Updated Jun 01 2023
Designed for the 1929 Universal Exposition, the Palauet Albéniz (Albéniz Palace in English) was built on the exhibition site itself, on Montjuïc Mountain, in the area now known as the Joan Maragall Gardens.
Highlights
During the exhibition itself the Albéniz Palace served as the official accommodation for the Spanish Royal Family, and today it still occasionally serves this purpose, when the King or a member of Spanish royalty comes to town.
As it was designed as a Royal residence, the guidelines for designing these types of buildings were generally followed, employing a fairly sober style with straight forms, using materials such as stone, red brick and slate, therefore resembling many other palaces of the Catalan ‘noucentista’ style, such as those of La Granja and Aranjuez.
Nowadays
As well as continuing to be the official residence that Barcelona City Council offers to the Spanish Royal Family when they visit the city, nowadays the Albéniz Palace is also used for some high-level receptions and functions, and it’s the site chosen by the City Council itself for celebrating the more formal official ceremonies.
The visit to the Maison Albéniz
Unfortunately it’s not usually possible to go inside the Albéniz Palace, as this privilege is reserved for special occasions such as during the Festes de La Mercè. If you’re not lucky enough for your visit to coincide with this open day, you’ll have to make do with admiring the palace’s impressive exterior, as well as the other beautiful elements of the Joan Maragall gardens, of which highlights include the monumental fountain, the amphitheatre and a series of sculptures that are located in various points throughout the gardens.
The inside of the palace is adorned with furniture, clocks, ornamental lamps and various works of art that were carried out by some of the major Spanish artists of recent centuries, a highlight of which is an element of the palace itself, the wonderful dome that was designed by Carlos Muñoz de Pablos.
Dalí: wall paintings
Goya: selection of tapestries
Ramon Casas: various paintings
Carlos Muñoz de Pablos: dome with coloured glass window
Photo gallery
Map
Address
Avinguda de L’Estadi (opposite the Olympic Stadium), Barcelona.
Opening hours
Inside: It’s only possible to go inside on a few special occasions.
Outside: The Joan Maragall gardens are open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 10:00 to 15:00.
Entry cost
Free of charge
How to get there?
Metro: Espanya (line 1 and 3).
Buses: Lines 9, 13, 27, 30, 37, 50, 55, 56, 57, 65, 79, 109, 157, 165 and the Tourist Bus.
On foot: You can walk to the Palace from the Poble Sec district.
Nearby places of interest
Olympic Stadium von Barcelona
Palau Sant Jordi
National Palace of Montjuïc
Magic Fountain of Barcelona
Olympic and Sports Museum of Barcelona