Visit a selection of 217 landmark buildings during the year Barcelona is World Capital of Architecture
On 24 and 25 October, 48h Open House BCN returns, and this year is a very special one, as Barcelona is the 2026 World Capital of Architecture.
It is the perfect moment to discover what lies behind the façades: quiet courtyards, grand staircases, Gothic halls and contemporary spaces that are almost never open to the public. For one autumn weekend, this hidden city lets itself be discovered.
The privilege of crossing the threshold
The essence of the festival is both simple and exciting: opening doors that are usually closed. In its 17th edition, 48h Open House BCN will open 217 buildings free of charge, 63 of them included in the programme for the first time. These are private, institutional, restored and newly built spaces that, for two days, become a living museum of the city.
The experience has a touch of personal discovery. Visiting a home, a transformed factory or a contemporary tower lets you understand how people live and work in Barcelona, beyond the postcard images. Many visits are led by architects and volunteers, who help you see and understand each space through the eyes of true architecture lovers.
What you can discover in this edition
The programme combines heritage, restoration and contemporary architecture. Highlights include the Llotja de Mar, the Edifici Estel, the Palau del Marquès d’Alfarràs next to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta, and the Museu Etnològic i de Cultures del Món. The route spans from Roman remains to present-day buildings, by way of Catalan Gothic, Neoclassicism and Modernisme.
The festival extends beyond Barcelona and also includes Badalona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Joan Despí, Vilassar de Dalt and Sitges. In addition to the open visits, there are more than 200 activities and seven themed itineraries.
Practical information
- Dates: Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026
- Price: free admission
- Access: most spaces can be visited without prior registration; some itineraries and buildings require pre-registration
- Opening hours: these vary by building; check the programme before planning your route
- Official programme: 48hopenhousebarcelona.org
- World Capital of Architecture: barcelona.cat/capitalmundialarquitectura
Find out here which buildings you can visit by neighbourhood and/or town
A tip: some buildings draw long queues. On the event’s website and social media you can check how busy each space is in real time, as pre-registration is only required for routes and activities. Choosing three or four visits per day in advance, grouped by neighbourhood, will help you enjoy more and wait less.
An idea born in London that Barcelona has made its own
The Open House concept was born in London in 1992 with one conviction: architecture belongs to everyone and should be experienced, not just admired. The idea spread to cities around the world, and Barcelona joined in 2010. Since then, the festival has become one of the most beloved cultural events of the Barcelona autumn.
Two bases for enjoying the 48 hours
A weekend of open doors calls for a location that lets you move around freely. Our hotels offer two privileged starting points. Hotel Continental Barcelona, on La Rambla, places you a pleasant stroll from the Llotja de Mar, the Gothic Quarter and La Ribera. Hotel Continental Palacete, on Rambla de Catalunya, opens the doors to the Eixample and the Quadrat d’Or, the city’s great open-air museum of Modernisme.
Between visits, our sweet and savoury buffet, open 24 hours a day at both hotels, lets you recharge at any time, with no schedules to limit your route.
Book your architecture weekend
Barcelona invites you to discover it from the inside. We look forward to welcoming you so you can enjoy 48h Open House BCN with the calm, comfort and warmth that define us.
Book directly at www.hotelcontinental.com
