Culture

Introduction

Barcelona's reputation as a world centre for art, architecture and design is growing yearly, with a plethora of cultural activities on offer.

The Guía del Ocio booklet (www.guiadelocio.com/barcelona), available from newsagents and news stands, provides information on cultural events in the city. Alternatively, there is a cultural information desk at Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla 99 (tel: (93) 316 1000; www.bcn.cat/virreinacentredelaimatge). Caixa Catalunya run the central ticket agency Entrada (tel: 902 101 212; www.telentrada.com).

Music

Gran Teatre del Liceu
Barcelona's opera house is the stunning Gran Teatre del Liceu, rebuilt in 1999. It hosts a mix of in-house productions and co-productions with leading international opera houses.

La Rambla 51-59
Tel: (93) 485 9900.
Website: www.liceubarcelona.com

L'Auditori
L'Auditori is one of Barcelona's major classical music venues, home to the Orquesta Sinfónica de Barcelona y Nacional de Catalunya. 

Carrer Lepant 150
Tel: (93) 247 9300.
Website: www.auditori.org

Palau de la Música Catalana
The main concert hall in Barcelona is the Palau de la Música Catalana, a UNESCO World Heritage building and one of the most extravagant music venues in the world. Sunday concerts here are a Barcelona institution. It was designed by modernist architect Domènech i Montaner, as a showcase for the Catalan renaissance.

Carrer Palau de la Música 4-6
Tel: 902 442 882.
Website: www.palaumusica.org

Theatre and Dance

L'Espai de Dansa I Música de la Generalitat de Catalunya
The city's main venue for ballet and contemporary dance is L'Espai de Dansa I Música de la Generalitat de Catalunya (referred to simply as L'Espai). A more relaxed atmosphere is in evidence on Sunday mornings, in the square in front of Catedral de la Seu, Plaça de la Seu, when locals flock to watch and participate in the local dance - the sardana.

Travessera de Gràcia 63
Tel: (93) 414 3133.

Teatre Lliure
Barcelona's theatre scene does not enjoy the same international reputation as Madrid, but what it lacks in literary authority, it makes up for in the visual and audio spectacle of its performances. The theatre scene in the city is lively and well attended, including work by regional and international playwrights. Popular venues include Teatre Lliure which hosts an adventurous array of theatre and dance that occasionally spills on to the square outside.

Plaça Margarida Xirgu 1, Montjuïc
Tel: (93) 228 9747 or 902 101 212 for tickets.
Website: www.teatrelliure.com

Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (TNC)
A varied programme of drama, music and dance is on offer at the spectacular Teatre Nacional de Catalunya. The theatre, designed by Ricardo Bofill, has three performance spaces, where a good mix of contemporary and classical pieces as well as a fine contemporary dance programme are staged.

Plaça de les Arts 1
Tel: (93) 306 5700.
Website: www.tnc.cat