Barcelona’s Top 5 Buildings
Barcelona is one of Europe’s most interesting cities, mostly thanks to the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí’s distinctive Art Nouveau buildings create an almost fairytale atmosphere, from the spires of the Sagrada Família to the avenues of the Parc Güell. But Barcelona’s architecture isn’t just Gaudí. The Camp Nou stadium and business district make it a very modern city. Read on for our pick of Barcelona’s top 5 architectural delights.
5. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya - in at number 5 is Barcelona’s main gallery. this giant palace of art is located on the Montjuïc hill at the end of Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina and contains masses of paintings, drawings and sculptures from a variety of periods. The building itself dates from 1929 and was originally the Palau Nacional, built for the World Fair.
4. Camp Nou – the ‘New Field’ stadium has been home to FC Barcelona since it was built in 1957. It was given a 5 star rating from UEFA and has played host to many international matches and UEFA Champions League finals. It is the largest stadium in Europe and the tenth largest in the world, with a capacity of 98,772.
3. Casa Milà - also known as La Pedrera (Catalan for ‘The Quarry’), the Casa Milà is one of Gaudí’s masterpieces. It was built between 1906 and 1910 but wasn’t completed officially until 1912. Situated at 92 Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district, it was built for Rosario Segimon and Pere Milà. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called ‘Works of Antoni Gaudí’ and is famous for its unusual chimneys. Take a tour on the roof to see the unique architecture up close.
2. Casa Batlló – another Gaudí treasure, the Casa Batlló was actually built by another architect in 1877. It was originally called Casa dels Ossos or House of Bones. Gaudí and fellow architect Josep Maria Jujol were responsible for the façade we see today, with its fluid lines and lack of sharp edges. The house was originally built for a wealthy Barcelona family, and is on the same street as the Casa Milà.
1. Sagrada Família - top of our list is Gaudí’s iconic cathedral. Surely a symbol of Barcelona itself, the sinister spires rise like melting candles above the city. The cathedral was begun in 1882 and is not yet complete. Work is scheduled to finish in 2026. Gaudí devoted the last fifteen years of his life to the Sagrada Família and died without seeing his masterpiece even nearly complete. But the cathedral stands as a memorial to Gaudí’s contribution to Barcelona, and it remains one of the most visited sites in the city.
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