You don’t want me to let you know there are such a lot of well-known buildings to see in Barcelona! However to make it a bit simpler to plan your journey, I’ve bought 10 of Barcelona’s most well-known buildings to see whenever you go to Barcelona!
There actually is nowhere else in Europe that does structure like Barcelona. A few of the most well-known architects in historical past, like Antoni Gaudí, used Barcelona as a canvas to construct quirky, majestic and groundbreaking (no pun supposed!) buildings. And there are many spectacular medieval, Gothic and up to date examples across the metropolis too.
Listed here are 10 of probably the most well-known buildings it’s important to see in Barcelona
1. La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia (or Basilica of the Holy Household) is surely probably the most well-known buildings in Barcelona and probably the most well-known church buildings on the earth. 5 million folks go to this ‘unfinished’ church yearly. And over 20 million folks go to the realm simply to have a look at it!
This UNESCO World Heritage Website is the brainchild of Barcelona’s most notable architect, Antoni Gaudí. He turned director of the mission when he was simply 31 years previous and broke floor in 1882. His plans have been extremely bold as he wished the church to have three facades, 5 naves, and 18 towers. The tallest tower (not but constructed) would be the highest in Barcelona.
However overambitious plans aren’t why La Sagrada Familia stays unfinished. Gaudí died instantly in 1926 when he was hit by a tram. And in 1936, the blueprints have been destroyed in the course of the Spanish Civil Warfare. Catalonia wasn’t precisely raking within the money afterwards so funding was a serious situation that stalled the mission for many years.
One silver lining of La Sagrada Familia’s infinite building is that it has an uncommon and eclectic mixture of Catalan modernist, neo-Gothic, and Artwork Nouveau architectural kinds. It’s additionally enormous and completely gorgeous! Undoubtedly purchase your tickets prematurely to keep away from having to hitch the lengthy, snaking queues across the Eixample district.
And when are you able to anticipate the famously unfinished cathedral to lastly be completed?! It’s slated for whole completion in 2026, the one hundredth anniversary of Gaudí’s loss of life.
2. Casa Milà
Sure, there’s a very good purpose why everybody who visits Barcelona is aware of about Gaudí. If solely he appeared on extra pub quizzes! However the second most notable constructing in Barcelona needs to be Casa Milà, additionally designed by town’s most well-known son.
Casa Milà was the final non-public residence that Gaudí was commissioned to design and also you’ll discover it on Passeig de Gràcia, a sublime and prosperous avenue. Its widely-used nickname ‘La Pedera’ means ‘stone quarry’ as a result of the locals thought the constructing’s gray stone facade resembled a tough open quarry. It’s secure to imagine they weren’t in love with the design of this constructing when it was in-built 1912!
Fortunately, locals and vacationers have grown to like its Catalan Modernista architectural type. Casa Milà is now a cultural and academic centre however components of the constructing are nonetheless residential flats.
It’s nicely price visiting the constructing somewhat than simply admiring it from the road as a result of the rooftop terrace is spectacular. Not just for the attractive views of Barcelona however due to the bizarre stone chimneys and curved fireplace escape staircases that can make you’re feeling such as you’re in a Dalí portray. Don’t go to it whereas tipsy otherwise you may topple off!
3. Casa Batlló
Simply across the nook from Casa Milà within the Eixample district is Casa Batlló, an earlier residential house that Gaudí designed in 1904. Although he didn’t construct a brand new construction from scratch as there was already a constructing on this web site, he nonetheless managed so as to add his signature aptitude to the transform.
Casa Batlló has not only one, however two nicknames that are ‘Home of Bones’ or ‘Home of the Dragon’. The pastel, marine-coloured mosaic tiles on the facade and roof resemble dragon scales. And the curved white balconies that adorn many of the home windows have a skeletal look. It sounds very bizarre however I promise it appears so cool!
Gaudí was impressed by each nature and fantasy. He favored to include pure shapes and shiny, playful colors into his designs and he positively achieved each with Casa Batlló.
Some additionally suppose that the dragon symbolism on the facade is a nod to St George, the patron saint of Catalonia. And since he’s additionally England’s patron saint, Brits ought to know that he slayed one of many legendary fire-breathing creatures!
Casa Batlló is now a museum and you’ll go to the whole home, together with the roof terrace. It appears simply as spectacular inside because it does outdoors with 1000’s of vibrant tiles masking the whole constructing from the flooring to the curved ceilings.
4. Palau Güell
Gaudí constructed Palau Güell as a non-public residence for the entrepreneur Eusebi Güell within the Eighteen Eighties. It was considered one of his earliest designs and you will discover the constructing within the El Raval district simply off La Rambla. It’s much less simply identifiable as a Gaudí, at first look, as a result of it appears just like the architect truly used a ruler when creating the blueprints.
However when you stand up shut, you’ll be able to see a lot of ornate particulars that you just’d anticipate to see on a bit of Gaudí structure. The iron-wrought entrance gates are extremely ornate and the eye to element is spectacular. The brightly-coloured chimneys on the roof are a transparent precursor to the chimneys and skylights of Casa Milà. However the pièce de résistance of Palau Güell is the inside as a result of Eusebi Güell wished an atrium that may wow his essential friends. So, Gaudí put holes within the ceiling and hung lanterns above to make it appear to be a starry sky.
Eusebi Güell lived on this constructing till 1914 when he moved to Park Güell, which Gaudí additionally designed. Park Güell isn’t only one constructing however a whole advanced with gardens and ceramic sculptures.
Seven of Gaudí’s buildings make up the ‘works of Antoni Gaudí’ UNESCO World Heritage Website. So, if you wish to go gaga for Gaudí throughout your journey to Barcelona, you must also go to Park Güell, Casa Vicens, and La Colonia Güell the place you’ll discover Gaudí’s crypt.
