to fill the hall with incredible lighting & acoustics. The surrounding sculptures were hand created, each is diverse. There were 18 sculptures of musicians on the stage. We went on the tiled stained hlsss terrace over the street. All music is performed here except opera, as the stage is too small. This is a must see in Barcelona!

It may be cheaper online to buy tickets but we just bought it at the door. Either way, it'll cost you less than 20 euros to enter. It's small but you can see a lot of details and a variation of colors. Not very crowded. This was the second place we went to after arriving in Barcelona. Plan to spend an hour or less depending on how fast you walk through it and take pictures

It was music to my ears. Instead of a tour, I opted to attend a concert instead. This music hall has an old world ambiance with wood paneling, stained glass windows and ornate tile. The orchestra, singers and conductor delivered an excellent concert and received a standing ovation. Overall, it was a beautiful place to enjoy a relaxing evening.

I was walking around the city and I ran into this building...I really did not know much about it, so I decided to look at my guide book and I found out it was the Palace of Music. Adorned with Art Nouveau floral patterns and fruit motifs, the Palace of Catalan music provides a marvelous setting for musical performances. I was mesmerized by the ornate building and the colorful combination of colors that makes this building unique. The concert hall, which seats about 2,200 people, is the only auditorium in Europe illuminated during daylight hours entirely by natural light. Based on the guide book, you can find eye-catching artworks covering every square inch of the Concert Auditorium's walls and ceiling. The ceiling features an enormous skylight of stained glass whose centerpiece is an inverted dome in shades of gold surrounded by blue that suggests the sun and the sky. I only saw the building from the outside, still it was just a wonderful piece of architecture.

This concert hall is small but is absolutely stunning once you get in. I could've sat there all day staring at the ceiling and all the ornate finishes. The organ plays every 30 minutes and is definitely worth waiting for a listen if you are there. Be sure to check the 2nd floor for even better views and to take it all in. Also note, it is not stroller-friendly, so you have to leave your stroller and carry your little one though they have plenty of room to walk and run.

The interiors are stunning. The tear dropped dome stained glass chandelier is as beautiful as the pictures Everything plays homage to creativity and beauty. The valkerie column soaring into the stage with the muses overlooking in the backdrop. I stumbled on a youth performance competition tickets, which was a few more euros than the self-guided tour. Check out their calendar if anything strikes your fancy. The acoustics are wonderful and the auditorium is large but small enough to still feel intimate.

We were able to see a flamenco performance in Palau de la Musica Catalan. So much color and texture in this beautiful concert hall, I feel we need to go back and take a tour of the building itself next time.

This music venue is gorgeous and worth the visit, even though there is no lack of beautiful architecture to consider in Barcelona. There isn't a lot to see, but the spectacular concert hall is worth the price of admission. I'd recommend a guided tour and not the self-guided audio tour. We couldn't get it to work properly. Even after connecting to the provided wi-fi, the audio was choppy and it sometimes wouldn't run until after we'd left a room. (But if you do the self-guided audio tour, note that you'll use your phone and must provide your own earbuds or earphones.) After you tour the facility, head downstairs and enjoy a drink or snack in the lovely restaurant and courtyard.

The Palau de la Música Catalana is one of the most stunnning venues I have ever been to. From the outside it looks super hip and beautiful, but once you're inside your transported to such classic elegance that it practically takes your breath away. I saw a performance that featured the music of Ludovico Einaudi and it will forever be one of my favorite concerts. Every seat is a good one and the seats in the first balcony are a tight squeeze, so prepared to get cozy with your neighbor. The sound is incredible and the ceiling!!! The ceiling was mesmerizing and I must have taken 23948 photos of it. I want to come back and a take a tour of the venue, which they offer many different types of. This venue is a MUST when in Barcelona!!

