Is Casa Vicens Worth It? Honest Review + Tips
Planning a trip to Barcelona and wondering if Casa Vicens is worth it? You’re in the right place!
As a travel blogger that lives in Barcelona, I’ve visited this lesser-known gem myself and can share what to expect.
As Gaudí’s first house, it’s a remarkable example of his early work, but it doesn’t get as much attention as his more famous landmarks.
If you’re unsure whether Casa Vicens is worth adding to your itinerary, I’ll break down what makes it special, what to consider before visiting, and whether it’s the right fit for you. Let’s get into it!
Is Casa Vicens Worth It?
Casa Vicens is absolutely worth it if you enjoy bold, unconventional design. As Gaudí’s first house, it’s bursting with color and Asian-inspired details, making it stand out from his later works.
The self-guided ticket gives you access to the first two floors, a small garden, a patio, and exhibits in the attic, plus an audioguide that provides interesting background on the house’s history and design.
My favorite part was the intricate tilework with yellow flowers and teal leaves, but the smoking room—covered in deep blue and gold—was just as impressive.
If you’re on a budget or don’t have a strong interest in architecture, you can still get a glimpse of the exterior from the outside.
But if you appreciate creative and over-the-top design, it’s definitely worth a visit. Plus, it’s lesser well-known so you won’t have to deal with the crowds like at other Gaudí landmarks.
Brief History of Casa Vicens Barcelona
Casa Vicens was originally built between 1883 and 1885 as a summer house for Manuel Vicens, a wealthy stock and currency broker.
As Gaudí’s first major commission, it showcases his early architectural style, blending Moorish, Oriental, and nature-inspired elements.
Over the years, the property changed hands and underwent several transformations. It once featured an expansive garden with a large waterfall structure and shrine to St. Rita, but the site became much smaller after portions of the surrounding land were sold off.
The house remained a private residence for over a century before opening to the public in 2017 after extensive restoration.
With its intricate ceramic tiles, decorative ironwork, and mix of geometric and organic motifs, Casa Vicens offers a rare glimpse into the beginnings of one of the world’s most famous architects and is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Casa Vicens Tickets
Here’s an overview of the types of tickets available at Casa Vicens:
Self-Guided Visit: From €18
The Self-Guided Visit is the basic admission ticket and includes:
- Audio-guided tour available in 15 languages
- Explore at your own pace
Guided Visit: From €23
The Guided Visit is the upgraded admission ticket and includes:
- Expert guide to accompany you for 60-75 minutes
- Available in Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Italian or Chinese
- Maximum 12 people
Note: Guided tours in English are only offered a few times a day so make sure to check the schedule online before planning your visit.
Sweet Gaudí: From €24
The Sweet Gaudi ticket includes:
- Audio-guided tour available in 15 languages
- Explore at your own pace
- Churros and chocolate at the cafe after the visit
Good Morning Gaudí: From €40
The Good Morning Gaudí ticket is the early access ticket and includes:
- Audio-guided tour available in 15 languages before 8:00am
- Explore at your own pace
- Maximum 20 people
- Only available on Saturday and Sundays
How to Save Money on Casa Vicens Tickets
Take advantage of these Casa Vicens discounts to save money on the entrance fee:
Buy the Barcelona Go City Card
If you’re planning on doing a lot of sightseeing in Barcelona, the Go City Card is a great option that provides a lot of discounts on major attractions.
They have both All-Inclusive passes and Explorer passes, where you can choose a pass that suits your trip.
The passes include access to 55+ Barcelona, Spain attractions, including Casa Vicens, Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, La Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Amatller, and more.
Buy the Barcelona Card
Another popular sightseeing card is the Barcelona Card, which includes a 20% discount to Casa Vicens.
It also includes free entry/discounted prices to a select list of museums and attractions. Plus, the major advantage of this card is that it includes unlimited public transportation.
Book Your Tickets Online in Advance
Another way to save is by booking your tickets online in advance.
You can save up to 4€ on the ticket price when you book online. Plus, you’ll get to skip the lines at the ticket office once you arrive.
Other Casa Vicens Discounts
Here are a few other discounts available at Casa Vicens:
- Children under 11 years old (free)
- Students from 12-25 years old
- Seniors over 65 years old
- People with functional diversity and those accompanying them
Visiting Casa Vicens
Here’s on overview of what to expect when visiting Casa Vicens:
Entrance
Once you arrive to Casa Vicens, you’ll find the ticket office where you can purchase or scan your pre-booked tickets.
Then you’ll proceed to scan a QR code to start the audioguide. The audio guide is played on your phone (wifi is available) but you’ll want to bring your own headphones to listen to the audio tour.
You’ll start the tour here, admiring the back of the house. One of the most noticeable elements is the vibrant ceramic tiles with yellow flowers, inspired by the wildflowers Gaudí saw growing on the property when he first arrived.
Garden
Just next to the entrance, you’ll find the lush garden area, filled with greenery, palm trees, and decorative ironwork featuring floral motifs.
While this space is now compact, Casa Vicens originally overlooked an expansive garden with a massive brick waterfall structure and a shrine to St. Rita, both of which were later demolished.
The garden provides a peaceful spot to appreciate the house’s exterior details, especially the contrast of the red brick, colorful tiles, and ornate balconies.