5. Cathedral of Barcelona
Although it has extra notoriety and hundreds of thousands extra guests, La Sagrada Familia isn’t truly Barcelona’s cathedral. To make use of its full identify, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia takes the highest spot. It’s nonetheless probably the most well-known buildings in Barcelona and one it’s important to add to your itinerary.
Building began in 1298 on the Gothic cathedral nevertheless it wouldn’t be accomplished for one more 150 years. Possibly cathedrals simply take a extremely very long time to construct in Barcelona and there’s truly nothing particular about La Sagrada Familia?! However the effort and time have been clearly price it as a result of the imposing constructing with its stained glass home windows and panoramic tower views are wonderful. And it appears even higher lit up at evening!
Pop into the cathedral’s backyard and also you could be stunned to seek out 13 noisy white geese who stay completely within the cloisters. There’s one for yearly of Saint Eulalia’s life.
You’ll discover the Cathedral of Barcelona within the Gothic Quarter (becoming, because it’s a Gothic cathedral!) and you should buy tickets to incorporate entry to the rooftop.
6. Montjuïc Nationwide Palace
Catch a cable automotive as much as Montjuïc and also you received’t be capable to ignore the dimensions of Montjuïc Nationwide Palace. It was designed by architects Eugenio Cendoya, Enric Catà, and Pere Domènech i Roura for the World Honest in 1929. In 1934, it turned the everlasting house of the Nationwide Artwork Museum of Catalonia.
This grand, Spanish neo-baroque constructing appears spectacular at any time of day, nevertheless it’s higher to go to it within the night. In entrance of the constructing is a large, round water fountain known as the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. From eight or 9 within the night, a whole bunch collect to look at a present of sunshine and dancing water choreographed to music.
It continues for nicely over an hour so it’s most likely among the finest free leisure in Barcelona! Examine the showtimes earlier than you head up there as a result of the show doesn’t occur each day throughout some components of the yr.
7. Torre Glòries
It’s simple to neglect that Barcelona is a contemporary metropolis with a thriving know-how district when there are so few skyscrapers dominating its skyline. However one which’s been there since 2004 is Torre Glòries, beforehand often known as Torre Agbar.
It was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel and he was impressed by geysers when creating the form of the constructing. It looks like an odd selection of inspiration contemplating geysers are a sort of uncommon scorching spring that solely exist in locations like Iceland, the US, and New Zealand. However that’s apparently what impressed Nouvel, and plenty of locals suppose it appears extra like a bullet anyway!
For those who look intently at Torre Glòries, you’ll realise that it isn’t all one color. The underside is a fiery purple that steadily turns icy blue in direction of the highest. That is intentional and you’ll see the vibrancy of the colors extra clearly at evening towards a darkish sky backdrop.
Yow will discover the 144m tall, 24-story constructing in Plaça de Les Glòries Catalanes. It’s on the coronary heart of Barcelona’s tech hub subsequent to a busy however stunning inexperienced house. A lot of the constructing is made up of workplace house, however there may be an remark deck the place anyone can go up and witness views throughout the Mediterranean.
8. Torre de Collserola
Torre Glòries isn’t truly the tallest tower or constructing in Barcelona; it’s Torre de Collserola. It’s located on prime of Mount Tibidabo which is the tallest mountain within the Serra de Collserola mountain vary. The tower could be 288m tall, nevertheless it’s 560m above sea stage.
Numerous folks like to go to Mount Tibidabo once they go to Barcelona due to the amusement park on the prime. There’s additionally a cool church known as Temple of the Sacred Coronary heart of Jesus, so now you’ve a 3rd purpose to climb up. And by ‘climb up’ I imply catch the funicular, not truly stroll to the highest!
Torre de Collserola was designed by world-renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster for the 1992 summer time Olympics as a TV and radio transmitter. Although it may not look it, Torre de Collserola is a formidable feat of engineering. It’s 3,000 tons of stainless-steel held upright by a posh sequence of bolstered cables. The tower additionally has a customer house on the highest flooring providing unrivalled views throughout the whole Catalan area.
9. Casa de Les Punxes
It’s completely comprehensible for those who suppose that Gaudí was the one notable architect in Barcelona within the early twentieth century. However there have been a lot of different nice designers, like Josep Puig i Cadafalch who constructed Casa de Les Punxes in 1905.
Casa de Les Punxes means ‘Home of Spikes’ and it’s named after the six medieval-style turrets on the roof. This non-public home was commissioned by the Terrades Sisters who have been a part of a rich Catalan household. They wished to mix the three homes they owned into one massive mansion.
Like Gaudí, the home was designed within the Modernista type with shiny, mosaic tiles on the roof and ornate balconies and window containers. It was made a nationwide monument in 1976 and shortly turned probably the most well-known buildings in Barcelona.
Sadly, the constructing by no means reopened to the general public after the pandemic and it appears prefer it by no means will! It’s now a co-working house. However for those who’re a digital nomad or fancy taking a workation in Barcelona then it may very well be probably the most historic and delightful co-working areas you’ll ever go to.
10. Camp Nou
There’s no approach I couldn’t embrace the most important stadium in Europe, Camp Nou. That is the house floor for FC Barcelona FC and has the capability for nearly 100,000 folks. It opened in 1957 and was one of many venues in the course of the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
The architects concerned within the stadium’s design embrace Sir Norman Foster, who designed Torre de Collserola, and three native Catalan architects.
Visiting Camp Nou is straightforward. You may simply e-book a ticket to look at a soccer sport! However for those who’d somewhat see the stadium with out tens of 1000’s of screaming soccer followers, head there in the course of the day the place you’ll be able to be part of a stadium tour and take a look at the on-site museum.
