Housed in a building that positively takes your breath away, the Mercat de les Flors theater aspires to the same level of spectacle in its intensive program of avant-garde dance and drama. Housing performances by an array of renowned international productions, it rarely falters in this pursuit.

The building itself is a mishmash of protruding facades and domes, situated on Montjuic hill, and built—as a few notable buildings in that area were—for the 1929 International Fair. It was designated for its current usage in 1983, and has since become a hub of Barcelona’s cultural scene. It is worth visiting at least once, purely for the opportunity to witness a performance in such an impressive venue, but some extra research—or an enthusiasts insight—illuminates the depth and range of quality on offer in its packed performance schedule.