When visiting Barcelona, most travellers want to discover Gaudí’s architecture, taste Catalan cuisine and explore the city’s historic neighbourhoods. But if you want to experience the real culture of Catalonia, there is one tradition you should not miss: castells, the famous Catalan human towers.
Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, castells are one of Catalonia’s most unique traditions. They represent teamwork, trust and the strength of a community working together to achieve something extraordinary.
If you’re looking for an authentic cultural experience during your trip, here is everything you need to know about castells in Barcelona and where to see Catalan human towers near the city.
What are "Castells"?
A castell is a human tower built by a group of people known as a colla castellera. Each tower is created by stacking different levels of participants, with the strongest members forming the base and the youngest climber, known as the enxaneta, reaching the top.
Building a castell requires incredible coordination, balance and trust. Some of the most impressive towers can reach more than ten metres high and involve hundreds of participants.
Although castells began more than 200 years ago, they remain a living tradition that continues to bring communities together across Catalonia.
Where to see Castells in Barcelona
Although the tradition has its strongest roots in other parts of Catalonia, Barcelona is one of the best places to experience Catalan human towers during your visit.
Plaça de Sant Jaume
Located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, Plaça de Sant Jaume is one of the most iconic places to watch a castell performance in Barcelona.
Throughout the year, especially during important celebrations and local festivals, different colles castelleres gather in this historic square to build their human towers in front of Barcelona City Hall and the Palau de la Generalitat.
The atmosphere is unforgettable: traditional music, crowds cheering, colourful shirts and the excitement of seeing the tower rise step by step.
Experience Castells during Barcelona's festivals
The best opportunities to see castells in Barcelona are often during the city’s traditional celebrations.
La Mercè Festival
Held every September, La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest annual festival and one of the best moments to experience Catalan traditions. Castell performances are usually part of the programme, bringing together some of the city’s most important groups.
Festa Major de Gràcia
Every August, the streets of Gràcia become one of Barcelona’s most vibrant areas thanks to its famous neighbourhood festival. Alongside concerts, decorations and local activities, visitors can often experience traditional Catalan events, including castells.
Festa Major de Sants
Another excellent opportunity to discover local culture, with neighbourhood celebrations that showcase Barcelona beyond the main tourist attractions.
Visit Valls: The birthplace of Castells
If you want to go deeper into the history of this tradition, a trip to Valls is one of the best cultural experiences near Barcelona.
Located around an hour and a half away, Valls is considered the birthplace of castells and remains one of the most important centres of castell culture.
Here you can visit the Museu Casteller de Catalunya, an interactive museum dedicated to the history and evolution of human towers. It is the perfect place to understand how this unique tradition developed and why it remains such an important part of Catalan identity.
Discover Castells in Tarragona
Another fantastic destination to experience Catalan human towers near Barcelona is Tarragona.
This historic coastal city is already worth visiting for its Roman heritage, medieval old town and impressive cathedral, but it also has a strong connection with the castell tradition.
During major celebrations such as the Santa Tecla Festival, Tarragona becomes one of the most spectacular places to watch human towers, combining Catalan culture with one of the region’s most beautiful historic settings.