Only stopped in to enjoy a complimentary small breakfast that came with my morning tour. My guide explained the history of this beautiful concert hall. Unfortunately, I didn't book any concert during my stay but there's always a next time. The dining hall where my tour group dined was spacious and lovely to linger in. The stained glass is beautiful and there is wonderful designs to stare at. We had breakfast sandwiches and a beverage of choice. I chose the latte which was delicious.

Beautiful theater in Barcelona. Didn't know there's a tour, booked a tour right then there, got to see this beautiful place. There are so many beautiful architectures in Barcelona, this one is one of them. You buy tickets, wait for your time, then follow the instruction. There is a cafe you can wait for your turn at the lobby section and out side. Beautiful place.

I think this is my favorite must see in Barcelona. A truly amazing and magical place. I admire the dedication and thoughts going into building this place back in the early 1900s, and also their hard work in persevering the place today. Guided tours are available in different languages throughout the day. I think English tours are available in almost every hour. The tour was very informative, and the guide was wonderful. Being a girly girl and love everything in pastel colors and decorated with flowers, I was in heaven!! The only complaint I have, is that I could not stay longer after the tour ended. Everyone had to leave with your group because the next group was coming in. I understand why they do this, but I was really wanting to hind in a corner and not leave!

Your coming to Barelcona for Gaudi aren't you? Well don't miss this absolutely stunning gem from Lluís Domènech i Montaner!!! I knew I wanted to tour the music center, I had to see it in person and while I wasn't here for a performance having the chance to admire its beauty was really what I wanted the opportunity to do. Breathtaking! When I returned home and shared the pictures with my son, he told me "you love going to these types of places" and it's true, I do. I took him to the Paris Opera house last year and I was blown away and where this is definitely different it's no less beautiful. I love the mosaic work and stained glass. I love how flowers are incorporated everywhere because I love flowers! This was really one of the highlights of my time in Barcelona. If you love live performances and music you will not want to miss this tour, I think that's what made it so special. I'm no musician by any stretch of the imagination but I grew up with a music family and love music and theatre, its ingrained in my soul. Palau de la Música Catalana is a real treat. Not to be missed!

An amazing Beaux Arts concert call in the old city in Barcelona. At the last minute we decided instead of a day tour, to take in a concert and our hotel was able to score us seats on the aisle in the third row for a special tribute concert to Flamenco guitar. The venue feels intimate and is crowned with a fantastic art nouveau ceiling that create a feeling of elegance. All around the concert hall are brilliant colors and images taking you back to the 1920's gilded age. Acoustics were pretty good and the seats comfortable. If you get the chance, this is definitely worth trying to work into your holiday. They also offer guided tours during the day and we were told it is a good idea to book ahead.

Possibly my favorite stop on this trip. Do the tour! It's about one hour and you get to see the main hall with its beautiful stained glass everything and motifs. I was so inspired that I bought tickets for a evening flamenco show. Pro-tip: if you buy tickets for a show, you get $10 off of the tour (reg $20). I didn't know till after the fact. But the tour was well worth the $20. Another pro-tip: the main hall looks very different in the day time than at night. It is NOT backlit by any lighting system other than natural sunlight. So it is better viewed during daytime.

