This year, Barcelona is paying homage to its most iconic architect – Antoni Gaudí – and commemorating the centenary of his death with a whole host of events. Long-time Barcelona resident and travel writer Esme Fox picks out the best.
On March 19th, Barcelona commemorated the anniversary of the laying of the very first stone of the Sagrada Família 144 years ago.
The event was celebrated by a spectacular concert from the Orfeó Català choir.
This was just one in whole line-up of events planned for the city’s Gaudí Year 2026, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the architect Antoni Gaudí’s death. This also coincides with Barcelona being named World Capital of Architecture 2026.
To mark the occasion, the city has planned more than 1,500 activities and 200 cultural and educational events. Here are some of the best anyone can attend.
Sagrada Família events
From April 27th to July 26th, the Sagrada Familia itself will be hosting a new exhibition entitled ‘The Sagrada Família and Barcelona. 144 Years of a Shared Journey’ looking at how the basilica has changed and evolved over the years.
June 10th will be the highlight of Gaudí Year with solemn mass to commemorate 100 years since the day that Antoni Gaudí died. The mass will be presided over by Pope Leo XIV. Right after the mass will be the blessing and inauguration of the Jesus Christ Tower, the basilica’s main central tower and the highest of them all. Although the initial plan was to complete the entire basilica by this date, it will now only be the completion of the tower. It’s likely to be another 10 years to complete the last facade.
From July 4th to November 15th, another exhibition will be held, called ‘Avinguda Gaudí, a Living Memory Between the Sagrada Família and the Hospital de Sant Pau’ looking at the relationship between the basilica and the Mondernista hospital of Sant Pau.
Park Güell events
On April 26th, a public dinner will be held celebrating 100 years since the park’s inauguration. It will be open to both residents and citizens.
From May 14th to December 13th, 2026 a photography exhibition will be held in the park entitled ‘A recer del Park Güell’ showcasing lesser-known details created by Gaudí.
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Palau Robert
On April 27th, a new exhibition will open in the gardens of the Palau Robert on the 144-year journey of the Sagrada Família.
Casa Vicens
In November, Gaudí Casa Vicens will celebrate the Year of Gaudí with the reopening of one of its most iconic rooms – the smoker’s room. After years of meticulous restoration, the original polychrome decorations created by Gaudí in 1885 will be on display.
Gaudí at El Palace Barcelona
On May 1st, El Palace Hotel hotel will launching its Gaudí Secret Garden, a hidden cocktail terrace on the hotel’s rooftop with views over the Sagrada Família. The rooftop will be transformed into a fragrant Mediterranean retreat, with a cocktail menu drawing inspiration from Gaudí’s imagination and Modernista elements.
On June 10th, the hotel will host an exclusive Gaudí Centennial Dinner on its Solarium terrace. From 10 pm until midnight, a large-scale projection mapping is expected to illuminate the basilica, which guests will be able to view.
Starting in October 2026, the hotel will begin serving its Gaudí-inspired afternoon tea served in the Great Hall. The menu will drawing on the architect’s artistic legacy.
Grand Hotel Central
The City’s Grand Hotel Central is hosting ‘100 Years of Design’, a bespoke tour developed with Barcelona Design Tours, which guides guests through the city’s architectural history, from Gaudí’s treasures to the often-overlooked Noucentist period.
Torre Bellesguard
In September, visitors can attend a series of concerts by the renowned conductor and cellist Jordi Savall at Torre Bellesguard, with a programme dedicated to the architect.
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Exhibitions at Barcelona museums
Later on in the year, the Museu d’Historia de Catalunya, will hold an exhibition dedicated to Gaudí’s creations. It will analyse them in light of their social context, the technology of the time and the relationship with their patrons.
The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC) is also preparing an exhibition on Gaudí, expected to launch in October, featuring previously unseen works recovered from the City Council’s storerooms.
