I know, those are some fighting words in the title! But I really think you’d be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable way to spend the day at the hospital than going to see the Hospital de Sant Pau in Barcelona. It’s a modernist jewel that recently re-opened for public viewing.
It was briefly free a couple of months ago to celebrate the re-opening, and since then they’ve started charging admission. But architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s masterpiece only costs €8 to enter, making it one of the most budget-friendly ways to get a taste of Catalan modernisme. Compare that to the Sagrada Familia at nearly €15 and Domènech i Montaner’s more famous Palau de la Música Catalana at €18. And you get more bang for your buck too – the Hospital de Sant Pau is the biggest Art Nouveau complex in the world.
And if you’re really stuck on a budget, come check out my video where I take you around the beautiful hospital grounds. Enjoy!
Oh, and in related bloggy news, have you seen eTramping’s lovely new post about the best temples in the world? You may just spot another very famous Barcelona modernist work in the piece. 😀
How to visit the Hospital de Sant Pau:
- Address: Carrer de Sant Quintí, 89
- Closest Metro stop: Sant Pau/Dos de Maig on the blue line.
- Cost: Regular tickets are €8 for a self-guided visit and €14 for a guided visit.
- Can I get discounts? There are discounts available for under 29s and over 65, with some touristic activities like the Bus Turístic. It’s free for under 16s, the unemployed, and people with the Tarjeta Rosa Gratuïta.
- Opening hours: November to March: Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Sundays and holidays, 10 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. April to October: Monday – Saturday – 10 a.m. – 6.30 p.m. Sundays and holidays, 10 a.m. – 2.30 p.m.
- Days it’s closed: January 1, January 6, December 25, December 26
- Official website: http://www.santpaubarcelona.org/en
- Other nearby attractions: the Sagrada Familia is right down the street
Adeu amics!
-Jess
Yes it is beautiful, Barcelona has too may modernist building beyond Gauidi.
Definitely! People always think of Gaudi first, but there is so much more to see.
I love your videos!! I already want to return to Spain & they just make me want to go back even more! Especially since I didn’t get to visit Barcelona when I was there
Thanks very much, Dani! If you didn’t get to go to Barcelona, that definitely warrants a trip back to Spain. You basically have to, right? 🙂
Wow, it’s spectacular! I would never ever say it was a hospital. More like a cathedral! 🙂
I agree! Actually, there IS a church in the hospital as well (we didn’t film it), but it’s quite disappointing because it looks so plain and boring next to the amazing hospital. 😀
Beautiful architecture! So many incredible works of art and architecture to see in Barcelona. I will be spending 10 days in Barcelona this month – so excited!! Glad you posted this otherwise I wouldn’t have known about it!
Ooh 10 days in Barcelona in the spring – that sounds like a great trip!
The architect who designed the hospital is definitely the OTHER modernisme guy. This place is actually just up the street from the Sagrada Familia and you can see both at once, but it’s not nearly as famous. It’s tough to compete with the Sagrada Familia for attention!
Wow! That’s really amazing. I’m glad that it’s open again, even though I didn’t know it was there to begin with! I definitely want to check this out when I’m in Barcelona.
It’s definitely worth it! It’s not as famous right now as I think it will be in the future, just because it’s been under construction. Get in while the prices are still low(ish)! 😀
Ticket prices in Barcelona are just absurdly high—it’s a shame that 8€ is considered cheap for una entrada! But I digress. Thanks for sharing the non-Gaudí modernista works in town; I’m looking forward to hittin’ them up the next time I’m in town thanks to your blog! 🙂
Well, all the modernist stuff is crazy expensive. For anything else, 8 euros would be a high price too! But this one really does let you see quite a bit for the entry price, so I think it’s good bang for your buck.
Gosh, you make me miss Barcelona so much! I love your video by the way! I’ll be sure to subscribe once I log on!
Aw thanks very much! I’m really enjoying letting people in on the city’s “secrets”.