One of the reasons why I love Barcelona was because the city had so many photo-ops. As many a guidebook will tell you its visual appeal is strongly associated with modernisme - an art movement with defining characteristics: - preference of curved lines - organic/botanical motifs - dynamic shapes - disregard for symmetry Most of Barcelona's top sights are buildings with their architects designing them in the modernista style. While Gaudí gets the lion's share, his recognition happened posthumously. In Gaudí's time the most famous architect was Lluís Domènech i Montaner and his most notable contribution to architecture (aside from teaching) is the Palau de la Música Catalana. The Palau is a concert hall originally commissioned for the choral society Orfeó Català but plenty of guest artists and composers make up the yearlong evening program. Most people experience the Palau in one of two different ways. Being a working concert hall you can certainly go to a performance. BUT if you want to see the Palau for its modernista architecture your best bet is to purchase admission for a guided tour or without guide (~8am to ~10am). LOGISTICS: Cost: €20 (€16 if paying more than 21 days in advance). €2 fee if you buy online. Advance reservation highly recommended, especially if you go during peak season. Length: 55 minutes. Languages: English, Spanish, Catalan, Italian, French. Places visited during tour - Rehearsal Hall of the Orfeó Catala: The tour begins here. You view a video that gives you a high-level overview of the concert hall. You can see the foundation stone down below. Conferences are hosted in this space, and to this day the Orfeó Catala still rehearses here. - Lluís Millet Hall: A tribute to nature, there are columns symbolizing flowers of every kind. - Concert Hall: The star of the tour. It is both a treat for the eyes and ears as you will also get to hear the organ and experience the acoustics for yourself. Most prominent features are the stained glass roof that resembles the sun and sky (looks like a drooping nipple) and the busts of the muses in the back of the of the stage depicting a musical instrument and its country of origin. Note the floral motif that dominates the walls and ceilings. Photography is highly encouraged; the docents give you ample time to take your photos as there are plenty of photo-ops throughout the tour, especially inside the concert hall. In Barcelona where one can be overwhelmed by Gaudí's work the Palau provides a refreshing alternative viewpoint on modernisme. While still over-the-top in some regards compared to Gaudí's work the elements are more subdued and less religious in nature. Along with Park Güell and Sagrada Família the Palau is a top-rated sight in Barcelona for the photo-ops it provides.

Awesome building to see even if you are not planning to watch a show. The detail on the corner sculpture of the building is amazing. The pillars have nice floral decor. I loved that old ticket box was actually built into one of the pillars at the entrance. It was not busy when I came but if you show up during show time I bet it will be very lively.

Booked tickets just 30 mins before online for an afternoon walking guided tour at 3:30pm. So glad we fit this in. The tour was interesting and the music hall is gorgeous. We got some amazing pictures.

"Opera Flamenco" is astounding exhibiting of flashing heels, courageous dancing, an emotional voyage of percussion mixed with Northern African melodies, beautifully choreographed physical storytelling in absolutely magnificent setting. Most Flamenco takes place in bars; this was a uplifting and astounding presentation highlighting the very highest aspirations of interpretative Spanish dance.

This was one of our favorite sites to visit and view while in Barcelona. It is an ornate and beautiful building, chock full of artistic and architectural details, both on the outside and the inside. It is free to walk in to the main entrance and look around, and just the view throughout the first floor is spectacular, and worth seeking out, along with the exterior. To see the music hall itself, you must either take a paid tour or buy tickets to a concert here, and it is well worth seeing the interior, especially the stained glass and tiled ceiling. The entire structure is bathed with so many details, it can be difficult to take them all in. We attended a concert, so decided against also doing the guided tour. However, tours always add something, and I wonder if it would have helped me get even more out of my visit, and help me possibly see more themes or patterns in the artwork. If nothing else, be sure to walk by and view the gorgeous exterior, as well as the eclectic neighborhood surrounding this glorious building.

One of the more disappointing experiences during my Barcelona vacation. The architecture certainly lived up to the hype. The building is gorgeous, especially the famous stained glass ceiling. I made the mistake of getting there right as the show started. Make sure you arrive early so you can admire the building for a bit before the show starts. With that said, there's lots of beautiful buildings to be seen in Barcelona. While Palau was beautiful, I wouldn't rank it as the most beautiful or an absolute must-see for architectural purposes. A lot of the cathedrals have similarly beautiful stained glass and are cheap or free to visit. The flamenco show I saw was great, with very talented dancers and good singing. While the people in the show were very talented, this beautiful building was ironically inadequate for concert purposes. There were numerous acoustic issues with microphones cutting in and out. Further, unless you want to break the bank or sneak into a nicer empty seat (I recommend the latter), the railing will block your view and you won't be able to see over half the stage, or even any of it from some seats. I've heard of obstructed view seats, but this was ridiculous. Everyone sitting near me was also a tourist, so I get the feeling there are far better music venues in town. I encourage you to do your research.

