Barcelona Gaudi | TravelSavvy guide to Gaudi in Barcelona

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Photo: Angelo CesareGaudi's bizarre architectural sights

It's 400 steps to the top of the Sagrada Familia - save yourself a heart attack by taking the lift
Catch a bus to Parc Gueill - it's a wonderful park and not far out
La Pedrera and Casa Mila are different names for the same Gaudi building

Barcelona holidays:
Gaudi sights

Antoni Gaudí is the architect that put Barcelona on the international map. Today, his influence is still found across the city and most will visit his stunning buildings or the Parc Güell.

Sagrada Familia

Begun in 1882, the Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s most ambitious and famous work. The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia started life as a modest church in a neo-Gothic style – until Gaudi took over the work.

After he finished the Parc Gueill in 1911, Gaudí devoted himself entirely to the church and lived on site in a workshop until he was run over by a tram and died two days later in June 1926. Work stopped and wasn’t resumed until the 1950’s, unfortunately without Gaudi’s plans, which were destroyed by anarchists in 1936.

There have been numerous arguments over how to finish the building, or even to leave it as shell and memorial to the architect. But work goes on. It now has a roof over the central nave, and a completion date of 2026 - the centenary of Gaudi's death - is the latest estimate. You can take the lift up the tower – or climb the 400 steps – for an amazing view of both the building and the city.

La Pedrera

Officially the Casa Mila, it’s popularly known as La Pedrera, and is one Gaudi’s most famous structures. Built from 1905 to 1911, the apartment block curves around the street corner in a rippling design said to have been inspired by the mountain of Montserrat.

There is an exhibition with fascinating models while the crazy rooftop is not to be missed. Night tours are particularly enjoyable.

Parc Güell

Gaudi worked on the park from 1900 for his patron Eusebio Güell. It’s located in the area of Gracia and was the architect’s most ambitious project after the Sagrada Familia. It was planned as a large private housing estate although only two homes were built, one now housing the Casa Museu Gaudi.

The park was opened to the public in 1922 and features pavilions, decorated lizards, a Hall of Columns and a ceramic bench. It all seems excessive, yet it works and is hugely enjoyable with views back over the city. Take the #24 bus from Placa de Catalunya or the metro to Vallcarca and walk from there down Avinguda de l’Hospital.

Güell Palace

Gaudi was fortunate in finding a rich client in the industrialist Eusobio Güell and the Güell Palace was one of his early projects, near the southern (seaward) end of the Ramblas.
It's decorated with glazed tiles and the arches and ceilings show the typical twists and shapes of his work. There are frequent guided tours in English but queues soon form and it can be a lengthy wait.