Casa Batllo

Another of Gaudi’s Modernista masterpieces, the Casa Batllo on Passeig de Gracia is arguably the most eye-catching of the private houses he designed in his lifetime.

As always, Mother Nature was his Muse, and the façade is a surreal blend of coral-coloured tiles and marine motifs with exo-skeleton window decoration and shark-jaw balconies – you’ll have to see it for yourself to understand what we’re on about! Once you do, you’ll also understand why the building earned itself the nickname ‘The House of Bones’.

If that wasn’t mind-boggling enough, the edifice is also topped with an element of fantasy – a ridge-back roof that represents the spine of the dragon killed by the Sant Jordi (the Catalan version of St. George, and Catalonia’s patron saint).

The interior, once lived in by the aristocratic Batllo family, is also a delight to behold even if you have to pay a fair whack for the privilege – tickets start at €29. See below for more details on hours, prices and how to book in advance.

Did you know? Mick Jagger supposedly wanted to buy the house when it went on sale after Franco died. Or so the urban myth goes!

Opening Hours

The Casa Batllo is open 9am to 8:30pm everyday of the year, with last entry at 7:15pm. The visit takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, and advance reservations are strongly advised if you want to avoid the queues and be sure of entering.

Note: It’s possible to visit the Casa Batllo before and after their regular opening times. Keep reading for more..

Casa Batllo Tickets

Standard ‘Blue’ tickets cost €29 if you book in advance via their website, although their dynamic pricing means you pay extra if you leave it to the last minute, or choose a popular date for your visit. Otherwise you can also buy tickets on Get Your Guide.

Blue Tickets include a self-guided audiotour which is available in ten different languages (Spanish, Catalan, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian), and you’ll be able to access the building’s sensational entrance hall, mezzanine and rooftop, each decorated with scores of allegorical motifs in Gaudi’s inimitable style.

Silver Tickets cost €8 more than Blue Tickets and also include Gaudi Dome, Concierge Room and a Virtual Reality tablet. Not bad, but if you’re going to upgrade, it makes more sense to go for Gold…

Gold Tickets cost €10 more than Blue Tickets, and have everything included in the Blue and Silver package, as well as access to the Batllo family fabulous private residence, ‘Fast Pass’ (skip the line), and the chance to change your dates or cancel for free if your plans change.

Early Morning Tickets

Early risers might want to consider Casa Batllo’s “Be The First” experience, which grants people a chance to visit the house before the general public arrive. A great option for keen photographers who will be able to take photos in the soft morning light, and enjoy the mansion with less people around.

Tickets available via official website, or Get Your Guide.

Magic Nights Tickets

Another cool alternative to the standard ticket is to swing by the House of Bones by night, when the mansion’s rooftop plays host to live music during their Magic Nights season, which runs spring through to autumn.

Tickets available on the official website only.

The Best Tour Options

A great option for first-time visitors to Barcelona who are curious about Gaudi is this combined tour of Casa Batllo, Sagrada Familia and Park Guell available via Get Your Guide.

For a pretty reasonable price of €159 per person, you get tickets to the architect’s three best works, and a private tour guide to talk you through the context of each sight. The price also includes private transport between the sights, and is rated 4.9 out of 5.

For anyone keen to round up ALL of Gaudi’s greatest hits in Barcelona, Gaudi Bike Tours run a superb 4-hour electric bicycle tour that offers a fantastic overview of the architect’s handiwork. The tour focuses on seeing the buildings from the outside, but does include entry to Park Guell.

The Best Tourist Cards

There are several official and unofficial Barcelona tourist cards that can save you money during your stay, so do read our post on the subject. The only card that features Casa Batllo tickets however are the two Go City Passes, the All-Inclusive and the Explorer.