A journey of light through modernista pavilions, to see the world through a child’s eyes
Some stories are read at eight and understood at forty… A little traveller who arrives from an asteroid, a rose that needs looking after, a fox who teaches the value of bonds. This Christmas, that universal story steps off the page to become light, music and emotion in one of Barcelona’s most beautiful settings.
A world premiere in Barcelona
From 19 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, Sant Pau Recinte Modernista is transformed into the universe of The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s celebrated work. This is the official immersive light experience of the book, and it is premiering worldwide in our city.
The route combines thousands of points of light, large-scale mappings, music, set design, actors, puppets and interactive installations. An experience designed for all ages, where visitors can observe, play, listen and discover, true to the spirit of the original work.
Anticipation is huge: the presale sold more than 10,000 tickets in under 24 hours.
The ice rink is back
In a long-awaited return, the ice rink comes back to Sant Pau Recinte Modernista after several years’ absence. The perfect way to round off a family visit during the festive season.
Practical information
- Dates: 19 November 2026 to 10 January 2027
- Closed: 24 and 31 December and 5 January
- Venue: Sant Pau Recinte Modernista, C. de Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167
- Getting there from our hotels: metro L3 to Diagonal, then L5 to Sant Pau | Dos de Maig
- Prices: Monday to Thursday tickets in November at €10; general admission up to €25.50; free entry for children up to 3 years old
- Ice rink: €6 to €12, linked to the general admission ticket; gloves required
- Tickets and opening times: elsllumsdesantpau.com, also at the ticket office in the afternoons, at the same price
A tip: Monday to Thursday tickets in November are the quietest and most affordable way to enjoy the experience.
Sant Pau, a garden city within the city
The setting deserves a visit in its own right. The former Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, founded in 1401, occupies a group of modernista pavilions that are among LluĂs Domènech i Montaner’s best-known works. The architect conceived Sant Pau as a city within the city and a garden city, so that patients could stroll in peace. Opened in 1930, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is considered the largest modernista complex in the world.
There is something poetic about a place created to care for people now hosting a story about tenderness, friendship and what truly matters. Mosaics, domes and gardens become the perfect planet for a little prince.
We suggest a small ritual before your visit: get off the metro at Sagrada FamĂlia and walk along Avinguda de GaudĂ, the semi-pedestrian avenue linking GaudĂ’s basilica with Domènech i Montaner’s complex. At dusk, with its modernista streetlamps lit, it is the perfect prelude to an evening of light.
A family Christmas, with us
The festive season is a time for reunions, for sharing and for making memories. And this year we have a special reason to celebrate: in 2026 we mark 200 years of hotel tradition in Barcelona. Two centuries in which eight generations of our family have opened their doors to travellers from all over the world, learning that true hospitality is, above all, about making every guest feel at home.
Our hotels await you in the heart of modernista Barcelona: Hotel Continental Palacete, on Rambla de Catalunya, with the Versailles Suite as the jewel of our family history, and Hotel Continental Barcelona, on La Rambla. After an afternoon of lights and magic, there is nothing like coming home to share a hot chocolate or a sweet treat at our 24-hour buffet, while the little ones keep dreaming of stars and asteroids.
Book your Christmas in Barcelona
Treat yourself to a few days to see the world through a child’s eyes again. Book your stay at www.hotelcontinental.com and experience the magic of The Little Prince at Sant Pau.
