Get in touch with your arty side on the Gaudí trail in Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí is one of Barcelona’s most celebrated architects and a visionary whose fantastical designs define the city’s skyline. Born in 1852, in Catalonia, Gaudí brought Art Nouveau to Barcelona and pioneered Catalan Modernism, blending Gothic and organic forms with bold, colourful mosaics and intricate ironwork. A common theme in his work is his deep-rooted religious faith and his love of nature, something that is evident in the design of Gaudí's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, his lifelong masterpiece, still under construction today. For Gaudí, Barcelona was a canvas on which structures such as Casa Batlló, La Pedrera and Park Güell brought his vivid imagination to life. Visiting these sites is an experience and an invitation into a dreamlike world. Today, it is impossible to think of Barcelona without conjuring up images of his work. His lasting imprint on the city draws millions of visitors each year, eager to walk in the footsteps of this creative genius.

If you are travelling to Barcelona and want to experience the genius of Antoni Gaudí in person, a well-organised self-guided Gaudí tour in Barcelona is essential. Since Barcelona is famous for its museums and vibrant nightlife, the city gets busy so securing timed-entry tickets for the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell well in advance is a must, as these landmarks sell out quickly. 

Next, decide which landmarks are on your must-see list and begin plotting your route out on your map. In terms of getting from place to place, Barcelona’s metro system is reliable but for a more eco-friendly and immersive experience, consider renting an e-bike or strolling from place to place. Need some help getting around? Follow this example route and marvel at the Modernist masterpieces that Gaudí gifted the city of Barcelona.

The best place to start your Gaudí trail in Barcelona is the Raval neighbourhood, ideal for those staying at the Barceló Raval Hotel. Known as being one of Barcelona’s most creative and bohemian corners, expect to find chic design shops, colourful street art and major art centres such as the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art and the Centre of Cultura Contemporània. Not to mention, here you can begin your tour by discovering iconic sites such as the Palau Güell.

The luxurious Palau Güell is a magnificent townhouse that belonged to the family of Spanish entrepreneur Eusebi Güell. Güell commissioned Gaudi to design a modern townhouse destined to entertain members of high society. Palau Güell is built with stone, coated with marble and decorated with hand-carved wood and iron and is a magnificent example of the early days of Gaudí’s architectural imagination. The central living room features a parabolic dome perforated to let in sunrays and moonbeams to give the ceiling a planetarium effect.

Take a guided tour of this beautiful attraction free of charge and discover all the secrets of the Palau. 

Continue your Gaudí tour of Barcelona in the Eixample neighbourhood, perfect if you are staying at the Occidental Diagonal 414. This area is very central and is packed with cute cafés, stylish bars and plenty of places to shop, all a short distance from the Plaça de Catalunya. If you are a fan of antiques, it is worth noting that this corner of the city is home to the Mercat El Encants market which is a treasure trove for vintage finds. Yet, it is Gaudís influence that has really put this place on the map. Here you can find Casa Batlló and La Pedrera (Casa Milà) on the grand Passeig de Gràcia as well as the famous Sagrada Familia.

With its conventional appearance, the Casa Calvet is rather unusual looking for a Gaudi building, yet still extremely remarkable. This building is one of his earliest projects and unlike the majority of his subsequent work, this attraction reflects symmetry, balance and an orderly rhythm, however, subtle modernist features are what illustrate the Gaudi effect.  You’ll also find a charming restaurant on the ground floor. 

Casa Batlló is a renowned townhouse located on the prestigious Passeig de Gràcia. This was an old conventional house renovated by Gaudí, which now boasts an outstanding exterior consisting of ceramics, stone and forged iron. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is characterised by its skeletal structure, colourful façade and curved roof. With balconies resembling fragments of the skull, columns on the first-floor taking the shape of human bones and a ceiling replicating a ribcage, a tour around this Gaudi attraction is unlike anything else you will see in the city.

Casa Milà, commonly known as La Pedrera, is more a sculpture than a building and was recognised by UNESCO on the World Heritage list in 1984. The façade is a harmonious mass of undulating concrete and stone with twisted iron balconies. Take a walk out onto the terrace and admire the rooftop sculptures and chimneys up close. La Pedrera also hosts art exhibitions and evening concerts. The complex is a site not to be missed and one of the most imaginative houses in the history of architecture.

