Liceu Theatre

The Gran Teatre del Liceu is undoubtedly the heart of cultural life in Barcelona. Established on La Rambla in 1847, the Liceu was the biggest opera house in Europe when it opened, but grand buildings often have grand set backs to contend with, and this theatre has had more than its fair share. Fires in 1881 and 1994, bankruptcy in the 1930s and even an anarchist bomb attack in 1893 have all threatened its existence throughout the years.

Thankfully all failed to quash the Liceu’s spirit, or its huge popularity, and today you’ll still find plenty of highbrow Catalans thronging around the theatre at weekends in their best evening wear. The Liceu’s facade is famous for being rather dull (indeed you might easily pass by without noticing it), however the theatre’s horseshoe-shaped Italian-style five-tiered auditorium, boasting 2,292 seats, is a suitably spectacular arena in which to enjoy a rich programme of opera, ballet and classical music.