Barcelona has it all – great climate, beaches, mountains, culture and inexpensive, yet fantastic, Spanish wine. No wonder flats in the historic center are as pricy as in any major city. It had been several years since I had been there. What I remember from past years and which kept me away (smog, auto pollution) has been now been cleaned up.
Two Gaudi Houses
One either loves the architecture of Antoni Gaudi or hates it. Alternatively, like me, one learns to appreciate it over time. As such, Casa Batllo (1877) and Casa Mila or La Pedrera (1912) are first stops on any trip to Barcelona. You must reserve times to visit online and well in advance. The two houses are within a short distance of each other. Allow at least an hour per house. Both houses are very well presented.
Park Guell
The next stop on the Gaudi tour must include Park Guell which was designed by Gaudi for Count Guell from 1900 to 1914 and opened as a public park in 1926. The Park is home to the famous Salamander statue. As a park, it’s expansive yet includes many shaded and intimate spaces for kids to play and adults to stroll.
Miro
The Joan Miro Foundation (Fundacio Joan Miro) sits on a hill called Montjuiic with majestic views over Barcelona. The Foundation is a modern museum devoted to Miro and features an entire timeline of his works which are striking. As with Gaudi, you either love the works of Miro or hate them. Whichever the case, a visit to the museum is well worth it.
Montjuic Castle
Not far from the Miro museum, via the Montjuic cable car, lies Montjuic Castle which dates to 1640. After over 300 years of bloody history, Francisco Franco declared it a museum in 1963. Take note of the wonderful gardens planted amidst the fortifications.
Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona and is filled with historic sites, restaurants, shops (including Disney) and picturesque cobble stone walks. For an outstanding local dinner, the “4CATS” restaurant is your place. I first visited 4CATS years ago and it’s still going strong. While overshadowed by Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (a.k.a. Barcelona Cathedral) is well worth a visit.
Sagrada Familia
No traveler worth his or her salt could leave Barcelona without visiting the Sagrada Familia by Gaudi. Like most major tourist attractions, you must make reservations in advance online and be prepared to have your bags searched upon arrival. The days when you could just walk in off the street are over, I am sad to say. Gaudi took over as architect in 1883 and spent the remainder of his life working on the cathedral. He is buried in the crypt. The façade, stone and glass work are unlike anything one typically sees in a European cathedral. Please see feature image of the interior.
