Teatro Aquitània

Teatro Aquitània is a small theater in Barcelona, located in the Eixample district, specifically in the La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample neighborhood. The building at Avinguda de Sarrià 33 carries a layered history stretching back to the mid-20th century, and today combines a working stage with the legacy of a former neighborhood cinema.

How do you get to Teatro Aquitània?

The venue sits in the western part of Eixample, close to the boundary with Les Corts. Travelers relying on the metro can reach the area within a short walk or a quick bus connection from nearby lines serving this part of the city. The surrounding blocks are mostly residential, lined with buildings from the interwar and postwar periods, which adds an architectural backdrop worth noticing on the way to a show.

What is the history behind the building?

The building opened in 1945 as the Infanta cinema and operated for decades as a local neighborhood screen serving the residents of Eixample. That role continued until November 22, 1991, when the hall came under the management of the Filmoteca de Catalunya and became one of its screening rooms. This chapter lasted more than twenty years, during which the building remained an active part of Barcelona's film scene. A turning point came on July 12, 2013, when the space reopened its doors under a new identity: a theater named Aquitània Teatre.

What can you see today at Aquitània Teatre?

The current program features a mix of theatrical works, ranging from one-person shows and comedies to other stage formats aimed at a local audience. The venue has kept part of its cinematic identity, pairing stage productions with occasional film screenings, a combination that sets it apart from many other stages in the city. The interior still carries the atmosphere of an old cinema hall, which can be an attraction in itself for visitors interested in Barcelona's architectural and entertainment history, regardless of what is playing that week.

When is the best time to visit?

Timing a visit depends largely on the current schedule, since the program changes seasonally and performances are typically staged in the evenings and on weekends. Travelers hoping to combine a Barcelona trip with a show here should check the schedule before arriving, as the venue does not operate as a daily open attraction but as an active theater with set performance dates.

Who is this venue for?

Aquitània Teatre appeals most to visitors interested in Barcelona's cultural life beyond the standard tourist circuit — those looking for an intimate setting, a local audience, and a program performed in Catalan or Spanish. It is also a worthwhile stop for anyone interested in cinema history, given the building's long run as a neighborhood cinema and later as a Filmoteca de Catalunya screening room.

Frequently asked questions

What was the Aquitània Teatre building originally used for? It opened in 1945 as the Infanta cinema and functioned as a neighborhood movie theater in Eixample for decades.

When did the venue become a theater? After years as a Filmoteca de Catalunya screening room starting in 1991, the building reopened on July 12, 2013, as a theater under the name Aquitània Teatre.

Where exactly is the theater located? At Avinguda de Sarrià 33, in the Eixample district, within the La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona.

Are films still shown at the theater? Yes, alongside theatrical productions — one-person shows, comedies, and other stage formats — the program occasionally includes film screenings, echoing the venue's cinematic past.