Teatre Nacional de Catalunya

Architect Ricardo Bofill was inspired by classical tradition when designing the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya: the building is reminiscent of an imposing Greek temple, with twenty-six 12-metre high columns, an enormous gabled roof and an entrance staircase surrounded by palm trees.

Opened in 1996, it covers 20,000 m2 and is surrounded by a landscaped area, which is used for outdoor performances. The inner lobby was intended to be like a covered public square, protected by glass and decorated with indoor plants. This agora serves to create a public theatre for promoting the excellence of performing arts in Catalonia, and to serve as a meeting point between those who create them and their audience.

The main building has a 1,000 m2 restaurant, located above the stalls of the Sala Gran. The has 900 seats, arranged in the style of a classical amphitheatre to allow full visibility of the stage. The building has 300 seats, apart from those in the Sala Gran. There is also an annex building on the theatre grounds, which houses the Sala Tallers, a hall that can seat 400.

The Teatre Nacional de Catalunya is located in Plaça de les Arts, next to the Auditori only a few metres from Plaça de les Glòries, where you can visit the Torre Glòries and the Disseny Hub, other remarkable examples of the city’s contemporary architecture.

How to get to the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya?

The Teatre Nacional de Catalunya is located opposite the Glòries stop on the Barcelona Bus Turístic Red Route, in c/ Zamora. Travelling along Av Meridiana, you will find the Theatre on the right-hand side of c/Padilla.

For the more curious of you

• Did you know? The Teatre Nacional de Catalunya is a leading performing arts centre in Barcelona, which is considered to be one of the cities in Spain with the most vibrant cultural scene, together with Madrid and Valencia. Considering its population density, it has the most cultural centres per inhabitant of the three cities.
• Local’s tip: On your visit to the Teatre Nacional we recommend allowing time to appreciate the exterior architecture of the building, its gardens and the views of the lower part of Barcelona. Also if you plan your visit, you can take in the shows organised, or sign up for a guided tour. On these tours you can see the Theatre's facilities, as well as visit lesser-known areas such as the dressing rooms, storerooms, backstage, rehearsal rooms and workshops. This is an activity open to all ages, and one that can be enjoyed as a family.
• A must: lovers of the theatre, and of culture.