Royal Monastery of St. Mary of Pedralbes (Monestir de Pedralbes)
Baixada del Monestir, 9, Barcelona, ESP
Originally constructed in 1326, Barcelona’s Monestir de Pedralbes, a church and monastery-turned-museum, is one of the city’s most striking examples of Catalan Gothic architecture and the Pedralbes quarter’s oldest building. The cloister has been carefully reconstructed, while the small but impressive chapel is home to both spectacular 14th-century Ferrer Bassa murals and the ornamental grave of Queen Elisenda, who lived in the monastery for a time.
As one of Barcelona’s most arresting attractions, the Monestir de Pedralbes can be seen on some convenient hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour routes, ideal for travelers on a time budget. You can also purchase entrance tickets in advance online or enter for a reduced rate with some city pass schemes. However you choose to visit though, dedicate plenty of time to wandering the Monestir de Pedralbes’ central courtyard, herb garden, and fountain, as well as learning about the nuns who once served there.
- History buffs and architecture lovers will especially appreciate the 14th-century Monestir de Pedralbes, replete with religious artefacts and ornate furnishings.
- Purchasing your ticket in advance online will save time on the day at this popular attraction.
- Children under 16 enter free year-round, making the Monestir de Pedralbes an affordable option for travelers with kids.
- Multilingual audio guides are available at the Monestir de Pedralbes, as are guided tours and child-friendly activities.
- The Monestir de Pedralbes is accessible to wheelchair users, has a braille map, and guided tours for people with visual or learning difficulties, among others.
Barcelona’s Monestir de Pedralbes is conveniently located in the Pedralbes quarter, northwest of the city’s principal neighborhoods. Reach the Monastery on Line 3 of the Metro, alighting at either Maria Cristina or Palau Reial. Alternatively, take one of the following bus routes: H4, V5, 63, 75, or 78, or make Monestir de Pedralbes a stop on the Blue Line of the Barcelona Bus Turístic.
The Monestir de Pedralbes is closed on Mondays and may have shorter opening hours on holy days, as well as closures on select religious and public holidays. Admission is free after 3pm on Sundays and on special, select days throughout the year, while opening times vary slightly between summer (April-September) and winter (October-March). Check in advance of your visit.
After paying a visit to Monestir de Pedralbes, take some time to explore the wider neighborhood and see parts of Barcelona some travelers may miss. Pass by the Palau Reial de Pedralbes, once the residence of Spanish Royalty, and look out for work by Antoni Gaudí. Then, cross the vast Avinguda Diagonal and stop by Barcelona FCs famous football stadium, Camp Nou.
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