Stroll down Passeig de Gràcia, and you’ll struggle to miss Casa Batlló. The extraordinary building sits proudly on the corner of Carrer d'Aragó, and it’s one of many remarkable structures in Barcelona designed by architect legend Antoni Gaudí.
Getting to Casa Batlló
As we’ve already mentioned, Casa Batlló is situated on Passeig de Gràcia. This is one of the central boulevards in Barcelona and once connected the medieval city centre to the neighbouring town of Gràcia, now a trendy suburb.
If you’re staying in the heart of Barcelona, such as in the Gothic Quarter or El Born, you could stroll through its pretty streets to reach Casa Batlló. Short on time? Using the city’s excellent TMB public transport system is a good alternative.
Getting to Casa Batlló is most accessible by metro as you’ll find a station just a few doors down. If you’re travelling by metro from the Gothic Quarter, hop on line 3 (green) trains from Liceu station on La Rambla. You could also take line 4 (yellow) metros from Jaime I and get off at Passeig de Gràcia station.
Journeys take about 5 minutes, with trains running regularly. You can purchase tickets at the station, online or via the TMB app. Tickets are valid on all TMB services, so you can chop and change between the bus, metro, and trams throughout your stay.
Travel cost varies depending on how many journeys you plan to make. A single ticket costs €2.40, while a T-Casual ten trip travel card is €11.35. The metro runs between the following hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 05:00 until midnight
- Friday: 05:00 to 02:00
- Saturday: 05:00 until Sunday
- Sunday: 00:00 to midnight
What is Casa Batlló?
Casa Batlló is one of the many structures that make up Passeig de Gràcia. While the other buildings along the street have stunning yet standard Art Nouveau styles, Casa Batlló really stands out.
That’s all down to Antoni Gaudí redesigning the building in 1904. He stamped it with fantastic features like colourful mosaics, organic shapes, and distinctive oval windows. A trip to admire Casa Batlló’s beautiful exteriors and incredible interiors is essential on any Barcelona travel itinerary.
Why is Casa Batlló so famous?
The building is mainly famous for being one of Gaudí’s most iconic works. It was also really unusual at the time it was created. The design is incredibly detailed, containing many symbols and several examples of distinct architectural styles.
Casa Batlló is often referred to as Casa dels Ossos, or House of Bones. This reflects its unique design, which has often been compared to an animal skeleton.
Who built Casa Batlló?
As we’ve already mentioned, Casa Batlló is one of the numerous beautiful works designed by Antoni Gaudí. The architect lived in Barcelona for most of his life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was known as the main force behind the Catalan Modernism movement.
Casa Batlló, Gaudí’s much-loved masterpiece, was designed, not constructed by the architect. In fact, the original building dates back several decades earlier. It was initially very classical in its appearance and designed by a man named Emilio Sala Cortés.
In 1903, the building was bought by Josep Batlló, who commissioned Gaudí to redesign it between 1904 and 1906. He wanted it to be the most attractive building on the street – and it certainly was, and still is!
Where is Casa Batlló?
Casa Batlló can be found at number 43, Passeig de Gràcia in Eixample. The street is one of the main thoroughfares of Barcelona, running more than a kilometre from Plaça de Catalunya to Jardins de Salvador Espriu on the southern edge of the Gràcia district.
Passeig de Gràcia is littered with high-street and designer stores and numerous restaurants and bars. It’s the location of two of Gaudí’s major architectural triumphs. The other is Casa Milà that’s found further up the boulevard, near the Diagonal metro station.
The history of Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló might be best associated with Antoni Gaudí, but it had a story before the prestigious architect came on the scene. It’s also been owned by several different people since the Batlló family first commissioned him to transform it into the work of art we know and love today.
Want to know more? Here’s a potted history of one of Barcelona’s most photographed buildings:
- 1877: The original building was designed and constructed by Emilio Sala Cortés, an architecture professor who also taught Gaudí his trade at Barcelona Higher School of Architecture
- 1903: The beautiful, classical building was bought by Josep Batlló, a wealthy industrialist, factory owner and businessman. He was keen to rebuild it and create the most unique structure on Passeig de Gràcia
- 1904: Josep Batlló commissions Antoni Gaudí to remodel his new home. Initially, he wanted to demolish the entire building, but Gaudí convinced him to just refurbish the interiors, patio, and façade
- 1906: Work on Casa Batlló is finished
- 1934: Josep Batlló dies, and the house is lived in by his wife until 1940, before being passed to their children, who eventually sell it in 1954
- 1954: Casa Batlló is bought by Seguros Iberia, an insurance company. They refurbished the inside in 1970 and restored its balconies in 1983
- 1993: The building changes hands to the current owners, the Bernat family, and is again refurbished
- 1995: Casa Batlló is available for the public to hire for events
- 2005: The building earns UNESCO World Heritage recognition and is open for tours and visits
Fun facts about Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló has its fair share of fascinating facts like any historic building! Impress your friends and family with your knowledge about this iconic Barcelona attraction.
