La Colmena is one of Barcelona’s oldest patisseries. Founded in 1849, behind its golden 1950s façade it preserves the classics of Catalan confectionery. Here you will find artisanal sweets, crunchy carquinyolis (Catalan croquants) and light meringues that seem to come from a bygone era. The bakery workshop upholds recipes and techniques passed down through generations. Stepping inside the shop is like travelling back to a sweeter Barcelona, where time seems to be measured in trays of freshly baked pastries straight from the workshop.
This is good to know
- La Colmena is the ideal place for buying traditional sweets before a stroll through the Gothic Quarter or for enjoying a snack with a local flavour.
- Its façade, adorned with gold leaf details, was remodelled in 1950 by César Martinell, an architect and one of Gaudí's collaborators.