Perhaps the best Gaudí site in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia is an enormous, yet unfinished Roman Catholic church that has been under construction since 1882, and is expected to be completed in 2026, 100 years after Gaudi’s death. Attracting approximately 4.5 million visitors every year, the Sagrada Familia is certainly the crown jewel of Barcelona’s wonderful sights. You can opt to visit the Sagrada Familia while you are in the neighbourhood or, save this spot for last and enjoy seeing the setting sun reflected in the glass of its facade at the end of your Gaudí trail in Barcelona.  

Begin your experience at Sagrada Familia by walking around its enormous perimeter and taking in the sheer scale and incomparable exterior of the building. The church will have three grand façades; the Nativity Façade on the eastern side, the Passion Façade on the western side, and the Glory Façade, which is currently under construction and will become the main entrance to the basilica. Each façade illustrates amazingly intricate carvings and sculptures of famous scenes from the Bible.

Although the exterior is itself a work of art, you’ll need plenty of time to explore the breathtaking interior, with its magnitude, light and décor. Climbing one of the towers will also give you exclusive views over Barcelona. Due to its overwhelming popularity, long queues are to be expected, so book in advance to skip to the front and guarantee a quick entry.

Since you are already on the Passeig de Gràcia, continue further into the Gràcia neighbourhood, often described as a village inside Barcelona. This area is well known for its relaxed energy, inviting plazas and coolest bars in the city. If you are visiting the area in August, you will also be blown away by the area’s street parties known as the Festes de Gràcia which take place each year. However, it is here that you will also find the first house Gaudí designed along with top Gaudí sites such as Park Güell. 

Built between 1883 and 1888, Casa Vicens was the first of Gaudi’s masterpieces in Barcelona in which he was truly able to display the full range of his talents. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, this unique residential project was made for a wealthy family and is now a museum.

Standing in the peaceful neighbourhood of Gràcia, the incredible building contains a significant variety of ceramic decorations and is elegantly swathed with spectacular green and white tiles. During your visit, discover the variety of materials he incorporated into the design, such as iron, glass, ceramic tiles, and concrete. 

Opt for a guided tour to ensure you don’t miss out on any of Gaudi’s hidden gems and the stories behind them. As the building’s ceramics are the most popular and recognised feature, the museum offers visitors brilliant interactive experiences, including the chance to have a go at ceramic flower painting and create tiles with carnations. Tickets can be booked online to avoid missing out. 

Park Güell is an exclusive Gaudi public park in Barcelona composed of enchanting gardens and architectural elements, located on Carmel Hill in Barcelona. Gaudi spent 15 years designing and building whimsical fountains, mosaic benches, pedestrian walkways, and gingerbread house-like buildings within Park Güell. Embark on a peaceful stroll through the park and admire Gaudi’s majestic masterpieces, as well as the house of Gaudi himself. 

While the above gives you a pretty exhaustive list of the top sites to visit on your Gaudí trail in Barcelona, there are still some must-visit places further afield. If you have time during your holiday in Barcelona and fancy a short day trip, head to these must-see Gaudí houses to visit in Barcelona. 

Colonia Güell, also known as Gaudi’s crypt, is an irregular oval shaped church that was constructed in 1898. It was built as a place of worship for the people in a manufacturing suburb in Santa Coloma de Cervelló, and is considered one of Gaudi’s more hidden gems. The crypt is built in basaltic stone bricks with stunning mosaics giving it an archaic appearance. Explore its mesmerising interior and appreciate the full repertoire of Gaudi in Barcelona. 

When looking for Gaudí locations in Barcelona, you cannot miss the Bellesguard Tower. Tucked away in the Sant Gervasi district, far from the usual Gaudí tourist trail, Bellesguard Tower is one of the architect’s most underrated gems. This work was constructed between 1900 and 1909 in a neo-Gothic style, inspired by a medieval castle, home to Martin I the last king of the Catalan dynasty, that once stood on the site. Here you can observe the typical Gaudí Modernist touches—sharp, angular lines softened by intricate mosaics and organic details. However, unlike his more flamboyant works, Bellesguard maintains a more restrained style, yet no less magical. What’s more, Its hilltop location offers sweeping views over Barcelona, making it a perfect hidden treasure for those craving an escape from the city and a deeper dive into the world of Gaudí. It is definitely one to add to your list if you want to tour Gaudís Barcelona.