3 show venues you absolutely must visit in Barcelona

Barcelona is a gorgeous and lively city with a rich cultural scene. There are a variety of events taking place at any given time in the city. If you are planning to buy tickets to a show or simply want to explore the place where the main shows happen in the city, there are 3 venues you absolutely must visit in Barcelona.

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#1 Palau de la Música Catalana

Photo by M. Peinado via Visualhunt

This dazzling Modernist building was designed by one of the most important architects in Spain, Lluis Domenèch i Montaner, built in the beginning of the 1900s for Orfeo Català. Located on Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt, hidden among a number of ordinary constructions, the building catches passersby off-guard with its impressively adorned façade.

Standing outside, you will see a collection of sculptures, mosaics, and flowers that represent motifs of the Catalan popular music. The interior of the building is also very interesting, and the foyer and cafe area can be visited for free. But if you want to see the jewel of the Palau de la Musica, it’s main concert hall, you will either have to buy a ticket to a show or pay for the guided visit.

Palau de la Música Catalana is located at Carrer Palau de la Música, 4-6.

#2 Gran Teatre del Liceu

Frequently referred to as simply “Liceu”, Gran Teatre del Liceu is a theater and opera house, which first opened its doors in the first half of the 1800s. The building, which some say is cursed, was severely damaged in a fire that happened in 1861. Liceu opened its doors again a year after that after being rebuilt by architect Josep Oriol Mestres. The building suffered another great setback when it was bombed in 1893. Liceu opened its doors again the following year, only to be destroyed by fire once again in 1994. Fortunately, the theater was once again rebuilt, and today is one of the most important show venues in all of Catalonia.

The word that better describes Gran Teatre del Liceu‘s style is, without a doubt, grandiose, with its shiny marble floors, gold-adorned columns and red-carpeted stairs. The main showroom is really a thing of beauty, combining red and golden and a sumptuous ceiling ornament that attracts as much attention as the shows performed on stage.

Gran Teatre del Liceu is located at La Rambla, 51-59.

#3 Teatre Nacional de Catalunya

Photo by Francesc_2000 via Visualhunt

Teatre Nacional de Catalunya is a post-modern building designed by Catalan architect Ricardo Bofill. The public theater opened its doors n 1996 and has since featured a variety of shows by national and international creators.

The Teatre‘s most stunning features can be seen from the outside since the building’s façade presents the elements that cause the most impact. Reminiscent of a Greek temple, the venue has 26 columns that are 12 meters high, and the building’s main exterior walls are made almost completely out of glass, with a large red dot with the TNC placed right at the center.

Teatre Nacional de Catalunya is located at Plaça de les Arts, 1.

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* Main photo by thoth188 via Visualhunt