Highlights of the Hospital de Sant Pau
Modernist hospital architecture
Hospital de Sant Pau is a hospital complex designed by Montaner, like the Palau de la Música Catalana. It was built from 1902 to 1930, over approximately 30 years.
The hospital opened on January 16, 1930, and consists of independent pavilions surrounding gardens, linked by underground tunnels. Originally, 48 buildings were planned, and 16 of the 27 that were actually built are in the Modernisme style. Combining red brick, tiles, and sculpture, the buildings are scattered throughout the gardens, creating a vast architectural complex built as a hospital.
After medical services moved to the new hospital building on the north side in autumn 2009, the historic complex was adapted for visitors. In 1997, it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Palau de la Música Catalana as “Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona”.
For highlights and visitor information for the Palau de la Música Catalana, see the article below.
Pavilions in the Gardens
Image: Kent Wang from Barcelona, Spain / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0, cropped, resized, and sharpened)The pavilions are arranged around gardens, and each building has different roofs and decorative details. Rather than concentrating patient rooms and treatment spaces in one enormous building, the complex is divided into separate structures to let in light and air. The buildings are connected by underground tunnels, while above ground an open architectural landscape unfolds amid the greenery.
Basic information about Hospital de Sant Pau
The information below was checked against official sources on November 15, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.
- 🔗 Official website
- The official Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau website provides information about the architectural complex and visiting.
Recinte Modernista Sant Pau Barcelona | Web OficialEl Recinte de Sant Pau de Barcelona és una joia Modernista i Patrimoni Mundial des del 1997. Escull entre visita ll...santpaubarcelona.org
- 📍 Address
- C/ Sant Antoni Maria Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona
- 🕒 Visiting hours
-
- April–October daily 9:30–18:30
- November–March daily 9:30–17:00
- Last admission 30 minutes before closing
- 🚫 Closed
- December 25
- 💶 Prices
-
- Self-guided visit until 14:00 €18
- Self-guided visit from 14:00 €17
- ⏱️ Duration
- Allow 45–60 minutes for a self-guided visit. ⚠️ The duration varies depending on how long you spend inside.
Getting to Hospital de Sant Pau
From central Barcelona, take Metro line L4 to Sant Pau | Dos de Maig station. On leaving the station, follow Carrer de Sant Antoni Maria Claret to the entrance at number 167. Bus routes H8, 19, 47, 117, and 192 are also available.
Visiting by wheelchair
The entrance to the visitor route and all spaces along it are wheelchair accessible, with ramps and lifts provided throughout the route.
For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Barcelona: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport, and Suggested Itineraries”.
