Has anybody been to PALAU Guell, the building? (NOT PARC GUELL)
Can we just show up at the door and purchase tickets? Looking for actual experience, not just what the website says.
Or do we really need timed tickets in advance? Is there a long line to see inside this building?
We've been to Barcelona before, so we have been to parc Guell, and Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlo and Casa Mila.
As the RS tour gives us a free afternoon after visiting Sagrada Familia, we wanted to go see some other Gaudi places we hadn't seen before such as Sant Pau and Palau Guell.
Thanks in advance for your experience regarding PALAU GUELL.
Posted by
Washington DC
28083 posts
Palau Guell is among the many modernista sights I went to in 2015. I enjoyed it, but it's not as over-the-top as Casa Mila and Casa Batltlo. Still, I think it's worth seeing for a Gaudi fan.
At the time, there was no indication Palau Guell tickets needed to be bought early, so I just wandered over there one day. The line was long enough (maybe 10 or 12 people) that I decided to return later. "Later" may have been a different day; I don't remember. I also don't remember whether I caved and bought a ticket before my second attempt. I rather think I did not.
Have you been to the Sant Pau modernista site designed by Domenech i Montaner? It's lovely, and as recently as May 2019 I was able to just walk up and buy a ticket for immediate entry. Domenica I Montaner is the same architect who designed the Palau de la Musica Catalana.
Posted by
Pacific Northwest
2682 posts
We were there in May of this year. We did have pre-purchased tickets but they weren’t necessary - at least on the day we were there. There was no line to get in and it had way less crowds than places like Casa Batllo.
I found it to be very worthwhile - I am a huge Gaudi fan.
Posted by
FL USA
1560 posts
Casa Vicens is the first home Gaudi designed and welcomes guests to an excellent experience. Sort of off the beaten path, we greatly enjoyed the visit.
https://casavicens.org
After the visit we enjoyed a long interesting walk to Plaza Catalunya.
Are you referencing the following experience?
https://www.palaumusica.cat/en/the-art-nouveau-building_23602
If so, strongly recommend determining if your schedule syncs with attending an event. The experience is phenomenal and something we now insure is a part of every visit tp Barcelona. If you cannot attend a concert we do recommend advance purchase of tickets to insure your place as during high tourist season slots can be full. The interior experience is great and air conditioned!
Posted by
FL USA
1560 posts
https://www.santpaubarcelona.org/en
Please examine the above website as it is a great experience and a 10 minute walk from Sagrada.
Posted by
Dallas, TX, US
22 posts
I just returned from Barcelona this week. It was no issue with purchasing a ticket "on the spot" versus in advance to visit Palau Guell. It is a fascinating place to visit and it was not crowded at all. I also purchased a ticket to Casa Mila/La Pedrera on my phone earlier that same morning and it was no issue with getting in the same day. Casa Batllo is more crowded, so it's a good idea to purchase a ticket ahead of time. The main place that you need to order tickets online in advance are Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. Sagrada Familia is VERY strict about entering on time per your ticket. If you arrive too early, they will not let you queue up. You must wait until your timed entry. It is VERY hot and humid in Barcelona. I had to shower 3x in a day. Stay hydrated as much as you can. It was worth the extra expense to stay in a 4 star hotel for the purpose of having really good A/C.
Posted by
OP
Walnut Creek, CA
605 posts
Thank you all that replied.
We are going to wing it- just show up for Palau Guell and hope tickets are available. We can't choose a timed slot because we have no idea what time the RS tour of Sagrada Familia ends.
We have added Casa Vicens to our itinerary. Thank you for that suggestion. And then we will have lunch at Santa Caterina Market, all this before we start the RS tour at 5 pm.
We already have tickets for Palau de la Music and plan on visiting Sant Pau Hospital. It seems we can just show up at Sant Pau and buy tickets when we arrive. It doesn't look as though there is a line or timed entry.
Wow. Looks like we will get our fill of Gaudi!
Posted by
FL USA
1560 posts
A tip......... we like to second hand shop on our journeys seeking clothing allowing us to wear something back home which reminds us of the journey. On the east side of the market, across the street on the corner of the same side of the street, is a second hand shop where we have found wonderful scarfs, blouses, mens shirts and purse/wallet. If you have time and inclination, then check out this shop Humana Vintage.
https://www.humana-spain.org/?&lang=en
https://www.barcelonaturisme.com/wv3/en/page/508/santa-caterina-market.html