Antoni Gaudí and his eclectic imagination gave Catalonia some of the most striking Art Noveau and Modernism inspired monuments and buildings. Locally known as Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that reflects Gaudí’s unmatched style and aesthetic. Before getting a makeover by the veteran architect in the year 1904, the erstwhile home of the Batlló family had a short-lived history as an unassuming classical building that was home to Lluis Sala Sánchez.
The house, originally built in 1875, changed hands in the year 1900 when Josep Batlló I Casanovas, a well-known textile industrialist, bought the property because of its centralised location in Passeig de Gracia which was a prestigious address to have in 20th century Barcelona. After their marriage, Batlló and his wife, Amalia Godo Belaunzaran, commissioned Gaudí to give their new home his signature touch by converting it into a landmark building.
Know Before You Go
Things to know
Number of visitors per year: 1 million
UNESCO World Heritage Site designation: 2005
Established: 1912
Architect: Antoni Gaudi
Architectural style: Modernisme, Modern architecture, Expressionist architecture
Opening Hours And Address
Daily 9 AM to 8 PM
Last Entry at 7 PM
Address : Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
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Casa Batlló Recommended Tickets
- General Tickets start at €35 for adults.
- Early Access start at €45 for adults.
- Discounted and reduced fares are available for some groups of people, so make sure to check on official website of Casa Batlló before you plan your visit!
You can also get City Passes. These give you access to some of the most iconic landmarks in Barcelona. Among the many benefits of this card, is the skip the line access into most monuments and museums. For example, the iVenture Barcelona Flexi Pass is a cashless city pass that can be booked a day in advance and has a validity of seven days from the date of purchase, and will also let you get fast track entry into Casa Batlló.
Best Time to Visit Casa Batlló
Barcelona attracts tourists in large numbers all year round throughout the year. If you want to avoid the crowds, plan a visit during the months of January and February, when it’s colder and less crowded. But if you happen to be in the city during the peak tourist season, visit Casa Batlló early in the morning, in the afternoon (during siesta time) or late at night to easily navigate the building and marvel at its beauty.
Learn more about the best time to visit Casa Batlló and the city itself, with our guide to the Best Time to Visit Barcelona.
Why Visit Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a must-visit attraction in Barcelona, owing to its unique design and the history it represents. The building itself is a marvel, because being an equilibrated structure it can stand without any internal bracing or external reinforcement. The trencadís decorated exterior and skull-shaped balconies are just an introduction to the surprising interior of Casa Batlló. The underwater theme of the house, which is consistent with Gaudí’s connection to nature, lends the house a surreal quality. With no straight line or angle in sight, the spell-binding fluidity of the house is apparent in the ripples on the ceiling, windows, and tiled walls that make the house feel like sea.
The house, flooded in natural light, comes together as a combination of circles, waves, and spirals. You can roam the Noble floor to get a sense of the magnificent celebrations that were hosted under the whirlpool of this hall’s ceiling. As you glide up the four stairs of the house, notice the wavy windows and elaborate chandeliers that lead up to the blue-green tiled terrace decorated with chimneys you will only see at Casa Batlló.
The centrepiece of Barcelona’s architectural landscape, Casa Batlló, with its intriguing interior and attractive façade, offers a glimpse into the life of the Batlló family who occupied the mezzanine part of the house. The nature-inspired exterior, complete with ivory coloured balconies and colourful glass shards, is a sight to behold. Inside, every element of the house — from the magnificent oak staircase to the light-filled central courtyard, helps form a detailed picture of art in the time of Antoni Gaudí. The rooftop, designed like a dragon’s scales, boasts of curved chimneys that are unique to Casa Batlló.
What Not to Miss at Casa Batlló
- Entrance Hallway and the Central Staircase: As you step into the house, you will find yourself immersed in a house inspired from the marine life. The entrance hallway is an interesting mix of horizontal and vertical lines that emerge at the ceiling in curves that are telling of Casa Batlló’s unique architecture. As you walk further, the next thing that will leave you wide-eyed is the sweeping central staircase that leads up to Planta Noble, the level of the house that was once occupied by the Batlló family.
- The Noble Hall and the Courtyard: Planta Noble or The Noble Hall makes up the main floor of the house. The dining room is decorated in wood and glass and the triple arcade lends it an unparalleled grandeur. The Batlló family hosted celebrations and grand dinners in the Noble Hall that has huge windows that open out to a view of the Paseo de Gracia. The 20th Century fireplace you will find here is reminiscent of the time it was built in. As you walk along the corridor beside the Noble Hall, you can peep inside some of the many rooms at Casa Batlló.
- The Attic: Built to be a storage area for the entire house, walking into the Attic is an experience like no other. The catenary arch that dominates the vault of the main room progresses as a series of arches and will remind you of a large animal’s ribcage. The room has bone-coloured plastering and is illuminated by the German Ingo Maurer. The balconies in the Attic are also great spots for having your photo clicked with the house’s façade as a background.
- Pattio De Luces: One of the most enchanting parts of the house is Pattio De Luces which you will reach as you walk up the stairs from Planta Noble. The communal stairwell is a culmination of ceramic tiles in shades of blue that come together to create an optical illusion. The effect becomes more magical with the light filtering from the stained windows at the top of the stairwell. As you ascend the stairs, don’t be surprised if you feel that you are at the bottom of the sea!
