Skip the Line: Palau de la Música Catalana Guided Tour

Choose the departure time most convenient for you, then meet your guide at the Palau de la Música Catalana in La Ribera. One of the most popular concert halls in Barcelona, the UNESCO-listed Palau de la Música Catalana is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture. Head directly inside with your skip-the-line ticket, and begin your guided tour in the Rehearsal Hall of the Orfeó Catala. Learn how the foundation stone was laid here in 1905, and watch a 15-minute clip about the building’s history as well as society in the early 20th century. Next, feast your eyes on the elaborate staircases that lead up to the second floor. Study the lavish tiling that covers the underside, then peer through the unusual glass balusters that support the marble banisters as you ascend the stairs. Find yourself bathed in light as you enter the Lluís Millet Hall, which features floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the balcony colonnade of the main façade. Gaze out at the pillars that are decorated with intricate mosaics depicting flowers in a tribute to nature. Your final stop is the Concert Hall. Be overcome with awe as you step into this magnificent hall. Look around you at the massive panes of stained glass that are set in arches along the walls, then turn your attention to the room’s centerpiece: a large skylight in the shape of an inverted dome. As you tour the auditorium with your guide, learn about the Catalan architects responsible for the décor, including Eusebi Arnau, Pau Gargallo, Lluís Bru and Antoni Rigalt. After around an hour, your tour concludes near the Palau de la Música Catalana’s exit. Photos provided by Matteo Vecchi.