Avenida Tibidabo – Historic Boulevard & Modernist Villas
Walk this grand avenue from Plaza John F Kennedy to Tibidabo. Admire modernist villas, historic mansions, and dine in a restored architectural gem
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About Avenida Tibidabo
Avenida Tibidabo is a street that runs from Plaza de John F. Kennedy to the the Parc de la Font del Raca on the foot of Tibidabo mountain in the Collserola Natural Park and is built in the style of a Parisian boulevard.
Aveninda Tibidabo should not be confused with the Tibidabo summit where you will find the amusement park, although it serves as the gateway to the amusement park via the Tibidabo Funicular.
Avenida Tibidabo also forms part of my recommended walking route from Barcelona to Tibidabo. This scenic urban hike begins at Plaza John F. Kennedy and follows the avenue uphill toward the Collserola hills, passing modernist villas and historic landmarks before entering the forest trail near the Fabra Observatory.
Avenida Tibidabo History
Avenida Tibidabo is one of Barcelona’s most elegant boulevards, conceived as a gateway to the Tibidabo Amusement Park and the Collserola hills. The residential project was the vision of Dr. Salvador Andreu, a wealthy chemist and entrepreneur best known for his famous cough sweets. He imagined a broad, tree-lined avenue of modernist villas that would attract Barcelona’s elite to live outside the industrial Eixample grid.
The land, formerly vineyards, was acquired by Dr. Andreu’s Tibidabo Corporation in the early 1900s to develop a luxurious residential district. In 1901, the Tramvia Blau was inaugurated at his request to connect Carrer de Balmes with the Tibidabo Funicular, enhancing access to the mountain and amusement park.
Avenida Tibidabo stretches over 1.5 kilometers and is lined with historic mansions and landscaped gardens. These homes were designed to offer fresh air and tranquility, far from the pollution of the city’s factories. The avenue quickly became a symbol of prestige and modernity in early 20th-century Barcelona.
Today, many of the original buildings have been repurposed as private medical clinics, consulates, and university buildings. At the base of the avenue stands La Rotonda, a restored architectural gem that once served as a luxury hotel. Though not open to the public, its ornate façade and rooftop pagoda remain a highlight of any Barcelona architecture walk.
Image Gallery For Avenida Tibidabo
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Visiting Avenida Tibidabo
Visiting Avenida Tibidabo
Avenida Tibidabo is a must-see for lovers of modernist architecture in Barcelona. The street is lined with grand villas and historic mansions, many of which were built in the early 20th century and now serve as private clinics, consulates, or university buildings. Though most are not open to the public, their façades can be admired from the street, making this a perfect stop on a Barcelona architecture walk.
- Torre Andreu – La Rotonda: This iconic building at Avenida Tibidabo 2–4 was constructed in 1906 by Adolf Ruiz i Casamitjana, with its ornate rooftop pagoda added in 1918 by Enric Sagnier. The ochre stucco façade and wrought-iron balconies make it one of the most photographed modernist masterpieces in the city. Designated a Historical Monument in 1976, it now houses shops and restaurants on the ground floor, though the interior is not open to visitors.
- Torre Ignacio Portabella: Located at Avenida Tibidabo 27, this private residence was built in 1905 by master builder José Pérez Terraza. Its ochre stone façade and upper-floor frescoes are best appreciated from the street. A fine example of a modernist villa in Sant Gervasi.
- Casa Roviralta – Frare Blanc: This white villa with red brick accents was designed by Joan Rubió and built between 1903 and 1913 on the site of a former Dominican convent. Today, it houses the El Asador de Aranda restaurant, where you can enjoy traditional wood-fired meats and admire the building’s interior. Located at Avenida Tibidabo 31, it’s one of the few historic homes you can actually enter.
Walking up Avenida Tibidabo forms part of my urban hiking route from Barcelona to Tibidabo. This scenic walk passes modernist villas, historic landmarks, and leads into the Collserola Natural Park via the Fabra Observatory trail.
I recommend visiting Avenida Tibidabo as part of a circular route that includes Gaudí's Torre Bellesguard, the CosmoCaixa Science Museum, and the Tamarita Gardens.
Accessibility & What to Bring to Avenida Tibidabo
Avenida Tibidabo is a public street with no access restrictions. The avenue has a steady incline as it rises toward the Collserola hills, which may pose a challenge for visitors with reduced mobility or those using wheelchairs. While the sidewalks are wide and well-maintained, there are no dedicated ramps or handrails along the route.
Because this is an outdoor walking route, comfortable footwear is recommended. The street is shaded in parts by trees and historic buildings, but sunscreen and water are advisable during warmer months.
There are no lockers or storage facilities along the avenue, so bring only what you can comfortably carry. A small daypack or rucksack is ideal for personal items, especially if you plan to continue your walk toward Tibidabo mountain or the Fabra Observatory trail.
Avenida Tibidabo Summary of Prices
Train/Bus Fare
Entry Ticket
Additional Information
Train/Bus Fare
Entry Ticket
Additional Information
Adult
Zone 1 T-casual
FREE
Child
€ 1.25
FREE
Getting to Avenida Tibidabo
Address: Avenida Tibidabo, Barcelona, 08022
The easiest way to reach Avenida Tibidabo is via the FGC train station Avenida Tibidabo on the brown (L7) line. This station is located at the base of the avenue near Plaza John F. Kennedy, making it the ideal starting point for a Barcelona architecture walk or urban hiking route to Tibidabo.
From the station, you can walk uphill along the boulevard, passing modernist villas and historic landmarks. The Tramvia Blau has been permanently closed and replaced by the TC2 shuttle bus, which connects Plaza Kennedy to the a href='https://www.barcelonatravelhacks.com/barcelona/tibidabo-mountain/tram-blau-and-funicular'>Cuca de Llum Funicular — the new transport system to reach the summit of Tibidabo mountain.
Use a T-Casual or Hola Barcelona travel card for unlimited rides on public transport — perfect for exploring Sant Gervasi and the Collserola Natural Park.
Documents for Avenida Tibidabo
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Where to stay overnight near Avenida Tibidabo
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