Although smaller than its original form, it still offers a glimpse into Gaudí’s vision of blending architecture with nature.
Main Floor
Stepping into the house, you’ll first pass through the entryway, where guests were traditionally welcomed.
The dining room is a highlight, featuring walls covered in ivy patterns and a ceiling adorned with laurel leaves, creating an immersive nature-inspired design.
From here, you can step out onto a porch overlooking the garden, with innovative shutters designed to control ventilation and keep the house cool.
The true standout of this floor is the smoking room, a lavish, small space reserved for men, decorated with deep blue and gold tones, colorful stained-glass windows, and intricate Moorish-style patterns covering the walls and ceiling.
Second Floor
The second floor offers a look into the private living spaces of the Vicens family, including the daughter’s bedroom, which stands out with its soft pink walls.
The bathroom and separate toilet room are beautifully decorated with detailed mosaic tiles, showing Gaudí’s early experiments with intricate patterns.
The main bedroom, which shares the same laurel-covered ceiling as the dining room, was originally divided into separate areas for men and women.
Another outdoor porch on this floor features built-in bench seating, providing a peaceful spot to take in the surroundings.
One of the most unique spaces is the women’s sitting room, which includes an innovative nook with bench seating, offering quiet retreat within the home.
Attic
The attic space serves as an exhibition area, offering a deeper look into the history and transformation of Casa Vicens.
A video presentation provides insight into the house’s history and design.
One of the most interesting displays features white 3D models showing different stages of the house’s evolution over time.
Rooftop
While not as expansive as the rooftop of Casa Milà, Casa Vicens’ rooftop still offers a unique perspective on the house and its surroundings.
The most eye-catching features are the chimneys, which are decorated in the same yellow and teal tiles that adorn the exterior.
Though the space is smaller, it’s a great spot to admire Gaudí’s signature design elements up close and reflect on the intricate details that make Casa Vicens such a standout example of his early work.
Casa Vicens Visitor Information
Here’s the basic visitor information you’ll want to know before visiting Casa Vicens:
Location
Casa Vicens is located at Carrer de les Carolines, 20-26 in the Gracia neighborhood of Barcelona.
You can get there easily by taking a taxi or by public transportation. The Fontana metro stop is just 2 blocks away from the house.
Opening Hours
Casa Vicens is open daily from 9:30AM-8:00PM (April-October) and 9:30AM-6:00PM (November-March). Casa Vicens will be closed on December 25 and from January 7-14, 2026.
The last entry permitted is 1 hour and 15 minutes before closing time.
How Long to Spend at Casa Vicens
You can expect to spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes at Casa Vicens, not including any time spent in the gift shop or cafe.
The audio-guided tour is self-guided so you can go at your own pace and spend as much time as you like exploring the house.
Tips for Visiting Casa Vicens
Follow these tips to make the most of your Casa Vicens experience:
- Consider purchasing one of the Barcelona tourist cards: If you plan on visiting multiple attractions in Barcelona, consider purchasing one of the Barcelona tourist cards like the Go City Card or the Barcelona Card. They offer discounts and/or free entry to many popular sites, including Casa Vicens.
- Book your tickets online in advance: Casa Vicens tickets can be purchased directly on-site but they cost 4€ more than booking online. Try to book your tickets online ahead of time to save money and skip the queues.
- Bring your own headphones: Headphones are not available at Casa Vicens so if you want to take advantage of the audio tour, make sure to bring your own headphones. Otherwise, you’ll just have to hold your phone up to your ear to listen to the tour.
- Save time for the gift shop: The gift shop at Casa Vicens is full of unique Barcelona souvenirs and Gaudi-inspired items. Make sure to save some time at the end of your visit to check it out. I bought a magnet tile with the yellow flowers which I really love!
Casa Vicens Gaudí: FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Casa Vicens:
What is special about Casa Vicens?
Casa Vicens is Gaudí’s first major work, showcasing his early architectural style with bold colors, Moorish and Oriental influences, and intricate tilework inspired by nature. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site and a rare example of his residential designs.
How do you pronounce Casa Vicens?
Casa Vicens is pronounced “KAH-sah vee-SENSS” in Catalan, with a soft “s” sound at the end.
Do you need to purchase Casa Vicens tickets in advance?
While it’s not necessary, booking tickets online in advance is recommended, as ticket prices online are cheaper than purchasing them on-site.
Is Casa Batlló or Casa Vicens better?
Casa Batlló is more famous and immersive, with dramatic organic shapes and interactive exhibits, while Casa Vicens is less crowded and showcases Gaudí’s early, more structured style. If you love bold colors and intricate tilework, Casa Vicens is worth visiting, but if you want a more iconic Gaudí experience, Casa Batlló is the better choice.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It To Go Inside Casa Vicens?
I hope this guide has helped you decide whether Casa Vicens is worth a visit!
As Gaudí’s first house, it offers a rare glimpse into his early architectural style, with bold colors, intricate tilework, and striking design elements that set it apart from his later works.
Its location in Gràcia means it’s a bit further from the city center and not as well-known, so you won’t have to fight the same tourist crowds as at places like Casa Batlló or La Sagrada Familia.
If you appreciate unique architecture and want to experience a less-visited Gaudí masterpiece, stepping inside Casa Vicens is definitely worth it.
Just don’t forget to book your tickets in advance and bring your own headphones for the audio tour!
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