Discover 5 curious and lesser-known houses in Barcelona, from Casa Marsans to Casa Llopis Bofill, and create your own route by public transport. Hola Barcelona takes you there!
Barcelona is world-renowned for Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, and the Sagrada Família, but the city's Modernist heritage extends far beyond Gaudí's major icons. Tucked away among the streets of the Eixample and other neighborhoods are stately homes, mansions, and former bourgeois residences that offer a glimpse into another side of Modernism.
If you are looking for lesser-known houses in Barcelona, this route takes you to five unique buildings: Casa Amatller, Casa Marsans, Casa Golferichs, Casa Lleó Morera, and Casa Llopis Bofill.
Keep reading to discover the history of these grand houses and how to reach them by public transport using the Hola Barcelona Travel Card or the Barcelona Bus Turístic.
1. Casa Amatller: A Modernist Gem in the Block of Discord
Located on Passeig de Gràcia, Casa Amatller is one of Josep Puig i Cadafalch's masterworks and forms part of the famous Block of Discord (Mansana de la Discòrdia). Its facade, topped with a distinctive stepped gable, combines Neo-Gothic elements with architectural influences from the Netherlands. You'll find it right next to Casa Batlló!
How to get there:
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, and L4).
Bus: Lines 7, 22, 24, V15, and H10.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Casa Batlló - Fundació Antoni Tàpies stop (Red and Blue Routes).
2. Casa Marsans: A Modernist House with Oriental Flair
In the La Salut neighborhood, Casa Marsans is one of Barcelona's least-known stately residences. Built in 1907 by Juli Marial i Tey, it stands out for being designed around a central courtyard and featuring interior decorations inspired by Neo-Moorish styles. Today, it forms part of the Mare de Déu de Montserrat Hostel and can be visited free of charge.
How to get there:
Metro: Vallcarca (L3) or Lesseps (L3).
Bus: Lines 22, 87, V19, and H6.
3. Casa Golferichs: The Mansion the Neighborhood Saved
Casa Golferichs, popularly known as El Xalet, was designed by Joan Rubió i Bellver in 1901 as a residence for Macari Golferichs. Stone, brick, ceramic tiles, and wood define one of the most unique buildings in the Sant Antoni district. Although slated for demolition in the 1970s, local neighbors fought to keep it standing. Today, it serves as a community cultural center.
How to get there:
Metro: Rocafort (L1) or Urgell (L1).
Bus: Lines 52, 55, 141, H12, and V9.
Complete the entire route through all these houses with the Hola Barcelona Travel Card.
4. Casa Lleó Morera: A Total Work of Art
Also situated in the Block of Discord, Casa Lleó Morera is one of Lluís Domènech i Montaner's grand masterworks. The architect transformed the building into a true work of art, featuring mosaics, stained glass, and sculptures created by some of Modernism's foremost artists and craftsmen.
How to get there:
Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, and L4).
Bus: Lines 7, 22, 24, V15, and H10.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Casa Batlló - Fundació Antoni Tàpies stop (Red and Blue Routes).
5. Casa Llopis Bofill: The Trencadís House in the Heart of the Eixample
Designed in 1902 by architect Antoni Gallissà, this fantastic residential building on Carrer València stands out for its facade decorated with large polychrome red sgraffito panels and green accents on its roofs and windows. It is a building with immense personality that brilliantly showcases the mastery of applied arts in residential Modernism.
How to get there:
Metro: Verdaguer (L4 and L5) or Girona (L4).
Bus: Lines 19, 33, 34, D50, and H10.
Barcelona Bus Turístic: Sagrada Família stop (Blue Route).
A Route Through Barcelona's Houses by Public Transport
This tour allows you to discover new architectural gems in Barcelona beyond its most famous monuments. Plus, you can easily connect all these spots using public transport.
With the Hola Barcelona Travel Card, you enjoy unlimited journeys for 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 hours on the metro, TMB bus, tram, FGC, and Rodalies de Catalunya trains in Zone 1. It also includes round-trip metro journeys between the airport and central Barcelona.
Buy the Hola Barcelona Travel Card online with a 10% discount and discover Barcelona houses you didn't know before. Hola Barcelona takes you there!
