Looking up while strolling through the streets of the upper district almost inevitably invites one to imagine what stories and mysteries lie hidden behind the walls of its most secluded buildings. This June, that neighborhood curiosity will become a reality thanks to Open Barri, an initiative by 48h Open House Barcelona linked to the city’s celebration as World Capital of Architecture 2026. The project will open the doors of several of the most iconic and usually inaccessible buildings in Sarrià and Vallvidrera completely free of charge.
Guided tours of these hidden spaces will take place between June 15 and 28, offering a journey through the soul of a neighborhood with over a thousand years of documented history. The tours will provide insight into the evolution of the area through the arrival of the train, the old summer homes, and the traditional construction trades that defined its identity, while also rediscovering the corners that served as creative refuges for cultural figures such as Carme Karr, Carles Riba, Conxita Badia, and J. V. Foix.
The new way to secure a spot
To ensure that everyone interested has an equal opportunity to access the buildings, the organization has changed the system used in previous editions and will allocate spots this year through a prior lottery.
Registration is now open and will close on June 8 at 9:00 p.m. The process is conducted online via the 48h Open House Barcelona website, specifically in the ‘Espais Ocults’ section.
When signing up, you must enter your ID number and select whether you want one or two tickets. Theorganizers share a little trick to increase your chances: sign up twice for the same time slot. Please note that, due to the nature of the activity, children under 16 are not permitted.
Guide to hidden spaces, descriptions, and schedules
Below is a list of the locations participating in the initiative this June, along with their available time slots:
- Collserola Tower: An impressive balcony overlooking the horizon that rises above the mountains to offer one of the most breathtaking panoramic views of the city.
- Observatori Fabra (Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona): The century-old temple where science meets the sky, dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos and meteorology from the heights of Collserola.
- Finca Gardenyes (Col·legi Sant Ignasi – Jesuïtes de Sarrià): A place steeped in solemnity and history, located on the grounds of this well-known educational institution in the neighborhood.
- The studio of painter Arranz Bravo: The creative sanctuary where light and colors brought the artist’s canvases to life, preserving the atmosphere of his intimate creative process intact.
- Habitatge Cooperatiu Clau Mestra: A modern and warm take on social architecture, demonstrating how community and shared living can shape a new concept of home.
- Sant Gervasi Cemetery: A quiet, peaceful stroll among monumental mausoleums that, through their funerary architecture, tell the story of the area’s stately past.
- Casa Teresa Serra – Palauet d’Orsà: A lavish palatial residence that evokes the splendor of the old families who spent their summers on the mountain slopes, opening its most majestic rooms to the public.
