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Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau Tickets

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.

🎫 Combo Pass

Benefits

  • Saunter through one of the world’s largest Art Nouveau complexes, filled with a variety of bright, colorful domes, stained glass, and intricate mosaics.
  • Step inside original hotel pavilions and underground tunnels, dating back to the 20th century.
  • Save time and skip the line by pre-booking your tickets online. Choose a time that suits your travel plans and book ahead!

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

Map of 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

  • Buy your tickets online in advance of your visit. This way, you can avoid lines at the ticketing office. This is especially helpful if you’re visiting during a busy period, such as during the summer or on a weekend.
  • Bring headphones with you. You’ll be able to use a mobile audio guide on your phone for a more thorough and insightful experience.
  • Be sure to wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of walking between the different pavilions along cobbled paths and uneven ground, so it’s important to ensure you’ll be comfortable.
  • Visit near closing time for a quieter experience. The gardens are particularly peaceful when there are fewer people around.
  • If you have time, it’s a good idea to combine your visit with a trip to Sagrada Família. It is located just a short 10-minute walk away, and makes for the perfect day out for lovers of architecture and design.

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

Main entrance of Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona (Modernist Hospital)

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

mitzo_bs/Depositphotos
The main building of Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona (Modernist Hospital)

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

alfredosaz.gmail.com/Depositphotos
Corridor with the doors of the surgical area

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

rabbit75_dep/Depositphotos
Interior of the reconstruction of the original ward in Hospital de Sant Pau

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

Beautiful garden view of the Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona

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

  1. The complex remained as a fully functioning hospital until 2009.
  2. In 1997, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Palau de la Música Catalana.
  3. The man who designed the building, Architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, was actually a mentor to the infamous Spanish architect and designer, Gaudí.
  4. The grounds are the largest Art Nouveau complex in the world.
  5. 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.

Check guided tours here »

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.