- Terrace and Chimneys: The terrace of the house depicts scales of a dragon and progresses from orange to blue to green and the surprising beauty of the terrace is the highlight of Casa Batlló. The dragon terrace overlooks Barcelona and is the perfect place to take in the beauty of the ancient city. The four sets of chimneys that frame the terrace are among the most photographed parts of the house, and not for no reason. The chimneys too are decorated with the trencadis mosaic technique give Casa Batlló an added dose of personality.
Top 12 Wonders of Gaudi You Cannot Miss!
Where to Buy Casa Batlló Tickets
- This seemingly simple step is what has the largest impact on your waiting time at Casa Batlló. Buying tickets online ensures that you avoid having to wait in the long ticket queues outside the museum. With your online tickets in hand, you can avoid the line of ticket buyers, and head straight into the museum.
- Tickets can be purchased online, on the official website of Casa Batlló
- You can also purchase tickets on the Headout site, that include a timed entry with the Casa Batlló Timed Entry Ticket package.
Getting There
- Subway: Passeig de Gràcia: L2, L3 and L4
- Train: RENFE- Passeig de Gràcia station or FGC- Provença station
- Bus: H10, V15, 7, 22, and 24
Casa Batlló is located on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona. You have the following public transport options available to get to the museum:
Restaurants Near Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló Facts
- Casa Batlló is one of Antoni Gaudí's most famous works and a major landmark in Barcelona.
- The building was originally a residential property owned by the wealthy industrialist Josep Batlló, who commissioned Gaudí to design an extension that would improve the facade and overall aesthetics of the home.
- The facade of Casa Batlló is covered in intricate tile work and mosaics, many of which depict themes from nature. In particular, the roof features a large dragon-like creature with horns and scales that has become one of the most recognizable features of the building.
- Inside the house, visitors can explore a range of unique rooms and spaces that showcase Gaudí's innovative use of materials, colors, and forms.
- Despite its popularity as a tourist destination, Casa Batlló remains an operating home to the Batlló family and has been carefully preserved over the years.
- In addition to being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Casa Batlló has been designated as one of the Seven Wonders of Catalan Art.
- Every year on May 24th, the building is illuminated in red and yellow lights to commemorate Saint John's Day, which is a public holiday in Catalonia.
- In 2014, Casa Batlló underwent a multi-million euro renovation project that aimed to restore some of the original features of the building while also making it more accessible to visitors.
Casa Batlló Insider Tips
- It’s a good idea to buy your tickets online and in advance to enjoy hassle-free entry to the building
- Don’t forget to look at the elevator inside the building- it dates back to the modernism era
- You can use the free WiFi at Casa Batlló to share your photos and videos with the world!
- If you want to avoid the crowd, visit the monument early in the morning or in the afternoon on a weekday
- You can tour the whole building in an hour but if you want to stay on till the closing time (9 PM) to admire Gaudí’s work
- If you find the building crowded, start your tour from the terrace and after spending some time posing with the chimneys, start making your way down
- Casa Batlló at night can be even more magical, and you can be a witness to its beauty by going for an evening concert and become part of ‘Magical Nights’
- If possible, visit Casa Batlló on a sunny day to witness the play of light on the colourful tiles that decorate the terrace and the façade of the house
Things to Do Nearby
Located a kilometer away from Casa Batlló is Gaudi's other masterpiece, Casa Vicens. Visitors can tour the inside of the house, which has been restored to its original condition, and learn about the life of Gaudí. The roof terrace offers stunning views of the city, and the building is at par in excellence and uniqueness with Casa Batlló.
Not too far away from Casa Vicens is Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, another famous building designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Spain. Construction of Casa Mila began in 1906 and was completed in 1910. The building is made of stone, brick, iron, and glass, and is one of the most notable examples of Catalan modernism. Casa Mila has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casa de les Punxes was designed by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and completed in 1905. It is one of the most notable examples of Catalan modernism. The building is inspired by the architecture of the Middle Ages, and is decorated with numerous spires and pinnacles. It has been likened to a castle or fortress, and has been given the nickname "The House of Spikes". It is open to the public as a museum.
Sagrada Familia is a masterpiece of architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí. It is one of the most unique and recognizable buildings in the world. The church is still under construction and is not expected to be completed until 2026. Sagrada Familia is a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona.
Plaça de Catalunya is Barcelona's most central square - it is where the old city meets the modern city. This is a bustling, vibrant area that is always bustling with activity. From tourists exploring the shops and restaurants to locals going about their daily lives, there is always something happening here. There is also a large fountain in the center of the square which is popular with both locals and visitors alike.
Casa Batlló Reviews
Great example of his break through architecture since the entire house has no straight lines and an excellent glimpse into how the rich lived. The entire 5 floors are designed like an ocean with lovely blues, windows that allow the light to enter the house with unique ventilation and walks painted like fish scales. The entire house is amazing, one of his finest works.
A must see. The walls are like waves and decoration is like turtle shells. Amazing but lots of stairs but you go up fairly gradually and can stop to look up and down. The audio tour told you everything and virtual reality as well with your phone so the house comes to life. Amazing architecture and vision for its time.
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