Sant Pau is the largest Art Nouveau complex in the world, a former hospital turned UNESCO World Heritage site in Barcelona.
This guide was updated in July 2026. The site has just opened a new special exhibition, “The Sagrada Família and the Hospital de Sant Pau: A Living Memory,” running since 7 July 2026, exploring the shared history between these two Barcelona landmarks. You can book in advance through Viator to confirm your ticket before you travel.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | C. Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain |
| Hours | April–October: daily 9:30am–6:30pm; November–March: daily 9:30am–5pm |
| Self-guided ticket | €18 (until 2pm), €17 (after 2pm) |
| Guided tour | €21 (adult), €5 (ages 3–11) |
| Nearest transit | Metro L5, Sant Pau – Dos de Maig |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5–2 hours |
Why book Sant Pau tickets?
- 🏛️ The largest Art Nouveau complex in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
- 🎟️ A brand-new exhibition linking Sant Pau’s history to its famous neighbour, the Sagrada Família.
- 🌿 Twelve pavilions set among gardens, connected by underground galleries.
- 📜 A working hospital for over 600 years, from 1401 until 2009.
- 💰 Save €1 on the self-guided ticket by visiting after 2pm.
Opening hours for Sant Pau
Sant Pau is open daily, 9:30am to 6:30pm from April to October, and 9:30am to 5pm from November to March. Last access is 30 minutes before closing. The site is closed on 25 December, and offers free entry on 23 April, International Museum Day, Night of the Museums, and 24 September.
Ticket prices for Sant Pau
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Self-guided visit (until 2pm) | €18 |
| Self-guided visit (after 2pm) | €17 |
| Guided tour, adult | €21 |
| Guided tour, ages 3–11 | €5 |
| Audio guide | €4 |
| Reduced (Barcelona residents, ages 12–24, 65+, and other categories) | €12.60–€14.70 |
Children under 12 accompanied by an adult, unemployed visitors, and several other categories can visit for free at the box office with proof of eligibility. Book through Viator if you’d rather have your ticket confirmed ahead of time.
How to get to Sant Pau
By metro: Line L5 stops at Sant Pau – Dos de Maig, right by the site.
By bus: routes H8, 19, 47, 117, and 192 all serve the area.
On foot: Sant Pau sits at the end of Avinguda de Gaudí, a short, pleasant walk from the Sagrada Família.
Parking
The nearest public car park is on Carrer de los Castillejos, 328, a short walk from the site.
How long to spend at Sant Pau
Most visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours, exploring the gardens, pavilions, and main administration building at a relaxed pace.
Accessibility at Sant Pau
Sant Pau is fully wheelchair accessible, with ramps, lifts featuring braille and high-relief buttons, and two free loan wheelchairs available at the entrance. Accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities, rest areas, and an accessible luggage service are all available on site. Only guide and assistance dogs are permitted.
What to see at Sant Pau
The Sant Salvador Pavilion houses an exhibition tracing the hospital’s history from its founding in 1401 to its closure as a working hospital in 2009.
The main administration building, with its domed roof, marble columns, and mosaic-covered ceilings, was designed to resemble a church welcoming patients with open arms.
The pavilions, originally separated by gender and connected by underground galleries so patients could move between them without going outside, are decorated with glazed ceramic tiles, sculptures, and mosaic friezes.
The gardens, planted with orange, lime, and elm trees alongside medicinal herbs like lavender and rosemary, reflect architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner’s garden-city vision for patient wellbeing.
The new special exhibition, “The Sagrada Família and the Hospital de Sant Pau: A Living Memory,” running until 15 November 2026, explores the connections between these two Barcelona landmarks, alongside a second current exhibition, “Fontilles: The Hidden City.”
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visit after 2pm to save €1 | The self-guided ticket costs €17 instead of €18 in the afternoon. |
| Check out the current exhibitions | Two special exhibitions are running now, including one on Sant Pau’s link to the Sagrada Família. |
| Wear comfortable shoes | The visit covers plenty of ground outdoors across the gardens and pavilions. |
| Book the guided tour for more context | Available on weekends in Spanish, Catalan, English, and French. |
| Combine with a ticket to La Pedrera | A combined ticket covers both Modernisme landmarks. |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does a ticket cost? | €18 for the self-guided visit before 2pm, or €17 after 2pm; guided tours cost €21. Booking in advance confirms your ticket ahead of time. |
| What are the current opening hours? | Daily 9:30am to 6:30pm from April to October, and 9:30am to 5pm from November to March. |
| What’s new at Sant Pau right now? | A special exhibition on Sant Pau’s shared history with the Sagrada Família, running since 7 July 2026. |
| Is it wheelchair accessible? | Yes, fully accessible with ramps, lifts, and free loan wheelchairs. |
| How long was Sant Pau a working hospital? | Over 600 years, from 1401 until 2009. |
Things to do nearby
The Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, is a short walk down Avinguda de Gaudí.
Avinguda de Gaudí itself, a pedestrian boulevard lined with cafes, connects Sant Pau directly to the Sagrada Família.
Guinardó Park, a hillside green space with sweeping views over the city, is a short walk away.
Els Encants Market, one of Europe’s oldest flea markets, is a bit further, near Glòries.
The Hospital de Sant Pau’s own gardens, freely photographed from the surrounding streets, offer a preview of the site’s Art Nouveau character before you even step inside.
What to visit tomorrow
Institut Pere Mata, in Reus, was Domènech i Montaner’s earlier psychiatric hospital project, often described as the design “rehearsal” for what would later become Hospital de Sant Pau. It’s about an hour and a half’s drive from Barcelona, and its “Pavelló dels Distingits” is open to visitors, making it a genuine day trip for anyone keen to see where the architect first developed his ideas.
More Barcelona travel
Other Barcelona travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Botanical Garden of Barcelona.
- What to expect at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and Poble Espanyol in Barcelona.
- First-time visitors’ guide to Montjuic Castle in Barcelona.
- Planning a visit to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.
- Get the best views of Barcelona from Mirador Torre Glories.
