Casa Amatller: the art nouveau residence of a master chocolatier

The Passeig de Gràcia is home to several architectural masterpieces of the Art Nouveau period (known as modernism in Catalonia). Casa Amatller, an original and colourful residence, is one of the street’s most iconic sights and is well worth a visit.

Casa Amatller, an Art Nouveau icon in Barcelona

As its name indicates, Casa Amatller was the home of Antoni Amatller, a rich industrialist and the head of the Amatller chocolate company, a point of reference in Spain and across Europe during the 19th and 20th Centuries.

Towards the end of the 19th Centrury, Amatller bought a building on the Passeig de Gràcia and comissioned Josep Puig i Cadafalch, who sits alongside Gaudí and Domenech i Montaner as one of the period’s most important architects, to renovate it. The building was completely transformed, from a neo-classical residence to a daring art nouveau masterpiece.

 

Casa Amatller is located on the Passeig de Gràcia between Carrer Consell de Cent and Carrer Aragó. When the renovation project was first completed, it stood out as the only modernist building in the block. This soon changed, however, with the inauguration of Casa Lleó i Morera (renovated by Domènech i Montaner) and Gaudí’s Casa Batlló within a few years of each other. There’s plenty to look at in this area of Barcelona!

Visits to Casa Amatller

The first floor

Visiting Casa Amatller is like travelling back in time. The house has been perfectly restored to its original splendour, as it was at the very beginning of the 20th Century.

Whilst Antoni Amatller owned the whole building, he only occupied the prestigious first floor. This is the part of the building which is open to visits. In addition to modernist architecture, vistors can admire the work of the many artisans involved creating the furniture and ornaments on display. Casa Amatller is the only house of this period in Barcelona where the original furniture can be seen in its original context.

Closed to the public for many years, Casa Amatller has undergone several phases of restoration over the last 50 years. The latest phase, completed in March 2015, was the most spectacular.

 

The kitchens, café and chocolate shop

Once you’ve finished visiting upstairs, head down the service staircase to the former kitchens, now transformed into a café and chocolate shop. Only to be expected, really, since Antoni Amatller was a third-generation master chocolatier…

A whole range of Amatller chocolates are available to buy. Our favourites are the ones presented in pretty art nouveau boxes: Antoni Amatller worked in collaboration with Muchat, a famous artists, to create packaging for his products. A great gift idea for people back home!

Information

Book a tour

• Guided tours are available in Spanish, Catalan and English.
• Short tours of Casa Amatller run every 30 minutes from 10am to 6pm (except 11am, 12pm and 5pm). A more detailed one-hour tour is available at 11am (English), 12 noon (Catalan) and 5pm (Spanish).
• Chocoholics may wish to take the short tour + Spanish hot chocolate option, available at 4.30pm and 6pm.

Ticket prices for Casa Amatller

1 hour guided tour: 

• Adult: €24
• Concessions (over-65s, students): €21.60
• Children aged 7-12: €12
• Free for under-3s

40 video guided tour: 

• Adult: €19
• Concessions (over-65s, students): €17.60
• Children aged 7-12: 9.50
• Free for under-3s

• Top tip! Do you fancy a cup of delicious hot chocolate? If you buy tickets through this link, the entrance includes a cup of hot chocolate at Casa Amatller!

Prohibited objects

To avoid the possibility of damage to Casa Amatller, the following objects are prohibited within the building:

• Backpacks, umbrellas and any other object which might damage the decoration or furniture in the house. A cloakroom is available for visitors.
• Crutches: wheelchairs are available to borrow if necessary.
• Photography is only permitted without flash. No tripods or selfie sticks.
• No stilettos.

Bonus: the café at Casa Amatller

We strongly recommend stopping off at Faborit, the café on the ground floor of the building, before or after your visit to Casa Amatller. It operates on a self-service principle and offers a range of healthy menus including great salads, fresh juices and hot drinks, such as coffee, lattes, a range of teas and homemade hot chocolate.

Admire the charming modernist decor from your seat at the big wooden table. If you’re lucky, you may even find a free space on the terrace, which even has a swing seat!

In any case, wherever you end up, you’re sure to spend a pleasant hour or two in this unique location!

Enjoy your visit… and the chocolate 😉