As anyone who loves Antoni Gaudí’s work knows, 2026 is a very special year. Just a few days ago, the final piece of the Sagrada Familia’s central tower was put in place 144 years after work began. When I saw the news I immediately flashed back to stepping around a construction scene there in the ‘90s and wondering when that day would come, and it’s incredible to know it’s now complete.
But the world’s tallest church isn’t the only Gaudi masterpiece to have a new addition in 2026. One of my favourite places to visit in Barcelona, Casa Batlló always fills me with pure joy as I imagine what it would have been like to be one of the lucky ones to live right here.
This spectacular house was designed by Gaudi between 1904 and 1906 for textile industrialist Josep Battló who happily gave Gaudi creative freedom to create what he wanted. The result is a house like no other, where the decorative architecture flows in an organic way that’s created the ultimate example of Catalan’s version of art nouveau.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site won Europe’s Best Immersive Experience in 2022 after they completely renewed their visitor experience. And in 2026 they opened a new contemporary art gallery to coincide with the centenary of Gaudi’s death. The Casa Batlló Contemporary space has been designed by local architecture studio Mesura and is on the second floor which was previously off limits to the public.
The new gallery includes ripples on the metallic ceiling, while the inaugural show Beyond the Façade by Matt Clark’s London based studio United Visual Artists includes kinetic sculptures, audiovisual elements, printed works and more. This first show runs until the 17th of May so you’ll need to get to Barcelona soon to see it, but somehow I have a feeling every exhibition here will be worth a visit.
In the Gaudi Cube room you can have a total Gaudi overload experience in a six-faced, 360º immersive LED cube as Refik Anadol’s latest installation, Gaudí Dreams, takes you through imaginary tunnels in the architect’s mind to see how Gaudi’s works are interrelated.
Meanwhile acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma has created a sculptural staircase in collaboration with Italian illuminator Mario Nanni that reinterprets Gaudi’s work as it plays with the light.
Then of course there is the thing that kept bringing me back to Casa Batlló long before any other artists were involved. The house itself.
Found on one of the most spectacular streets in Barcelona, Passeig de Gràcia, the house is a modernist masterpiece where I fell in love with EVERYTHING. While you can see some of the greatest elements from the outside, including the dragon scale roof, skull shaped balconies and columns that look like human bones, it’s not until you go inside that you get to experience the full effect.
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No matter how many times I visit, I still feel like I’ve stepped into another world. Everything from the organic shaped oak doors with coloured glass under a flowing ceiling to the blue tiles in the lightwell is totally bewitching. Meanwhile up on the rooftop, or dragon’s back as it’s sometimes known, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if those chimneys come to life when we’re not watching.
If you’re going to Barcelona and don’t want to miss out on one of the best Gaudi experiences the good news is Casa Batlló is open every day of the year from 9am to 7.15pm, or as late as 10.30pm if you’re there for Winter Nights where projections on the walls both inside and out add to the magic.
And if you’re travelling with children the good news is there’s plenty to keep them entertained beyond the fact that they’re in a super cool house. Tablets with augmented reality bring sections to life, there are interactive frames that show what life was like back in the Batlló family’s day, as well as holograms to look out for. And kids under 12 get in for free too.
Speaking of tickets, while you may be able to get some if you just turn up on the day I highly recommend checking the Casa Batlló website before you go to Barcelona. That way if you’re not sure what day you can go you can see how which sessions have sold out and which ones only have a few tickets left. Or better yet, grab your ticket as soon as you can so you know there’s no chance you’ll miss out on this must do experience in Barcelona.
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