Barcelona Architecture Guide: The City’s Most Famous Buildings
Barcelona is a wonderful city, with a big collection of amazing buildings to visit. Some are a must, and others already tell the story on the outside and are worth visiting on a second trip. But all have a story of their own. Most are built in a Catalionan Modernist style, aka Art Nouveau, and others are (neo)Gothic. But they all make Barcelona what it is today.
I've curated a list of buildings and architectural sights you must see. If you want to know more about each structure or building, you can click on the button under the description for more information and additional imagery to get a complete picture for your visit.
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Hello!
I'm Amber, a female traveler from the Netherlands with a deep curiosity for the world and a camera to capture it. For me, travel isn't just about the destination, but more about the journey and the beauty of the place. I’m always drawn to beautifully designed buildings, long train rides, cozy mornings, and an inspiring hike.
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Casa Batlló
I loved visiting Casa Batlló, all the details were so outspoken and renewing. Firstly, the facade has its pastel colors and bone-like details. And secondly, the interior, with its organically shaped doors and walls, all the inspiring wallpapers and finishes.
Casa Batlló is a modernist building in the center of Barcelona. Its designer, Antoni Gaudí redesigned this magnificent house in 1904 on commission for the owner Josep Batlló. And in 2005, Casa Batlló was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In 1904, Gaudí reconstructed the whole facade and interior planning, expanding the light well, and turning the interior into a work of art.
Gaudí's work always leaves you wondering. The ground floor has unusual shapes, irregular windows, and sculpted stonework with dynamic forms. There aren't many straight lines to be found, and the facade is decorated with beautiful mosaic.
Under the locals, it's known as Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), seeing as it has bone-like construction for balconies and window frames.
La sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is a must-do when you're in Barcelona. It's a magnificent structure in the heart of Barcelona, which reaches about 172.5 meters (566 feet). Every side of the cathedral has something special, from fruit sculptures to trees and Rosetta windows and sky-reaching pillars.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia was initially designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar in 1883. A year after the first stone was laid, Antoni Gaudí took over. He continued the build in a modernist way instead of the traditional neogothic style. After Gaudí's death in 1926, the built continued, in yet again a different style, because most of his drawings and designs had been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.
The Nativity facade and the Crypt were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. It's registered under the 'works of Antoni Gaudí among some of his other works, such as Casa Batlló, and Park Güell.
La sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia is a must-do when you're in Barcelona. It's a magnificent structure in the heart of Barcelona, which reaches about 172.5 meters (566 feet). Every side of the cathedral has something special, from fruit sculptures to trees and Rosetta windows and sky-reaching pillars.
Basilica de la Sagrada Familia was initially designed by Francisco de Paula del Villar in 1883. A year after the first stone was laid, Antoni Gaudí took over. He continued the build in a modernist way instead of the traditional neogothic style. After Gaudí's death in 1926, the built continued, in yet again a different style, because most of his drawings and designs had been destroyed during the Spanish Civil War.
The Nativity facade and the Crypt were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. It's registered under the 'works of Antoni Gaudí among some of his other works, such as Casa Batlló, and Park Güell.
Park Güell
One of my personal favorite sights in Barcelona is Park Güell. There are so many things to see, from amazing views, cute houses, and mosaic sculptures. My favorites are possibly the dragon and the gingerbread houses past the market square.
Park Güell was built between 1900 and 1914. The park is a mix of art movements from the Arts and Crafts, Symblosim, Expressionim, Rationalims and, like most of Gaudí's architectural designs, 20th-century Modernism. In 1984, it was officially registered on the UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the 'works of Antoni Gaudí'.
Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo, at the outskirts of Barcelona. The lower base of the structure is of a Romanesque fortress, built from stones of Montjuïc. The first thing you see is the Gothic tympanum, laid with detailed mosaic, that tells the story of the spiritual protection of the city, region, and country. Under that is the entrance to the crypt, which is widely decorated with religious sculptures.
The upper church is reached by the two grand stairways on either side of the crypt. The church is topped by a dome that holds the statue of the Sacred Heart.
The church is modernly decorated, with white stone columns and a groin vault ceiling. On the contrary, the crypt is an intimate room with low ceilings, intricate murals, and alabaster carvings. The crypt also shows about 5 detailed mosaics describing biblical scenes and Spanish saints.
Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is located on the summit of Mount Tibidabo, at the outskirts of Barcelona. The lower base of the structure is of a Romanesque fortress, built from stones of Montjuïc. The first thing you see is the Gothic tympanum, laid with detailed mosaic, that tells the story of the spiritual protection of the city, region, and country. Under that is the entrance to the crypt, which is widely decorated with religious sculptures.
