Gaudí Architecture Walk with Sagrada Família, Barcelona

4.9 (52 reviews)
Discover Gaudí's influence on Barcelona by visiting Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, the Block of Discord, and La Sagrada Família.

Overview

Join a local, private guide on a walk through the neighborhoods influenced by Antoni Gaudí's impressive works. You'll start by visiting the exterior of Casa Batlló, where you can learn how Gaudí mixed colors and shapes to craft his unique masterpieces. Stroll down the famous Passeig de Grácia, home to the "Block of Discord," stopping to view the exterior and interior of Casa Milà (La Pedrera). Finish at the famous architect's most renowned project, La Sagrada Família, where your guide will lead you through this impressive (and still unfinished) structure.

Highlights

  • Skip-the-line tickets to Casa Milà and La Sagrada Familia
  • View mansions of the 20th-century Catalan bourgeoisie along Passeig de Grácia
  • Learn about Antoni Gaudí's unique architectural style by viewing Casa Batlló's exterior
  • Explore the inside of La Pedrera, also known as Casa Milà
  • Discover Gaudí's origins, ideas, and projects that define Barcelona
  • Visit the incredible La Sagrada Família, home to Gaudí's burial site

Know before you go

Duration
4 hours
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Private

What you'll do

As the saying goes, Antoni Gaudí's and his notable architectural works aren't just a part of Barcelona—they are Barcelona. Join an expert guide to discover the truth behind this adage, as Gaudí's influence is everywhere, from the city's streetlights and fountains to its parks, museums, and monuments. A private walk is an excellent way to learn more about this renowned architect and how his style impacted the city. 

You'll start on the famous Passeig de Grácia boulevard, home to early 20th-century mansions built by the city's bourgeoisie. Your guide will stop to admire the Block of Discord, a set of three modernist buildings sharing the same facade and a perfect example of the city's different architectural styles. The first building is Casa Lleò Morera, designed by Domènech i Montaner; next is Casa Amatller, designed by Puig i Cadafalch; and finally, Casa Batlló, by Antoni Gaudí.

Since this is a Gaudí walk, your attention is on Casa Batlló and its unique facade. The building is a modernist masterpiece of a residential building, often referred to by locals as Casa dels Ossos, "House of Bones." As your guide will explain, this is because of the building's skeletal design, with skulls for balconies and bones for pillars. Though you won't go inside the building, you'll learn all about its exteriors.

Next, walk about six minutes down the boulevard to Casa Milà. Along the way, your guide will share details of other lesser-known works by Gaudí, including his influences on everyday details, like Barcelona's streetlights and fountains. As Casa Milà's nickname La Pedrera suggests, it resembles a "stone quarry." And much like most of Gaudí's works, it blends constructional and functional innovations with decorative design, resulting in a work of art. After admiring the facade, you'll head inside, where each room works as an exhibition of how the interiors looked under the Milà family. But the highlight is the rooftop, with its chimneys and ventilation towers turned into unique sculptures.

Of course, no Gaudí-themed walk is complete without visiting the architect's most famous masterpiece, the Roman-Catholic church, La Sagrada Família. Since this is a private tour, you can pay for a taxi or ride the metro, both about a 10-minute journey. Then, join your guide as you observe the exteriors and interiors of this unique structure, which is still under construction, in hopes of completing Gaudí's original vision. The church has three outer facades: Nativity represents the birth of Christ and symbolizes the three stages of life; Passion signifies the stages of Jesus, including passion, death, and resurrection; and Glory is all about Christ's eternal life in heaven.

Then, follow your guide into the church's interiors to observe Gaudí's signature design using geometric shapes, a love of colors, and natural elements. Notice the tall vaulted ceilings, hues streaming in through stained glass windows, and the apse (the half-domed roof) in the shape of trees. Other highlights your guide will show you include places like the altar, organ pipes, chapels, and the Crypt Of The Expiatory Temple, the oldest part of the church with a beautiful Neo-Renaissance design, and where you'll find Gaudí's burial site.

After visiting La Sagrada Família, you'll say farewell to your guide and have free time to continue exploring the church or enjoy its two parks. You'll find ideal spots for photos in Plaça de Gaudí, with its small pond reflecting the architect's masterpiece.

