The Poble Espanyol of Barcelona: Hours, Ticket, and How to Get There

In the 1920s, two Spanish architects and two artists traveled around the peninsula to collect photographs, notes, and sketches about the life of Spanish villages, visiting a remarkable 1,600 different communities. The goal of this journey was to gather information to build a village in Barcelona that would synthesize all of Spain, an extraordinary way to gather the entire peninsula in one location. From this journey, between 1926 and 1929, Poble Espanyol was born, a village that encompasses the typical places of Spain and the various representations of art from its regions. It was inaugurated in 1929 during the International Exhibition of Barcelona, when the Poble was used as a pavilion dedicated to art.

The Poble has had quite a tumultuous life. According to legend, the village was to be demolished at the end of the dictatorship, as it was viewed by many as a symbol of Francoism. The autonomous and independent spirit of the Barcelonans did not appreciate that traditionalist element that sought to impose Spanish traditions of which they, in part, did not feel a part. The fortune of the village lies in the fact that not only was it not demolished at the end of the Exhibition, but it is still one of the few monuments from an International Exhibition that can still be visited today. During the years of the Civil War, the Poble Espanyol lost its festive vocation, ceasing to receive curious and enthusiastic visitors. Its almost fantastical reality was swept away by the war, which transformed the village into a scene of despair: a prisoner internment camp. But it was during these tragic years of war that the Poble became a source of inspiration for two filmmakers: Max Aub and André Malraux, who filmed their movie "Sierra de Teruel (Hope)" here, about the Spanish Civil War.

In the Poble, there are 117 buildings, streets, and squares within a harmonious and global composition. Without cars but enveloped by the Montjuïc mountain, a visit to the Poble Espanyol is an unusual journey away from traffic, without the noise of the city, with clean air and extraordinary weather, surrounded by enchanting and evocative landscapes. Today, it is not just a place for sightseeing; it hosts theatrical performances, music concerts. It is a place where Barcelonans come to chat, meet friends, and enjoy fine cuisine thanks to the wide gastronomic offerings provided by various restaurants. There are also nightclubs and outdoor venues. The stroll through the Poble is divided into areas, each reflecting some characteristic buildings from the different Spanish regions. For example, from Andalusia, the part of Spain where the sun shines and warms like no other place, the Poble displays the buildings and typical narrow whitewashed streets, ideal for seeking shade. From Cantabria and its landscape of rugged coasts, steep mountains, vast meadows, and dense forests, the Poble Espanyol represents Santillana del Mar, a beautiful village that, despite its name, is not located by the sea but inland. This village is known because within its municipality are the Altamira Caves, which contain the remains of the most important prehistoric rock paintings in the world. All the buildings from Extremadura recreated in the Poble Espanyol are primarily noble houses and palaces, where you can contemplate the noble coats of arms, a typical example of the power of the aristocracy. Most of these are from Cáceres, a city declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986. There is also the San Miguel Sanctuary, made by assembling the most important religious buildings from the region.

In the Poble Espanyol, there are more than 40 artisan shops where you can discover traditional Spanish craftsmanship. Due to its great concentration of artisans, the Poble has been declared a Craft Interest Zone by the Generalitat of Catalonia. The gastronomic offerings of the Poble Espanyol are very diverse, providing options for all tastes and budgets. Quick street food and fine dining restaurants offer Catalan recipes, some with live music and performances.

Opening Hours and Ticket Prices for the Poble Espanyol

Opening Hours:

Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM - Midnight Monday: 10 AM - 8 PM

Ticket Price: €14.

How to Get There:

Metro: Line 1 and 3, Stop Espanya (Line 1 and Line 3) Renfe and Rodalies Train: Stop Sants Bus: Lines 13, 23, and 150, Stop Poble Espanyol Tourist Bus and Barcelona City Tour: Stop Poble Espanyol