One of my favourite concert halls. It was recently redone on the artists side with a clear glass floor that is amazing to stand on looking downwards. The auditorium is Rococo in design with carvings of musical figures, ie St. Cecilia. Good acoustics but small stage. Better for a chamber orchestra but you can stuff in a symphony orchestra....just! And just around the corner, a little hole in the wall serving amazing Priorato straight from the barrel. Can make for a rather dodgy 2nd half, musically speaking. Hic, burp!

If you like wild architecture, make a point to see the routinely overlooked Catalan Concert Hall (Palau de la Música Catalana) while you're in Barcelona. This concert hall, finished in 1908, features the best Modernista interior in town (by Lluís Domènech i Muntaner) and a fun and playful exterior. Inviting arches lead you into the 2,000-seat hall. A kaleidoscopic skylight features a choir singing around the sun, while playful carvings and mosaics celebrate music and Catalan culture. Admission is by tour only and English is available (reserved in advance). It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Intricate and colorful Catalan carvings inside and outside of the palace that preserves wonderful Spanish music! There are tour times to see the beautiful interior place and symphonies! There is a gift shop and cafe to leisurely lounge at!

I was here for the flamenco show. The show was great although less close up than others but the performers are top notch. The venue is nothing short of amazing! The stain glass mosaic in the center of the ceiling is incredible.

The guided tour is 18 euro for general entry and 11 euro for student entry. They take international student IDs and have multiple language tours everyday including English. The tour itself starts out with them leading you to a room that is underneath the concert stage. You will watch a short movie and then the tour guide will lead you above to the actual stage and then eventually lead you to the top to see the balcony, as well as finally the top audience stage seats. Photos are allowed as long as flash is off. The tour guides' English is very good. Although there is an accent. The structure and architecture of the concert hall is superb and worth seeing if you are a music lover. The entire tour runs exactly one hour long.

I attended the show of the Guitar Trio with dancers. IT WAS FANTASTIC. The musicians were excellent. The dancers were great. The evening was light and joyful. I spent 6 nights in Barcelona. One night doing this was thoroughly enjoyable to relax and listen to beautiful guitar music played by 3 masters. After the show, they do a meet and greet by the doors. I bought the 3 pack CD and they all autographed it for me. Worth the $49 EUROs. Thoroughly enjoyed the show.

Ummmm speechless...the architect is ahhhhhmazing, GOTHIC...beautiful...Spain was definitely full of talented artists in the 1920s...absolutely worth coming here.

Stopped by the first floor loby for drinks/tapas on a walking tapas tour of Barcelona at a small free standing area (like something in a US mall) with lobby seating. Good wine. Nice tapas Recommended Slanche!

"The Palace of Catalan Music". This is a historic concert hall built around 1905. The place is a must see for the architectural beauty and history. The chairs are a bit old but not uncomfortable I suspect they are trying to conserve it's looks. They had us turn our phones off for the show and did not allow photos. I suspect they want you to enjoy the show and not bother other patrons. The performance was a beautiful, Flamenco show with male and female dancers with a trio of guitarist. The place was packed but I was able to buy a ticket at the counter last minute with a great seating. I think I got lucky. Don't ask why but row 6 was really row 4 and the seats are not well marked. Arrive early or stay late for photos of the venue.