The building was nearly knocked down
When Josep Batlló first selected Gaudí to redesign his family home, he had planned to knock the entire building down to its foundations and start again. Nevertheless, Gaudí convinced him that his design could be achieved simply by refurbishing the façade and the interiors.
Light is a big theme of Casa Batlló’s design
Stroll around the inside of Casa Batlló, and you’ll be greeted by stunning, light-filled rooms. Gaudí’s design incorporated numerous skylights, plus many tricks which make the building seem more illuminated. This includes using clever colour graduations in the paintwork and tiling.
Lots of parts in Casa Batlló are recycled
One of the main features of Gaudí’s design at Casa Batlló is a mosaic technique that uses broken bits of glass and tiles to create colourful decorative wall features. Gaudí was often thought to be ahead of his time, preferring to use sustainable methods and materials where possible in his creations.
What’s inside Casa Batlló?
Once you step through its doors, you’ll realise Casa Batlló is equally as beautiful inside! The façade is the most-photographed element of the building, but the true magic is seen in its various interior spaces. Purchase tickets and prepare to be wowed.
The entrance hall
Entrance halls give a first impression, and Casa Batlló’s is excellent! The space is the first thing you’ll see when you step inside. Initially, the entire building shared the hallway, and it led up to the private entrance once used by the Batlló family.
The décor primarily takes inspiration from the sea. Keep your eyes peeled for the turtle shell-shaped skylights and other marine motifs. The main feature of the hall is the enormous wooden staircase, which includes an exquisitely carved rail designed to look like an animal’s spine.
The Noble Floor and museum
The Noble Floor is the main floor of Casa Batlló and where Josep Batlló lived until he passed away in 1934. At over 700 square metres, it’s an impressive area with a distinct style. The space was officially opened as a museum in 2005 and is the main focus of tours and visits.
The Noble Floor boasts many great examples of Modernist architecture. Take your time strolling around the rooms, taking note of the mushroom-shaped fireplace in the study and the massive window in the living room that overlooks Passeig de Gràcia.
Patio of Lights
You’ve already learnt about Casa Batlló’s excellent use of light. This is best seen on the aptly named Patio of Lights, a space directly below the central skylight of the building. It’s where you’ll also discover Gaudí’s mosaic designs – shards of tile and glass are artfully arranged to catch and reflect the light.
Indoor garden
Located off the dining room of Noble Floor is Casa Batlló’s indoor garden. The small yet serene space would have been a private area for the Batlló family to relax on balmy Barcelona afternoons. You’ll also spot more mosaics on the flower beds and pots. What’s more, an entire wall features built-in vases that act as a hanging garden.
The loft
Like many grand houses of the time, the loft space of Casa Batlló was primarily the domain of servants. It was also used for hanging laundry and for storage purposes. Built around the Patio of Lights, it combines functionality with beauty in its clean yet striking design. Many people compare its tremendous arched shape to the ribcage of an animal.
The roof
This is the wackiest part of Gaudí’s design, undeniably influenced by Catalan Modernism. The roof of Casa Batlló is mainly known for its tile work and arched shape that makes it look like the back of a colourful dragon. This helps create the appearance of a giant creature perched on top of the building!
Casa Batlló opening times and prices
Keen to tick Casa Batlló off your Barcelona bucket list? You’ll find the magical attraction is currently open to the public seven days a week:
- Monday to Thursday: 09:30 to 17:30
- Friday to Sunday: 09:00 to 20:00
Note that the last entry time is always an hour before closing. You’re likely to take between one and two hours to explore the interiors. Sunset is a spectacular time to visit Casa Batlló. If you want to avoid the crowds, we suggest going first thing in the morning or mid-afternoon.
Ticket prices
Casa Batlló tickets can be purchased either online or when you arrive. It’s always best to book in advance if you can as the attraction is top-rated and slots get filled up quickly. Prices vary depending on when you visit and whether you qualify for a special discount.
|
|
General Admission |
|
Adults |
€35 |
|
Kids (under 13) |
Free |
|
Teenagers (13 to 17) |
€6 |
|
Students |
€6 |
|
Over 65s |
€3 |
|
Disabled visitors (& a companion) |
€6 |
Prices correct as of January 2022
Travelling to Barcelona by train?
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If you're already in Spain and heading into Barcelona, Renfe trains offer high-speed routes from Madrid to Barcelona (2h 30m), Valencia to Barcelona (2h 40m), Alicante to Barcelona (4h 25m), Malaga to Barcelona (5h 32m) and Seville to Barcelona (5h 37m). Some of the most popular international train routes include Paris to Barcelona (6h 40m), Amsterdam to Barcelona (13h 17m), and Toulouse to Barcelona (3h 51m).
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