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Top 5 Must-See Sites on a Gaudi Architecture Tour in Barcelona Spain
There are many things to see, do, and eat in Barcelona Spain. 32 million people visit Barcelona in Spain each year. The architecture of Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926) is a top tourist attraction. With a little planning, it is easy to see the best of Gaudi’s architecture. Be sure to include these Top 5 Gaudi architecture sites in your self-guided tour and purchase your tickets to each attraction online to avoid the long waits at the counter.
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Gaudi moved to Barcelona in 1870 to study architecture and ultimately became the “Master of Catalan Modernism”. Gaudi’s architectural style combines Gothic and Art Nouveau. Antoni Gaudi was a religious man, he has been referred to as “God’s architect”. Religion and nature are focal points in his work; he is also known for his use of shapes and structures. He believed straight lines do not exist in nature and his fluid, curved designs reflect his belief. Gaudi created a process called Trencadis in which surfaces are covered with small pieces of broken ceramics, a theme found throughout his designs.
1. La Sagrada Familia
The Templo Expiatorio de la La Sagrada Familia is easily Antoni Gaudi’s most famous creation. Construction began in 1882 under the architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. He resigned in 1883 and Gaudi took over. La Sagrada Familia was Gaudi’s cathedral and became his life’s work from age 32 to 73. The building is an incredible mix of Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture Gaudi does so well. There are no straight lines or right angles in the design. The exterior facades tell the story of Jesus and his disciples.
The interior designs mimic nature. The church columns rest on top of turtles and are designed to resemble trees of a forest branching out to support the roof. Even the stained glass in the nave accounts for nature. The morning sunlight shines through the greens and blues symbolizing cool morning temperatures. At sunset, the light streams through shades of red and orange.
The construction of La Sagrada Familia is funded entirely from donations. The project was less than a quarter finished when Gaudi died in 1926. It is scheduled to be completed in 2026, 100 years after his death. Plan to spend several hours photographing the church’s sculptures. 2.8 million people visit La Sagrada Familia each year and tickets sell out. Purchase La Sagrada Familia tickets online as early as possible.
NOTE: there are elevators up the façade providing a view of the city and limited views of the tower sculptures. You must walk down the tower in a small space with many people; the walk is time-consuming. If you have limited time in the city, consider skipping the tower.
La Sagrada Familia
Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
2. Park Guell
Count Eusebi Guell purchased a hillside in 1900 to create a neighborhood for the wealthy. Gaudi was hired to design the houses and landscape. The Count died in 1914 and the project was discontinued. Park Guell was Gaudi’s park and he lived on the property from 1906 to 1926 in a home designed to be a prototype. The city opened the park to the public after Antoni Gaudi died in 1926. His home is now a museum.
The park sits on a hillside garden with stone structures covered in mosaic tiles. Must-see sites in the monumental area include the guardhouse, monumental staircase, and dragon fountain. Be sure to check out the views from the terrace, relax on the curved serpentine bench, and walk the covered footpaths.
13 million people visit Park Guell each year. Areas of the park are free to explore. A timed ticket is required to enter the monumental area. You are required to enter at the designated time and can stay as long as you desire. Tickets sell out. Purchase Park Guell tickets online to bypass the ticket line and ensure the desired date and time of entry.
Park Guell
Address: Carrer d’Olot, 08024 Barcelona, Spain
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
3. Casa Batllo
Joseph Batllo bought the property on the prestigious Passeig de Garcia and gave Antoni Gaudi full creative freedom to transform it. Gaudi’s love of animal and nature themes is evident in the design of Casa Batllo. The balconies resemble a human skull and the home’s columns are shaped like human bones. As a result, the property is sometimes referred to as the House of Bones. The entry staircase is made of wood and resembles a dragon’s vertebrae while the rooftop is designed to resemble a dragon’s back. The rooftop chimneys are decorated in mosaics to resemble clouds and rain. The interior is designed to mimic the sea. The central courtyard is covered in marine blue-colored tiles, the ceiling is shaped in wavelike swirls toward a sun-shaped chandelier and the stained glass windows have a water bubble appearance.
Be sure to purchase Casa Batllo tickets online. I suggest purchasing an early ticket, the lines for entry are long and you will have to wait. Avoid disappointment by preparing yourself for crowded spaces. The property was quite warm in the summer.
Casa Batllo
Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
4. Casa Mila
Pere Mila commissioned Antoni Gaudi to build Casa Mila in 1906. This property is also located on Passeig de Garcia a short walk from Casa Batllo. The exterior consists of 33 stoned balconies designed to resemble a cliff-like rock with caves. The property is often referred to as La Pedrera or the Quarry. The main floor was Mila’s residence. The upper 9 levels were divided into 20 apartments that are inhabited today.
There are 2 interior courtyards; standing on the ground floor looking up at the curved structure with skylights to the rooftop terrace is impressive. The rooftop terrace offers great city views and is adorn with surrealistic chimneys the audio guide refers to as guards of the natural world. Interestingly, the owners were unhappy with the design, and Gaudi had to sue for payment. This was the last residential project Gaudi worked on before he turned his sole focus to La Sagrada Familia. Casa Mila has two small elevators up to the rooftop causing long lines during peak times. Purchase Casa Mila tickets online to avoid the wait at the counter.
Casa Mila
Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
5. Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is the first home designed by Antoni Gaudi and one of the first Art Nouveau buildings. It is a single-family home built between 1883 and 1885. The design was inspired by oriental art, uses bold colors, and has Moorish influences in the tile work. This early design does utilize straight lines. This was Gaudi’s first rooftop terrace and the beginning of his ornate chimneys and ventilation ducts. Purchase Casa Vicens tickets online.
Casa Vicens
Address: Carrer de les Carolines, 20, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
Hour of Operation: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Must-See Examples of Modernist Architecture in Barcelona
Fans of Art Nouveau and Modernism may also want to add stops to the Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau and Palau de la Música Catalana. Both properties were designed by Lluis Domenechi Moontaner and are incredible!
1. Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau
Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau
Address: C. Sant Antoni Maria Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona
Hours of Operation: 9:00 a.m.- 7 p.m.
2. Palau de la Música Catalana
Palau de la Música Catalana
Address: C/ Palau de la Música, 4-6, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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