This is one of Lluís Domènech i Montaner's masterpieces, the other one being the Hospital of Sant Pau. His architecture style differs with Gaudi and is more subdued and conventional, but it deserves equal praise and respect. In fact, during their time, Montaner was more popular than Gaudi was for his works. The amount of detail and intricacies of his design and the explanations behind them will make you appreciate the Palace of Catalan Music. The guided tour was very insightful and the tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. Picture-taking is not allowed inside so unfortunately, you won't see a lot of photos of the interior to decide if you want to pay the fee for the tour. You absolutely MUST take the tour - take my (and all the other reviewers' words) for it! I wish I knew how wonderful this place was before I actually toured it so I could have booked one of the concerts here in advance of our trip. If you love classical music, maybe you should book a concert too ;)

Someone please relieve the old bitter lady at the desk from duty so that she can go regulate her attitude. You may have been asked the same question over and over, but that is YOUR JOB! Answer the inquiries, sell tickets and move on with life. Ten strangers, including myself, left without any wish to return because she was horrible. People want to see stained glass and go live the rest of their lives.

Beautiful exterior. Beautiful interior. You should definitely visit. We did not pay €36 for a guided tour (your only choice) for two. Just too expensive.

Getting immersed in the Spanish culture, we knew a Flamenco performance was in order so we planned a nice mash-up, Flamenco-Opera at Palau de la Musica The inside of the hall is very ornately decorated & there is an entrance hall, grand staircases on either side to lead you up to the intimate concert venue. Be forewarned that they do not let people up until very close to the performance's starting time & it is a total cluster*** at the entrance, with people pushing & rushing to get their tickets scanned Seats were a bit on the hard side & I cannot imagine seeing an extended opera without some discomfort but for a 75 min performance, we were okay Sound was adequate; not too loud, not too soft I cannot comment on sightlines as we were first row Mezzanine but did not notice people straining around to see The performance itself was a nice operatic story of a love triangle, a dance-off & of course at the end, in true operatic fashion, the main character dies

We skipped the pricey Guided Tour and instead booked a classical music concert, paying only 17 euros for "nosebleed" seats. Arriving early, we were able to view all of the levels before the show started. Acoustics were amazing, as no amplification is needed. Seats were quite small, as they were made 100 years ago when people in Spain rarely got taller than 5'6". Fortunately, we were able to switch seats at intermission, moving to a block of unsold seats that were on same level, but nearer to the stage.

Stunning. Probably the most beautiful room I've ever seen a concert. I couldn't take my eyes off of the amazing artwork and interior. The only reason for 4 stars is because the room was way too hot. Seemed like no air conditioning or air flow. Uncomfortable even for an evening event in the Fall. The acoustics were good but thought they would be better. We saw better Flamenco at Los Gallos in Seville. Worth going to just for its beauty alone.

If you don't have time for a concert at least take a tour of this incredible building. It was an engineering marvel in its day and will still take your breath away.

i joined a tour that they have. I didn't know I had to join the tour to look inside the music theatre ,and to join the tour, I had to make a reservation, so I had to burn more than one hour to join the next available tour. The tour guide was really kind,and when i gave her some questions, she answered me very specifically. Id like to go back there to see a good music concert.

A must-see in Barcelona! I did a daytime tour and also saw a string quartet another evening. Very different experiences and both stunning! The tour gives opportunity to learn the history and see all the stained glass lit up from sunlight, and experiencing the music at night was magical. I don't even listen to classical music, but something about being in the Palau and listening to such powerful music is breathtaking.

I did not book a tour but did observe the beauty of this theater at a Flamenco Show. Beautiful setting, lots of detail. Fancy, indeed. Great time to get dome nice photos with family. Only wish I had arrived even earlier to visit the shop inside as it closed by time the show ended.

An absolute Gem - so incredibly pretty. Gorgeous building inside and out. One of the must-sees in Barcelona - the guided tour is full of wonderful history of the Palau and of Barcelona and Catalunya.

This place was stunning! We were in Barcelona for a week and were lucky enough to catch a performance here. There isn't really a bad seat in the venue - which is what I was somewhat worried about from trying to buy online and had never been. The only thing I might warn about are the side somewhat loge seating- we were a bit squished and made friends pretty quickly being so close. The sound carried wonderfully for the three guitarists and flamenco dancers.