In no time we get to Sant Jordi, one of the most beautiful days for most Barcelonians, in which the streets are filled with books, roses and magic. But there is something else to add to this special celebration: several monuments and buildings in Barcelona open their doors for free during this unique day of the year.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the most emblematic historical or architectural features of the city, such as the Sant Pau Modernist Site, the impressive hospital complex designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palau de la Generalitat, current seat of the Govern or the Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s unfinished monument emblematic of the city.
In Barcelona Secreta we discover the monuments and museums that can be visited for free only on Sant Jordi’s Day and explain the activities that will take place in each one:
Sant Pau modernist enclosure
The Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site opens its doors to celebrate Sant Jordi’s Day and offers the local public the opportunity to explore its emblematic spaces. Along with the visit, activities have been organized to immerse visitors in the history of the site and its architect, Domenech i Montaner, on the centenary of his death. Through an interactive experience downloadable to cell phones, visitors will be able to relive the legend of Sant Jordi. They will also be able to enjoy fun and festive activities, such as jam sessions and swing dancing in the hospital gardens.
April 23 from 9.30 am to 6.30 pm.
🎟️ Limited capacity. Book your tickets on their website.
Barcelona City Hall
Carlos Montanes / Ajuntament de Barcelona
Only during the Sunday before Sant Jordi, visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to explore the most outstanding corners of the Ajuntament de Barcelona. From the Mayor’s office to the Salón de Cien, the Consolat de Mar, the Sala Tàpies, the Gothic gallery and the majestic staircase of honor, they will be able to marvel at the history and architecture of Barcelona.
One of the most attractive experiences of the open day of this space is to go up to the viewpoint on the 9th floor, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the city of Barcelona.
🕒 April 21 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm.
🎟️ Limited capacity.
Palau de la Generalitat
The Palau de la Generalitat can be visited during Sant Jordi’s Day. The mythical Pati dels Tarongers will let you contemplate its fruits during this visit that begins on the first floor of the Palau, where you can visit the Sala Clavé, the Press Room and the Auditorium. The exterior gallery, the courtyard and its staircase, in Gothic style, are some of the corners with more historical and cultural richness of the institution.
🕒 To be determined
🎟️ Limited capacity.
Library of Catalonia
Photo: Generalitat de Catalunya
During the day of the book and the rose, the Biblioteca de Catalunya, located in Hospital Street, offers guided tours, concerts and other activities that must be booked in advance. It offers the option to visit the library individually following the established itinerary that will allow to see the most outstanding book collections found in the space.
🕒 April 23 from 10 am to 7 pm.
🎟️ Limited capacity. Reservations required.
Sagrada Familia
Photo: Adwo / Shutterstock
Following tradition, the Sagrada Familia offers free admission to Jordis and Georginas by showing ID. The area around the basilica is often noted for being an exhibition of popular culture and book and rose stalls. It is a good place to go to be able to capture the atmosphere of Sant Jordi without suffering the excessive crowds that usually occur in other spaces at rush hour.
🕒 Various schedules.
🎟️ Only Jordis and Georgines
Centre Excursionista de Catalunya
In the heart of the Gòtic (Carrer del Paradís, 10), this historic center is open from 11 am to 1 pm with guided tours that will take you from the Roman columns of the temple of Augustus to modernist posters and paintings by Miró. A time capsule among stones, maps and Catalan art. Of course, you have to fill out a form to choose a schedule on their website.
🕒 From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
🎟️ By reservation
Institute of Catalan Studies
The Casa de Convalescència (Carrer del Carme, 47) is a jewel of the Raval that this April 23 can be visited without reservation, from 10 am to 2 pm. Baroque chapel, cloister, historical rooms… And if you want to take some books with you, there will be two IEC stops: one in the cloister and another in the middle of the Rambla, next to the Palau de la Virreina.
🕒 From 10 am to 2 pm
🎟️ No reservation
Museum of the History of Catalonia
Located in the Palau de Mar, the museum joins the spirit of open doors with free admission from 10 am to 8 pm. There are exhibitions on memory, refuge and country, guided tours (reservations required), and family activities on the weekend: inclusive storytelling on Saturday 26 and workshop to draw dragons on Sunday 27 with illustrator Lluïsot.
🕒 From 10 am to 8 pm
🎟️ By reservation
Museum of Archaeology of Catalonia
On April 23, free access from 9.30 am to 7 pm to make a journey through the centuries without leaving Montjuïc. Ideal to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and reconnect with history.
🕒 From 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🎟️ By reservation
Palau Güell
Source: Wikimedia. Commons
Gaudí’s palace hidden in the Raval also opens its doors during the Diada. During the day of Sant Jordi visitors can access the palace from 10 am until 8 pm for free. In the space there are several representations dedicated to Sant Jordi and the dragon is the most represented animal. Tickets can be booked through the Palau Güell website from Saturday.
🕒 From 10 h. to 20 h.
🎟️ Free
Diputació de Barcelona
A classic of the open doors for Sant Jordi . On April 23, from 10 am to 8 pm (last entrance at 7.30 pm), you can visit the most representative spaces of this institution without prior reservation. An ideal stop between book signings.
🕒 From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
🎟️ Free
Ateneu Barcelonès
The Ateneu opens the doors of its Palau Savassona (Canuda street, 6) from 11 am to 8 pm. Library, Pompeu Fabra room, romantic gardens… If you like history with the scent of ink, this is your place. In addition, there will be readings aloud from 12 to 14 h (with prior registration) and at 18.30 h, stand-up comedy with Enric Cambray about Hamlet. Yes, you read that right.
🕒 From 11 am to 8 pm.
🎟️ Free
Mies van der Rohe Pavilion
Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion | Source: Shutterstock
The building, an emblematic example of the modern movement in architecture, opens free of charge and without prior reservation on the first Sunday of each month, during the festivities of Santa Eulàliandthose of La Mercè, patron saints of Barcelona, the Nit dels Museus and on Sant Jordi opens the pavilion for reading.
April 23, from 10 am to 8 pm.
🎟️ No reservation required.
Photographic Social Vision Foundation
Once a year, the headquarters of this foundation in Villa Alegre (Via Augusta, 175) opens its doors for Sant Jordi. From 11 am to 8 pm, photobooks, author signings, unpublished exhibitions and vermouth with photographers like Santi Donaire or Manuel Outumuro. They also sell roses for the benefit of their projects. For lovers of the image, it is an unmissable event.
🕒 April 23, from 11am to 8pm.
🎟️ No reservation required.
2×1 for Jordis and Jordinas in Torre Glòries
If your name is Jordi or Jordina (or any international version of the name), from April 23 to 27 you can go up to the viewpoint of the Glòries Tower with 2×1 at the entrance. A prize to match your name, with 360° views of Barcelona.
🕒 April 23, from 11am to 8pm.
🎟️ Free for Jordis and Jordinas
And this is the complete list of museums. We leave you here also some of the best Sant Jordi breads, bookstores or florists in case you want to complement your Sant Jordi walk.