There are many wonderful Gaudi sites in Barcelona. The city is filled with the wonder of his unique architectural style.
There is no need to book an organised tour though. It’s quite easy to see Gaudi’s architecture yourself.
Here is our Gaudi free walking tour Barcelona.
EXPERIENCE OUR GAUDI FREE WALKING TOUR BARCELONA
It is almost impossible to visit Barcelona without coming across Gaudi’s inspiration.
You could almost say that Gaudi is quintessentially Barcelona with his work being featured in apartment buildings, parks, houses and of course most famously, the cathedral.
Being someone who dreams quite vividly, his work made me wonder how Gaudi’s imagination worked. Did he dream his creations in waking hours or in his sleep? This I am unsure of, all I know is that his architecture is quite wondrous and certainly a place in which you can become lost for a few hours as you walk the city and take the wonder in.
If you don’t have time to see all of the Gaudi sites, here are three popular sites that you should include in your Barcelona intinerary. But for now you can join the adventure below.
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia was Gaudi’s masterpiece. A visit to the city isn’t complete without at least walking past this iconic church. He began working on it in 1883 and it is still being built today. Whilst the interior is predominantly finished, cranes still adorn the towers and work is conducted as money is available.
It was with this thought I was more than happy to pay my admission fee, which is the key source of funding to complete the project.
You will notice a gorgeous amber and green glow in the photos below. I visited at 3pm during summer, when the afternoon sun hits the golden stained glass and fills the main chamber of the cathedral with a delicious golden glow
When to visit La Sagrada Familia
You will notice a gorgeous amber and green glow in the photos below. I visited at 3pm during summer, when the afternoon sun hits the golden stained glass and fills the main chamber of the cathedral with a delicious golden glow.
If you visit in the morning, the opposite window lights up and you can basque in a blue green glow instead.
If you wish the visit the inside ot the cathedral, and oh we recommend you do, book a guided tour. Not only will you skip the line (even the skip the line line has a line, yes that is a lot of lines!), but you’ll be guided by a passionate guide who will share lots of facts with you and point out the meaning behind the different elements in the building.
It’s well worth the extra few Euros.
Casa Battlo
My jaw was fixed in an open position as I walked through Gaudi’s former home, which can only be described as wondrous. Parts of it seemed alive and I marvelled at the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory like atrium that ascended all floors and was domed with a marvellous glass roof.
Ascending to the roof, I saw why they often refer to this building as the ‘dragon building’ and after doing a double take of my luggage decided against a print before heading back to my hotel.
Parc Güell
Parc Guell has its origins in 1900 and was originally planned as a living community. Today it is an open air park filled with tiled and architectural wonders. There is also a house on the site that belonged to Gaudi and gives some insight into what the original concept for the land would have looked like if it had eventuated.
Parc Guell is very busy during summer, so book ahead, or arrive early to ensure your entry. An early arrival will give you plenty of time to continue to explore the city and perhaps visit one of Barcelona’s more unusual attractions like it’s beach front ice bar!
If you would like some more ideas on how to spend your time in Barcelona, check out A Pretty Wild World’s article, A Barcelona Travelogue or Travelling Tom‘s article The Definitive Guide to Barcelona. If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, you may want to take a day trip to Montserrat and take the cable car to the peak.
