Following in the Footsteps of Gaudí: Exploring the Creations of Barcelona’s Most Famous Architect

Gaudí has played a major role in shaping the Barcelona that we know and love today, with his neo-Gothic style on show in Park Güell, Casa Milà, and his masterpiece, the Sagrada Família.

The beauty of Gaudí’s influence is that it can be found in the most unlikely of places and makes taking a free walking tour of Barcelona an enriching activity to add to your itinerary.

Gaudí is certainly Barcelona’s Brunel, but where can you find his best feats of architecture? Let’s take a deeper look at the unmissable attractions that deserve to be added to your itinerary:

1. Sagrada Família

The most famous landmark in the Catalan skyline and a feat of architecture that needs no introduction, the Sagrada Família is an unmissable Catholic church to visit, whether you’re planning a city break or a longer stay in Barcelona.

Sagrada Família has been under construction since ground was broken in March 1882 and is finally due to be completed next year, on the 100-year anniversary of Gaudí’s death.

Known for its unmistakable four spires, the church carries plenty of hallmarks of Gaudí’s architectural stylings, including its carefully decorated curves and Art Nouveau details.

With tickets starting at €26, getting up close and personal with Gaudí’s masterpiece feels worth every penny.

2. Park Güell

Another simply unmissable place to visit on your Barcelona itinerary has to be Park Güell. Offering stunning city panoramas, the park promises to be unlike any other you’ve visited.

When Catalan industrialist and art patron Eusebi Güell commissioned Antoni Gaudí to design a park that was fitting for Barcelona’s early 20th-century urban expansion, few could’ve anticipated such a colourful and vibrant result.

Each level of the park, which rises to offer views of the entire city, is adorned with mosaics, ceramics, and snaking benches offering the perfect spot to stop and watch the world go by.

The steps can get a little tiring in the heat, so make sure you bring comfy shoes and prepare for breathtaking views of the city and its luxurious Catalan coastline.

3. Casa Batlló

Located in the heart of the city, Casa Batlló is a building that carries all the hallmarks of Gaudí inside and out.

Formerly known as the ‘House of Bones,’ the building appears to refuse to sit still and bursts with rich details, curved windows, and stained glass flourishes that give Casa Batlló a life of its own.

One detail to look out for is the dragon’s spine roof arch at the very top of the building, next to four colourful chimney stacks that appear to be shimmering in the sun.

With tickets starting at €25, Casa Batlló is a great and centrally located curiosity to include in your itinerary.

4. Casa Milà

Another building that showcases the creativity of Antoni Gaudí is Casa Milà, which was built between 1906 and 1912 and is currently the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.

Thanks to its gravelly appearance, Casa Milà has earned the nickname ‘La Pedrera,’ which translates to ‘The Stone Quarry,’ and almost seems otherworldly when exploring the building’s rooftop that’s punctuated by small windows looking inward.

Tickets for Casa Milà start at €25 and promise to transport visitors into the creative mind of Barcelona’s iconic architect.

5. Church of Colònia Güell

Gaudí has a taste for unfinished works, and the Church of Colònia Güell is another example of a structure that’s grown in character because it’s incomplete but still full of character.

Designed to be one with the nature surrounding it, the church is bursting with colour inside its crypt, and curved pillars give the impression that the building doesn’t want to sit still.

Construction was halted in 1914 following the death of Count Güell, but the Church of Colònia Güell still stands as the perfect tribute to Gaudí’s imagination and has gained some added whimsy with its unfinished brickwork.

Discovering Gaudí

Barcelona is a city that draws visitors in from far and wide for its unique architecture. To discover the art of Gaudí, the budget-friendly hop to Catalonia appears to be an opportunity worth taking.