Whether you already know who he is or not, you can’t visit Barcelona without seeing some of Antoni Gaudí’s most brilliant architecture. Gaudí was a Spanish architect and designer from Catalonia, who combined his passions for architecture, nature, and religion into his work until his untimely death after being hit by a tram a century ago. He was even a vegetarian; refrained from drinking alcohol; and reused trash, broken materials, and other items in his work. His magnum opus, though still incomplete, is the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, the most visited monument in Spain (and one of the most visited in Europe). Visiting the Basilica should be at the top of your list when visiting Barcelona (and something you need to book well in advance, because tour slots fill up quickly). But you can see many other Antoni Gaudí buildings in Barcelona, too.
Here is my list:
Parc Güell
Parc Güell is one of my favorite spots on this list, and it’s over 100 years old (its construction began at the turn of the previous century in 1900). It’s a beautiful architectural park that once housed half a million inhabitants and was home to Gaudí’s residence. The entire park is the creation and masterpiece of Gaudí’s, and you could easily spend an entire day here. I highly recommend taking a guided tour (and booking it well in advance), and you can book additional experiences for an extra cost. It gets crowded very fast, so be mindful.
While at Parc Güell, you can also take a tour of the Gaudí House Museum (known today as Torre Rosa), where Gaudí resided during the last two decades of his life, prior to his tragic, fatal tram accident.
Basílica de La Sagrada Familia
The greatest work of Gaudí’s career and exemplification of his genius is the monumental Basílica de La Sagrada Familia. As mentioned above, it is the most-visited landmark in Spain and one of the most-visited in Europe, and for good reason. It is an architectural marvel, and it’s stunningly beautiful. I spent most of my time staring up at the glass-stained windows and ceiling. It is still a church, so you should be mindful of how you dress and behave while touring the building. Construction is expected to be completed this year (2026), so there’s never been a better time to visit.
Casa Milà
Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera, is another one of Barcelona’s most recognizable buildings and was the last private residence built by Gaudí prior to his death. It is one of the more controversial buildings due to its unconventional architectural style, but it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the 80s. It’s been featured across popular media; for any Dan Brown fans, it’s mentioned in his novel, “Origin”, but you can also see it in the movie “The Passenger”. It’s a visually stunning building, and if you have the time, you should take a tour (I wish I had).
Casa Batlló
One of my favorite experiences throughout my time in Barcelona was a night tour of Casa Batlló, which I recommend if you’re able to swing it. It’s another residential building designed by Gaudí, and it’s another of the many masterpieces of his on this list. It’s easily one of the world’s most recognizable buildings, too. It’s known locally as Casa dels ossos, or “House of Bones”, and is in the Eixample district, a short walk away from Casa Milà. Casa Batlló also became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. about two decades ago.
Casa Vicens
If you want to see the architect’s very first home, visit Casa Vicens. It’s a beautiful house, and they even host workshops and other activities! It’s definitely one of the least-visited buildings on this list, but it’s Gaudí’s first architectural masterpiece and well worth the visit. You can do a guided or self-guided tour, and it doesn’t take more than an hour or two. It’s located in the Gràcia neighborhood, so you could stop here before or after your tour of Parc Güell.
Palau Güell
Palau Güell was constructed by Gaudí in the late 1880s, and is located in the El Raval neighborhood (and is another UNESCO World Heritage Site). It’s another of the architect’s most intricate and visually stunning masterpieces. You can also do a guided Secret Palau Güell if you’re keen, and it was also seen in the movie “The Passenger”. And if you can’t make it to Barcelona but still want to visit, the website offers a 360° virtual tour on their website!
Colonia Güell Crypt
Lesser known on this list is the Colonia Güell Crypt, which is one of Gaudí’s unfinished works. Construction was halted due to the death of Count Eusebi de Güell, who had commissioned Gaudí for the project. The crypt, built in the early 1900s, was the only part of the church completed at the time, while the chapel remains incomplete.
Did I miss any of your favorite Antoni Gaudí buildings in Barcelona? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll make a note to visit them on my next trip to Barcelona.
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