We're all familiar with Barcelona's most iconic monuments, but now is your chance to (re)discover five of the Catalan capital's palaces that you may have already passed by without paying much attention, though this time around you'll be bedazzled. The first thing you need to do is book your Renfe tickets to Barcelona!
At the very heart of Barcelona, in Plaça Sant Jaume, across from the city hall, you'll find the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya, one of the region's most important institutions. This is where decisions concerning Catalan citizens are taken by elected officials who work here, but it is also a building that is well worth stopping to look at. Its originality stems largely from the fact that it took over two centuries to build, and for this very reason it features a number of different architectural styles: neoclassical, renaissance, gothic and baroque.
The palace has been renovated several times in different styles, but has lost none of its grandeur.
Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya
A jewel of modernism, inside and out. The Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905 and 1908 by the famous Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Located in the Ribera district, it is a true modernist jewel whose concert hall was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
An example of neoclassical architecture designed by the French architect Henri Grandpierre, one of the participants in the Paris Universal Exhibition, and whose work was directed by the architect Joan Martorell.
The building now belongs to the Generalitat de Catalunya and houses a cultural centre with three exhibition halls, a concert hall, a tourist office, a bookshop and gardens open to the public.
Located on Barcelona's Rambla, the Palau de la Virreina is one of the finest examples of Baroque and Rococo architecture in Catalonia. The palace's outbuildings and courtyard are now used by Barcelona City Council, but are also used for temporary exhibitions and the permanent exhibition of the City Giants!
A beautiful palace housing some of the finest works of art in the world. Classical in style, with a few Renaissance touches, the Palau Nacional de Montjuïc is the work of architects Eugenio Cendoya and Enric Catà, who worked under the direction of Pere Domènech i Roura.
The Palace is now home to one of the city's leading museums, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, containing some of the finest collections of Romantic art from around the world. Open all year round, you can visit the museum, take a stroll around the open spaces, climb up to the terrace and enjoy the view, and even a meal…
After this unforgettable holiday, the best way to get home is to sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery as it passes before your eyes on board our Renfe high-speed trains.
Can't wait to hop on a train to Barcelona? Now you can do just that on AVE France, our international high-speed trains between France and Spain. The most comfortable, fastest and sustainable way to travel is by train! You can also take advantage of our discounts and get the best price.
Did you like our suggestions? Well, there is a lot more where that came from! Discover more original tips about what to do in Barcelona with Renfe.