Walking along the busy streets of Passeig de Garcia and La Rambla, you can’t help but feel the vibrant energy and exciting atmosphere propelled toward you from the locals, whether it’s the ones selling mouthwatering tapas and paella around every corner, to those proudly sporting jerseys of the local soccer team, FC Barcelona. 

But one thing that is undoubtedly awe-inspiring about the city is its world famous architecture. Surely a visit to Barcelona is incomplete without seeing first-hand the works of Antoni Gaudi, a Barcelona-based architect with his own distinctive style.

Gaudi’s work is known for its unique take on colorful ceramic tiles, stained glass and carpentry. He has become one of the biggest names in the Modernisme art movement, which reached its peak during the late 19th and early 20th century. 

Be sure to take a stroll with Gaudi and be awed by his work of art at these locations.

Sagrada Familia 

Though incomplete, the 135-year-old church is now the most visited monument in Spain. Considered  Gaudi’s masterpiece, the 170-meter-tall building looms over its surrounding buildings making it stand out in the Barcelona skyline. As you gaze upon the exterior, you will notice that the two opposite sides are strikingly different. Facing the east, as a nod to the rising sun, is the Glory Façade, which depicts the birth of Jesus. While facing the west, toward the setting sun is the Passion Façade, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. Each façade employs a very different style of carving.

Upon entering the church, you can’t help but marvel at how grand the interior is. The high ceiling and pillars are carefully designed to resemble trees and branches. While the iconic two-story-tall stained glass windows reflect sunrays into the church, adding a feel of grandeur to the overall unique interior. 

As you exit the church, be sure to enter the underground passageway and pay a visit to the architect’s final resting place. Yes, Gaudi’s tomb is located beneath the church, in a chapel dedicated to the Virgin of El Carmen.

A visit to Sagrada Familia will cost you 15 euros (US$16) and will contribute toward the construction of the church, which estimated to be completed in 2026.

(Read also: A truly Spanish experience in Madrid)

Park Guell

Surely you haven’t been to Barcelona until you’ve seen Gaudi’s colorful mosaic in Park Guell. As you reach the park, the first things you’ll notice are the two whimsical looking buildings at the entrance that look straight out of a fairytale book. 

The unique white roofs of the buildings make them look like they are eternally covered in snow. Walk further inside the park and the mosaic salamander known as El Drac will greet you by the steps leading up to the monument. 

Be sure to climb atop the main terrace and enjoy the view of Barcelona from above while surrounded by the serpentine bench with its endless colors of mosaic. As you wander around the park, you may come across a pink building with white windows and a blue roof, which will remind you of a fairytale castle. 

Be sure to make time to visit this wonder, as it used to be Gaudi’s residence, which has now been transformed into the Gaudi House Museum.

(Read also: Things to do in southern Spain: Explore heritage sites, tour olive oil farms)

Casa Batllo

As you stroll along the sidewalks of Passeig de Garcia, it’s impossible to miss Casa Batllo as it stands out from the other buildings in the busy shopping district. What used to be an apartment belonging to textile entrepreneur Josep Batllo is now one of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions. 

Its weird looking windows and porches will catch your eye the moment you pass it, and if you’ve had a chance to visit Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, you will instantly know from the mosaic covering the front façade of the building that it’s another masterpiece of Gaudi. 

What stands out the most about the building is the roof, where it looks like there’s a dragon perched on top of it. The roof is designed to look like a dragon’s back complete with the scales and spines, and it goes without saying, it’s all done in multicolor. To give a more whimsical feeling to the roof, Gaudi added not one, but eight chimneystacks all covered in his signature mosaic. 

But all that is not enough for Gaudi, a tower with a bulb-shaped top is also perched atop the buildings roof adding more of his signature style to the crowded roof.

As you enter the building, you will once again be awed by Gaudi’s signature stained glass window with sunrays illuminating from outside creating a disperse of light inside the building. It can only make you wonder what it was like for Josep Batllo of having the luxury to live in such an artful building in a very prestigious area. 

Tips

Since the three Gaudi masterpieces are considered must-visit sites in Barcelona, lines to enter can get really long. Also, some places like Park Guell have a limit of only 400 people inside. It is suggested that you buy the tickets online beforehand and pick a time to visit. By doing so, you will have secured a spot and avoid a long line. 

However, once you have bought a ticket with an appointed time, be sure to arrive on time, for the sites usually only give you 30 minutes to show up or else your tickets will no longer be valid. 

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The writer is a 26-year-old former TV reporter and a travel enthusiast who is currently pursuing a masters degree in Cardiff, United Kingdom. She loves anything pop culture and will always make time to travel to new exciting places.

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