The upper church is reached by the two grand stairways on either side of the crypt. The church is topped by a dome that holds the statue of the Sacred Heart.
The church is modernly decorated, with white stone columns and a groin vault ceiling. On the contrary, the crypt is an intimate room with low ceilings, intricate murals, and alabaster carvings. The crypt also shows about 5 detailed mosaics describing biblical scenes and Spanish saints.
Casa Vicens
Casa Vicens is a mix of modernism and orientalist style. It was once again designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí. It was his first big project, and was built between 1883 and 1885. Casa Vincens was only opened to the public in 2017, and is one of the lesser-visited sights of Barcelona. The facade has captivating ceramic tiles in a green and cream checkerboard pattern. These patterns have become the main theme for the entire estate. The building shows notable Mudéjar influences, mostly seen on the facade with its defined geometric brickwork and horseshoe-shaped arches.
Besides the facade, the iron wrought fences and gates are also captivating. They have intricate, nature-themed details, resembling palm leaves. These were designed by Llorenç Matamala.
Catedral de Barcelona
The Barcelona Cathedral, officially The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, was constructed from the 13th to the 15th century. The architect, Jaume Fabre, designed the church in the regional style of the Catalan Gothic, where he created balance instead of a sky-reaching building. Saying this, it's still a 70m (229.6 ft) tall structure. The cathedral is built up from three naves, one choir, and a cloister. On the roof, there are sculptures like gargoyles and other mythical creatures. It has many spectacular details, like the pinnacles and rosetta-like windows.
Catedral de Barcelona
The Barcelona Cathedral, officially The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, was constructed from the 13th to the 15th century. The architect, Jaume Fabre, designed the church in the regional style of the Catalan Gothic, where he created balance instead of a sky-reaching building. Saying this, it's still a 70m (229.6 ft) tall structure. The cathedral is built up from three naves, one choir, and a cloister. On the roof, there are sculptures like gargoyles and other mythical creatures. It has many spectacular details, like the pinnacles and rosetta-like windows.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya houses a grand collection of Catalan art and design from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including modernisme and noucetisme. It's situated on the hill of Montjuïc, in a huge Italian-style building from the 1930s. The structure is topped with a grand dome, which was inspired by St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. The dome is flanked by two smaller domes, and at the four corners are towers that were modelled after the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
Palau Guell
Palau Güell is something else; it's so different from Gaudí's other works. It's darker and less colorful on the outside. You can book tickets to go inside or just look at the facade. Take a few steps to the left or right of the building, and look up to the roof, where you'll see colorful mosaic chimneys. The facade itself reminded me of the German Fachwerk houses, with its overhanging second floor.
Palau Guell
Palau Güell is something else; it's so different from Gaudí's other works. It's darker and less colorful on the outside. You can book tickets to go inside or just look at the facade. Take a few steps to the left or right of the building, and look up to the roof, where you'll see colorful mosaic chimneys. The facade itself reminded me of the German Fachwerk houses, with its overhanging second floor. In between the two gates, Gaudí placed a bronze sculpture of a phoenix, the mythical creature is a symbol of the economic and cultural renaissance of the Catalan society.
Casa Mila
Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, was Gaudí's last civil work of art in 1969. It is once again a unique mix of nature-inspired details and imagination. The facade was found controversial for that time, because of its wavy facade and twisting iron balconies. Besides that, the stone Facade is self-supporting, there is an underground garage, and a spectacular roof terrace, with once again the wavy characteristics you see on the facade.
Inside is the exhibition centre, which shows Gaudí's career, from his influences to his legacy.
Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf, not to be confused with the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is the entrance to Cituadella park. I was built for the Barcelona World Fair in 1888. The arch is built from a reddish brick in the Neo-Mudejar style. The Arc has two sides; they both tell stories, one of welcoming nations, and the other represents the granting of awards during the World Exposition.
Visitors can enter on the Open House day, climb up the 120 steps to the rooftop, and enjoy the view of the Courthouse, the Agbar Tower, and the Sagrada Familia.
Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf, not to be confused with the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, is the entrance to Cituadella park. I was built for the Barcelona World Fair in 1888. The arch is built from a reddish brick in the Neo-Mudejar style. The Arc has two sides; they both tell stories, one of welcoming nations, and the other represents the granting of awards during the World Exposition.
Visitors can enter on the Open House day, climb up the 120 steps to the rooftop, and enjoy the view of the Courthouse, the Agbar Tower, and the Sagrada Familia.
Want to see even more amazing buildings in Barcelona? Check out my article on 'Barcelona's less famous buildings you must see'.