When you think of modern Barcelona there is one name that stands out- Gaudi. The term gaudy is derived from the artist and architect’s name. Antoni Gaudi was the best known Spanish architect of the late 19th century and into the 20th century. He was one of the founders of the modernist art and architecture movement that displaced the very traditional designs that proceeded him. He incorporated mixed mediums into his designs- ceramics, glass, sculpture all melded along with curves and spires and designs that today scream modern but at the time were outrageous and rule breaking. Unlike so many artists who must wait until they are dead to achieve any degree of real fame- Gaudi had fans in his own time and you can see his visions brought to life all over Barcelona. There are many tours which will take you to a variety of Gaudi sites or you can print out this list, use a map and explore on your own. Many offer tours ( for a fee) others you can view from outside. You do not want to miss these landmarks- many of which are world heritage sites on your trip to Barcelona.
1. The Sagrada Familia– This is Gaudi’s masterpiece. Construction began on this gothic cathedral in 1882 and is expected to be completed finally in 2026. You can visit it today- just make sure you book skip the line tickets or be prepared to wait all day to get tickets for your chance to go inside. The hop on hop off bus tours that go through the city all stop here.
Address- Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
2. Casa Vicens- this is a private home built for a wealthy brick maker and is one of the first Art Noveau homes in the city. This is a world heritage site. Right now this property is for sale- if you have the money you may be able to purchase it. Here is the real estate listing site http://www.casavicens.es/ Here is the link for info on the site http://casavicens.org/?lang=en
Address- Carrer de les Carolines, 18-24 08012 Barcelona
3. Guell Pavillions– The Güell Pavilions were built between 1884 and 1887 by Antoni Gaudí. The pavilions were built for a summer residence of the wealthy Catalan industrialist Eusebi Güell.
Address- Av. de Pedralbes, 7, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
4. Palau Guell- The Palau Güell was designed by the young Gaudí and is a wonderful blend of medieval opulence and the architect’s unique exuberant style. Completed in 1890, the building was the private residence of Gaudí’s patron, Count Güell. The Palau Güell is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address- Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 3-5, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
5. Teresian College – Located in the neighborhood of Sant Gervasi in Barcelona, at 85 Ganduxer Street, you will find the College of the Teresians, a work carried out between the years 1888 and 1890. You may see the exterior of the college.
Address- Ganduxer 85-105 Barcelona
6. Casa Calvet- The Casa Calvet de Barcelona (1899) is one of Antoni Gaudí’s earliest buildings. Some people consider it his most conservative work but it also contains markedly modernista elements, such as the façade which terminates in a curve and the attic balconies, which look like something from a fairy tale. The ground floor now houses a restaurant.
Address: Carrer de Casp, 48, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
7. Bellesguard- The Torre Bellesguard, which is currently owned by the Guilera family who still live in part of the house, was designed by Antoni Gaudí and built between 1900 and 1909. The building has straight lines which were seldom seen in his work and was inspired by the medieval castle where King Martin the Humane once lived, parts of which can still be seen in the gardens of the house. Address: Carrer de Bellesguard, 16, 08022 Barcelona, Spain
8. Park Guell – Park Güell, one of Gaudí’s masterpieces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This garden-city project was commissioned by Eusebi Güell but never completed. It eventually became the property of Barcelona City Council. The result is a public park full of imagination and colour where every detail expresses Antoni Gaudí’s desire to integrate architecture into the surrounding natural setting.
Address: Carrer d’Olot, s/n, 08024 Barcelona, Spain
9. Casa Milà, La Pedrera – This is one of the most important of Gaudi’s designs. When Pere Milà commissioned Antoni Gaudí to build a residential block, it gave the architect the perfect opportunity to bring to fruition one of his most complete works. Built between 1906 and 1912, the Casa Milà occupies an entire corner of the Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona’s Eixample.
Address: Provença, 261-265, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
10 . Casa Batlló – The Casa Batlló is one of Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces and an iconic modernista landmark. Situated on Passeig de Gràcia, this building stands out from the rest due to its eye-catching design and colour. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
11. Church of Colònia Güell- also Gaudi’s Crypt – The Church of Colònia Güell (Catalan: Cripta de la Colònia Güell, IPA: [ˈkɾiptə ðə ɫə kuˈɫɔniə ˈɣweʎ]) is an unfinished work by Antoni Gaudí. It was built as a place of worship for the people in a manufacturing suburb in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, near Barcelona (Spain). Colònia Güell was the brainchild of Count Eusebi de Güell, however with Güell losing profits from his business, the money was depleted and only the crypt was completed.
Address: Calle Claudi Güell, 08690 Colònia Güell, Santa Coloma de Cervelló, Barcelona, Spain
12. Sagrada Família Schools– these are the school buildings that are attached to the temple that is La Sagrada Familia. They offer tours and a variety of programs that the public can participate in.
There are many tour operators that offer multi-site tours featuring the work of Gaudi that operate in Barcelona.
Shore Excursion Group is one site that offers many options for cruise guests and people just lookng for a nice day trip while in the city. Prices are reasonable and there are a lot of tours to choose from depending on how much time you have and what you want to see.
A favorite of mine is always Viator- they have even more options that frequently do not get listed anywhere else.
For budget friendly options- consider one of many free walking tours offered in the city including many options for visiting Gaudi sites.