Casa Batlló: how to see it, and whether to go inside
Gaudí's "House of Bones" on Passeig de Gràcia is a 1904 to 1906 makeover of an older building, with a dragon on the roof and balconies shaped like masks. The façade is free to see from the street, and it makes far more sense with someone telling you what it means. The inside visit takes about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Our city bike tour stops in front of it.
Casa Batlló at a glance
- What it is
- A town house remodelled by Antoni Gaudí in 1904 to 1906 for the textile industrialist Josep Batlló
- Address
- Passeig de Gràcia 43, Eixample
- Metro
- Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)
- Inside visit
- About 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes
- Ticket
- General Visit from €29 online; €4 to €15 more at the box office; free under 12
- Open
- 9:00 to 19:15
- On our tours
- Barcelona Bike Tour
Prices and hours checked on casabatllo.es on 9 November 2026. They change, so check again before you book.
What you see with us
The Barcelona Bike Tour rides up Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona's grandest avenue, to Gaudí's houses. We stop at the spot with the best view of Casa Batlló and its neighbours, not just the nearest corner, and always leave time to take photos and look around on your own.
While you look, your guide tells the story of the place: what the dragon on the roof is doing there, why the balconies look like skulls, and the facts and anecdotes behind the most photographed block in the city.
We don't go inside: entry isn't part of the tour. Seeing it with a guide first is a good way to decide whether you want to, and to know what you're looking at when you do.
- Passeig de Gràcia
- Casa Amatller
- Casa Batlló
- Casa Milà
- Sagrada Família
What our guides tell you here
A dragon on the roof
The curved roof, covered in scale-like tiles, is usually read as the back of a dragon, and the tower with its cross as the lance of Saint George, Barcelona's patron saint, who slays it. Gaudí never explained it himself, which is part of the fun.
The House of Bones
Look at the lower floors: the columns look like bones and the balconies like masks or skulls. That is why people in Barcelona have long called it the "Casa dels Ossos", the House of Bones.
The Block of Discord
Casa Batlló stands on the same block as Puig i Cadafalch's Casa Amatller and Domènech i Montaner's Casa Lleó Morera, three star architects competing on one street. In Spanish "manzana" means both a city block and an apple, so the locals named it after the golden apple of discord from Greek myth.
Light that works its way down
Inside, the central light well is tiled in blues that get darker towards the top, and the windows grow larger towards the bottom. The result is that light is spread evenly from the roof to the ground floor.
Gaudí under your feet
The hexagonal paving stones on Passeig de Gràcia, with their sea creatures, are a Gaudí design too. Look down while you look up.
Visiting the inside
- Buy online. The General Visit starts at €29 online, and the same ticket costs €4 to €15 more at the box office. Children under 12 go in free.
- Allow an hour to an hour and a quarter. The visit runs through the main floor, the light well, the loft and the roof terrace with the dragon up close.
- Bags. There are no lockers, so come without large bags or luggage.
- Accessibility. The house is fully wheelchair accessible, including the roof terrace. Strollers are not allowed inside.
Combining it with the bike tour
Ride first and go in later, and you will know what you are looking at.
- Morning tour at 10:15, back at 13:15: book a Casa Batlló slot for the afternoon.
- Afternoon or evening tour (14:30 or 17:15): visit the house in the morning.
- From our meeting point in the Gothic Quarter it is two stops on the L4 from Jaume I to Passeig de Gràcia, or a 20-minute walk.
“This was a great activity for a family with older children and a fun way to see some of the main tourist attractions. Our guide was excellent giving facts in a fun and engaging way”
Barcelona Bike Tour
Three hours, from the Gothic Quarter to Gaudí's houses, the Sagrada Família, Ciutadella and El Born. Small groups, guides in English, French, Dutch or German. ★ 4.8 from 1,017 reviews on GetYourGuide.
About Casa Batlló
Can I see Casa Batlló on a bike tour?
Yes. Our Barcelona Bike Tour stops in front of it on Passeig de Gràcia, at the spot with the best view, with time for photos and the story behind it from your guide. Entry to the house is not included.
How long do I need inside?
About an hour to an hour and a quarter for the General Visit.
Is it cheaper to buy tickets online?
Yes. The General Visit starts at €29 online and costs €4 to €15 more at the box office. Children under 12 go in free.
Is Casa Batlló worth it if I've seen Casa Milà?
They are very different. Casa Batlló is a single family's house, full of colour and light; Casa Milà is a large apartment building famous for its rooftop. If you only go inside one, see both façades with a guide first and choose then.
Is Casa Batlló wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the whole visit is accessible, including the roof terrace. Strollers are not allowed inside.
Last updated 9 November 2026.