Discover one of the Largest Art Nouveau sites in the world at Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
👉 Quick Guide To Buy Sant Pau Hospital Tickets
Here are some entry ticket options that let you enjoy stunning architecture without the wait.
🎟️ Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site (Skip-the-Line)
Discover one of Barcelona’s modernist treasures. Wander through colorful pavilions, gardens, and stunning architecture without waiting in line.
🎫 Combo Pass
- Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site + Casa Milà: See two of the city’s most iconic modernist landmarks in one ticket: Gaudí’s Casa Milà (La Pedrera) with an audio guide, skip-the-line entry and flexible timing to Sant Pau.
- Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site + Sagrada Familia: Sagrada Família and Sant Pau Hospital are close by, so this guided tour combines both. It includes skip-the-line entry and a guide. You can also choose the date and time for each visit easily during checkout.
Benefits
Tickets and Prices
The Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau (Hospital de Sant Pau Barcelona) offers a range of admission types. Choose from a general admission ticket for a self-guided tour, an option that includes a guided tour, or even an exclusive themed tour or group visit, depending on which season you plan to visit.
If you’re planning on visiting during peak hours or on busy days, such as weekends, it’s highly recommended to purchase a ticket online before your visit.
Plan Your Visit
Opening Hours
- Monday to Sunday (April to October): 9:30 – 18:30
- Monday to Sunday (November to March): 9:30 – 17:00
- Last Entry: 30 minutes before closing
- Closed: New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day – Double-check the website for impromptu closures
Guided Visit Hours
- Spanish: Weekends & Holidays – 11:00
- Catalan: Weekends & Holidays – 12:30
- English: Saturdays – 10:30
- French: Saturdays – 12:00
- Other Languages: Available upon request
Best Time to Visit
To enjoy a visit to Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, it’s best to arrive early in the morning, or just after lunchtime in order to avoid crowds. This way, you can enjoy a soft, natural light for perfect photography opportunities, and fewer passersby interrupting your snaps.
If possible, it’s also better to visit on a weekday, unless you’re hoping to take a guided tour, as these are also much less crowded than weekends.
The Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau is situated in the Eixample district, just a short walk from the iconic Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. There are plenty of ways of getting to the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, no matter what kind of transportation you plan on taking during your stay in Barcelona.
Metro: It’s possible to reach the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau by either Line 4 (the yellow line), to Guinardó | Hospital de Sant Pau station, or by Line 5 (the blue line), to Sant Pau | Dos de Maig.
Bus: A range of buses stop near the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, including 19, 47, 117, and H8.
On Foot: If you plan on walking around Barcelona, you can reach the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau very easily. It’s a scenic, 10-minute walk from the infamous Sagrada Familia.
You can reach the main entrance of the hospital complex from Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, where the iconic Entrance Pavilion welcomes visitors daily.
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, Horta-Guinardó, 08025 Barcelona, Spain · Google Maps
The majority of the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau has good disability access, with wheelchair accessibility throughout.
There’s a range of elevators and ramps available in most areas, making it easy to get around for those who cannot use stairs. Wheelchairs are also available upon request at the entrance pavilion, and there are accessible restrooms on the grounds, too.
Insider Tips
What to See and Do (with Pictures)
When making a visit to the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, there are plenty of gorgeous, interesting, and amazing things to see during your visit. Here are some of the most unmissable sights at this iconic Art Nouveau destination.
The Entrance Pavilion
Begin your visit to the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau with a visit to the Entrance Pavilion. Originally the reception area of the hospital, this area now houses the ticket office, visitor center, and the gift shop.
It is a truly stunning part of the building, with a curved facade, ceramic decoration, and arched windows. Its unique and breathtaking design makes it the perfect introduction to Catalan modernism for visitors unfamiliar with the style.
Be sure not to rush too much when you first get here. It’s a good idea to spend a few minutes standing outside the pavilion and admiring the facade from the outside in order to get some great photos before you enter.
The Administrative Pavilion
One of the complex’s most impressive buildings is the Administrative Pavilion. Originally standing as the nerve center of the hospital, it’s now home to exhibitions on the site’s history and the architect behind the hospital, Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
The grand interior of this building boasts a range of colorful stained glass windows, elaborate ironwork, rich tilework, and domed ceilings. The mosaic floors and columns that can be seen here were designed not just to look beautiful, but also for hygiene purposes, since they were easy to clean and wipe down.
The Underground Tunnels
Hidden below the ground’s serene gardens are a series of underground tunnels. These tunnels connect the hospital pavilions and allow doctors, nurses, and patients to move between the different departments, while ensuring the peace and cleanliness of the hospital grounds above.
Part of these tunnels is open to the public today, and being able to step inside them and experience what they were like at the time is sure to be a mysterious and atmospheric addition to your visit.
Pavilion of Sant Rafael
The Pavilion of Sant Rafael allows visitors to step back in time and see exactly what the hospital used to be like. Having been restored to its original early 20th-century state, visitors can see vintage medical beds, tiled walls, and early medical equipment on display.
The ceilings in this room are also equally as well decorated as most of the other Pavilions across the grounds, so don’t forget to look up!
The Gardens
The interconnected gardens were designed as a way to provide patients with a healing space, while ensuring that those who were contagious were separated. They provide a relaxing respite and peaceful escape from the rest of the hospital complex, with a range of gorgeous, winding paths, orange trees, and benches tucked into quiet corners.
At the time of their creation, these gardens were considered to be revolutionary when it came to hospital design, as they helped prioritise patient recovery through nature and fresh air.
Did You Know That? Facts
- The complex remained as a fully functioning hospital until 2009.
- In 1997, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Palau de la Música Catalana.
- The man who designed the building, Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, was actually a mentor to the infamous Spanish architect and designer, Gaudí.
- The grounds are the largest Art Nouveau complex in the world.
- Some of the buildings are still used today by a range of cultural and educational institutions.
History
1902
Construction of the new Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau begins under architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
1911
The first pavilions are opened to patients.
1920s
Construction continues under the architect’s son, Pere Domènech i Roura.
1930s – 1990s
The hospital opens and expands to meet modern needs.
1997
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
2009
The medical services are relocated, and restoration of the historical complex begins
2014
The site reopens as a cultural and architectural attraction
FAQs
Is the site accessible to wheelchair users?
Yes, the site is wheelchair accessible. There are a number of elevators and ramps installed throughout, and wheelchairs can be requested at the entrance if you didn’t bring one with you but require the use of one for getting around the grounds.
Are guided tours available?
Yes, guided tours are available in several languages and are offered at set times each day. If your language is not on the list, you can request a tour to be held in advance of your visit, but there are also self-guided options thanks to the handy mobile app.
Can I take photos inside?
Photography is allowed on the premises, but flash photography and tripods are not permitted.
How long does a visit take?
However long you like! Most visitors choose to spend between 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the complex.
Is the site suitable for children?
Of course! The vibrant colors, creative and beautiful architecture, and mysterious tunnels are some of the things that younger visitors typically enjoy seeing most during their visit.