Barcelona and its home-grown art nouveau movement, modernisme, go hand in hand. The style emerged in all its glory at the end of the 19th century to reveal itself in hundreds of extremely beautiful buildings which line the way. Let yourself be captivated once again by these masterpieces in a style full of opulence, fantasy, symbolism and colour.

In the old town, Ciutat Vella, there is the incomparable Palau de la Música Catalana, and in the Parc de la Ciutadella, the building which is home to the Museu de Ciències Naturals i Zoologia. The Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau is one of the nine modernista masterpieces in Barcelona which have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Barcelona is certainly the European city where art-nouveau architecture has the greatest presence in the physiognomy and personality of the city.

It is the Eixample district, and more specifically the area known as the "Quadrat d'Or" (Golden Square), which contains the greatest number of modernista buildings, although this architectural style can be found in many other places around the city.

Modernista Route

Barcelona Restaurants
The Catalan capital is also a culinary capital: prestigious chefs serve up our traditional cuisine and the flavours from around the world. Can you decide on one?

Themed routes