A Complete Guide to Plan Your Visit to Barcelona Cathedral
The Barcelona Cathedral is a religious monument in the capital of Catalonia, Spain. Here's everything you need to know before visiting this famed attraction. Learn about the mass timings and the time needed to explore this famed Gothic structure. Read about the cathedral’s opening hours, the best time to visit, and other related information.
Where Is Barcelona Cathedral Located?
Address: Cathedral of Barcelona, Pla de la Seu, s/n, 08002 Barcelona, Spain.
Located on the gothic shores of the Balearic Sea, the Cathedral is the crown jewel of the Gothic Quarter area in downtown Barcelona. Overlooking the splendid Mediterranean landscape, the Barcelona Cathedral is surrounded by culture, food, and worship.
Getting to the Barcelona Cathedral
Here are the best ways you can get to Barcelona Cathedral:
By Bus
Take bus number- 45, 47, V15 or V17 to Via Laietana - Plaça Ramon Berenguer bus station. From there, the cathedral is 210 meters away by foot.
By Metro
There are two metro stations close to the cathedral. Take Line L4 on the Yellow Line to reach the Jaume I station. From here, take the 290-meter Carrer de la Palla route to reach the cathedral in under four minutes by walk. Alternatively, you can also take the L3 on the Green Line and get off at Liceu station near the Big Fun Museum. From here, take the 500-meter Carrer de la Palla route to reach the Barcelona Cathedral in under 7 minutes.
By Hop-On Hop-Off
The Hop-On Hop-Off Bus is a tourist bus service dedicated to covering multiple attractions within the city. The nearest stop for Barcelona Cathedral is Catedral - Gòtic.
Driving to Barcelona Cathedral
Getting to Barcelona Cathedral by Car
If you’re traveling from the Barcelona Airport, take the C-31 highway. Continue on B-22 for 1.4 km. Continue on B-22 before taking the exit onto C-31 towards the Barcelona Centre Ciutat.
Continue straight on the C-31 highway for 5 km before taking a right onto the Carrer de Pau Claris junction where the Barcelona Cathedral is located.
This 14.2 km route will take you from the airport to the cathedral in under 20 minutes.
Parking Facilities Near Barcelona Cathedral
The Barcelona Cathedral has two dedicated parking spaces and two public parking lots in close proximity.
- The Laietana Princesa Car Park is four minutes from the cathedral. It is also within 100 meters of the Jaume I, Yellow Line, metro station.
- The NN Palau de la Música Car Park is located 6 minutes from the Barcelona Cathedral. The car park is also close to the Urquinaona metro station.
- The SABA BAMSA Francesc Cambó Car Park is three minutes from the cathedral.
Suggested Route
- The Barcelona Cathedral has spell bounding sights all around. Start at the main door- It's built with a large Gothic arch and an archivolt.
- Take in the glass-stained window facade at the entrance.
- Proceed towards the elegant Catalan-Gothic style choir section that commenced construction in 1390.
- Gaze at the Door of Saint Ivo (located under one of the bell towers), the oldest door in the Barcelona Cathedral. It was also the main entrance to the historical monument for over 500 years.
- Go to the rooftop via the elevators to view the two bell towers, the two lateral pinnacles, and the picturesque landscape of Barcelona.
5. Visit the large pond at the Cloister, home to the thirteen magical white geese of the Cathedral.
6. Proceed to the Museum of the Cathedral near the Cloister. While it was originally a soup kitchen for the poor, you can now view notable paintings and art pieces by legendary artists.
7. Visit the magnificent Chapel of the Holy Sacrament and the serene Chapel of Holy Christ of Lepanto, constructed by Arnau Bargués in 1407.
8. Proceed to the Chapter house, a beautiful gallery decorated with the work of Pau Prim, a renowned artist.
9. Before exiting, check out the Cathedral Gift Shop for some exciting souvenirs.
Things to Do Nearby
La Boqueria Market
This exotic meat produce market is Barcelona's busiest indoor area for food enthusiasts. Located just 600 meters from the Barcelona Cathedral, the La Boqueria market is less than seven minutes away by walk.
Ciutadella Park
Visit one of Barcelona’s oldest parks dating back to the late 1800s. Complete with a zoo, a boating lake, museums, and serene walk paths, the Ciutadella Park is 11 minutes away from the cathedral.
Hemp Museum Gallery
This fascinating museum showcases the rich history and educates visitors on the various uses of hemp and cannabis. Housed in a 15th-century palace, this museum is less than seven minutes away from the Barcelona Cathedral on foot.
Sagrada Familia
Antoni Gaudí's historic unfinished church is one of the most surreal and picturesque sights in Barcelona. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is around 11 minutes away by car.
Picasso Museum
A classic homage to arguably the greatest artist to grace the canvas, the Picasso Museum is home to over 4,000 artworks by Pablo Picasso. This art studio is just seven minutes away from the cathedral by foot.
All Your Questions About Visiting Barcelona Cathedral Answered
A. The Barcelona Cathedral is open to tourists from 10:30 am - 6:30 pm on weekdays and 10:30 am - 5 pm on Saturdays.
A. The Barcelona Cathedral is located in the Gothic Quarter square, downtown Barcelona.
The Yellow Line, Jaume I station is just 290 meters from the Barcelona Cathedral.
A. Yes, the Barcelona Cathedral has two dedicated parking spaces and two public parking lots close by.
A. The Barcelona Cathedral is closed on Sundays for cultural and tourist visits until further notice.
A. It will take around 1.5 - 2 hours to fully explore the Barcelona Cathedral.
A. Yes, knees and shoulders should be covered before entering the cathedral.
A. The best time would be either on Monday at 9 am or between 5 pm to 6 pm on other days of the week.
A. Construction of the Barcelona Cathedral began over 720 years ago on the site of a Romanesque church.
A. Yes, The Cathedral Gift Shop offers pendants, crosses, and beautiful angel figurines.
