Passeig de Gràcia

The Basics

The Passeig de Gràcia is essentially a large open-air museum featuring a number of incredible buildings all on one avenue. Admire the works of many notable modernist architects while shopping along the Champs-Élysées of Barcelona at high-end boutiques such as Prada and Gucci.

Many walking and driving tours of Barcelona’s highlights take a closer look at the city’s famous architecture, including La Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, and along Passeig de Gràcia. Some tours include skip-the-line admission to La Sagrada Familia or a behind-closed-doors look at Gaudí’s La Pedrera. Hop-on hop-off bus tours stop nearby.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Passeig de Gràcia is a must for architecture and design lovers as well as shopaholics.

• Book a skip-the-line ticket to avoid notoriously long lines at La Sagrada Familia.

• Take a guided tour of Passeig de Gràcia to fully understand the avenue’s architecture.

• Passeig de Gràcia is accessible to wheelchair users.

How to Get There

Take the L1, L2, L3, L4, or L5 metro line to the Passeig de Gràcia or Diagonal station. Buses 7, 22, and 24 also run to this area. Alternatively, take a short walk from the Gothic Quarter to Catalunya Plaza (Plaça de Catalunya), where the avenue begins. La Sagrada Familia is about a 20-minute walk northeast of Passeig de Gràcia.

When to Get There

Barcelona experiences its high season in July and August. The shoulder seasons—generally in May, June, September, and October—are best for pleasant weather and thinner crowds. Winter is also a good time to visit for crisp, sunny days and almost no tourists.

An Architect’s Dream Street

The Passeig de Gràcia is home to some of the most beautiful architectural marvels in Barcelona, if not all of Spain. Notable buildings include the Casa Amatller by Josep Puig i Cadafalch; the Casa Lleó Morera by Lluís Domènech i Montaner; and Casa Mila (aka La Pedrera) and Casa Batllo by famous Barcelonian Antoni Gaudí, who also created the lovely design of the avenue’s pavement.

Ways to explore

You’ll undoubtedly take a stroll down this beautiful boulevard, dotted with shops, restaurants, and tapas bars, while in Barcelona. Many walking and driving tours of Barcelona’s highlights include a cruise down the city’s signature boulevard for a look at the exteriors of famed Gaudí buildings. To learn about his architecture in depth, opt for a Gaudí-focused tour, which may also include Sagrada Família and Park Güell. Options run from Segway and e-bike adventures to bus tours and private custom excursions. Other atmospheric options include after-dark tapas tours or a shopping trip with a personal stylist.

Accessibility

Wide, well-maintained sidewalks and frequent dropped curbs mean Passeig de Gràcia is barrier-free. Check access to sights, stores, and restaurants individually.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Something stylish if you’re planning on retail therapy.

What to wear

Even more so than in the rest of Barcelona, dress for the city, not the beach.

Not allowed

If you eat dinner before 9pm, Barcelona will feel like a dead zone.

Address

Passeig de Gràcia is right in the heart of Barcelona, running north from the city’s main square, Plaça de Catalunya.

Driving

You’d be mad to drive to Passeig de Gràcia. Walk, cycle, use public transportation, jump in a taxi or a rideshare, or hop on a tour—anything, really, but getting behind the wheel.

Public transportation

Catch the metro to Catalunya (Lines 1 and 3), Passeig de Gràcia (Lines 2, 3, and 4), or Diagonal (Lines 3 and 5): Diagonal is at the north end, Catalunya is at the south end, and Passeig de Gràcia is in the middle.

Best times to visit

Barcelona’s stores stay open into the evening, as do the Gaudí buildings in summer, so you can combine shopping, sightseeing, and dinner, while beating the heat of the day.

Best days to visit

Midweek is a better option than weekends if you want to avoid the crowds.

Best months to visit

Overtourism is an issue year-round in Barcelona; visiting in winter offers a more serene experience.

Special events

Plan your trip for December to enjoy spectacular Christmas lights.