Start times

  • Daily
    9:00 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm

What's included

  • Tickets to Sagrada Família and Casa Milà

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Traveler reviews

52 total ratings, 34 with reviews
4.9
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.9
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.9
Transport
4.8
brad
brad m.
Japan | Reviewed on Oct 17, 2024
Amazing architectural feat, detailed historical evolution. Read more

Amazing architectural feat, detailed historical evolution.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Steven
Steven M.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Sep 21, 2024
We met Albert who was our guide and he was incredible. I could not believe how much this man knew about Barcelona. This man had binders of pictures of what the city used to look like and how it has changed over centuries. I walked away from this tour amazed at the education I was provided along with local tips for how to navigate around Barcelona that you would never find even online. You will get a college semesters worth of education in 4 hours and the best part about Albert, you can tell... Read more

We met Albert who was our guide and he was incredible. I could not believe how much this man knew about Barcelona. This man had binders of pictures of what the city used to look like and how it has changed over centuries. I walked away from this tour amazed at the education I was provided along with local tips for how to navigate around Barcelona that you would never find even online. You will get a college semesters worth of education in 4 hours and the best part about Albert, you can tell he was excited and passionate about the city’s history and excited to share it with you.

Tips for future travelers

If you are a history buff, this is for you. With exclusive access you will not find anywhere else I am sure

Quality of Experience
Albert (our guide)
Laura
Laura T.
Irvine, CA | Reviewed on Aug 26, 2024
Loved all the details in this tour! We learned so much! Read more

Loved all the details in this tour! We learned so much!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
J
Jane K.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Aug 15, 2024
Caterina was wonderful. Her passion for the beauty of the city really came through and really helped us to appreciate everything that we saw. She was very accommodating to us as we had our sons with us. They were getting tired near the end. She recommended a great local place for tapas and even walked us there. Read more

Caterina was wonderful. Her passion for the beauty of the city really came through and really helped us to appreciate everything that we saw. She was very accommodating to us as we had our sons with us. They were getting tired near the end. She recommended a great local place for tapas and even walked us there.

Tips for future travelers

I would say you have to do it because, without the guide, I think you may miss out a lot of the details, the history, the stories that really bring more depth to your experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Caterina was wonderful! Her love for the art really was infectious.
Transport
We mostly walked and took the Metro. It was all very easy.
Luke
Luke P.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2024
We took a long walking tour with Mari. She was really excellent. She used a microphone and earbuds for us so communicating in crowded areas was easy. She paced things well and was a great communicator. We really enjoyed what was a very long walk that included a trip on the metro, so it made it easier for us to travel on our own afterwards. Read more

We took a long walking tour with Mari. She was really excellent. She used a microphone and earbuds for us so communicating in crowded areas was easy. She paced things well and was a great communicator. We really enjoyed what was a very long walk that included a trip on the metro, so it made it easier for us to travel on our own afterwards.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Marcia
Marcia B.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 14, 2024
We all loved Gaudi -- we were happy with Dani and the trip to see la Familia Sagrada and Casa Mila. Dani was an excellent guide for us because he told us things then allowed us to explore at our own speed. He would always seem to be available when we had questions, but gave us the opportunity to see what we wanted. He was especially knowledgeable about the Family Sagrada. He had worked there at one time and the information he shared of the stages of development went back 30 years. The... Read more

We all loved Gaudi -- we were happy with Dani and the trip to see la Familia Sagrada and Casa Mila. Dani was an excellent guide for us because he told us things then allowed us to explore at our own speed. He would always seem to be available when we had questions, but gave us the opportunity to see what we wanted. He was especially knowledgeable about the Family Sagrada. He had worked there at one time and the information he shared of the stages of development went back 30 years. The only downside was that the day was too short and I didn't see enough Gaudi! The visit to the park Guell was self guided, but I think we could have used some more guidance. We separated and found we all saw different things.

Tips for future travelers

Confirm before hand what you are seeing. We saw a lovely house and enjoyed it, but it wasn't Gaudi. Ask for more info on Park Guell, or study up on it (we didn't).

Quality of Experience
Gaudi is amazing and all of his work. Would have like to have seen more.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dani, our guide had great knowledge, was easy to hear even in the many crowds of people in Familia Sagrada.
Marianna
Marianna R.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 15, 2024

WE ARRANGED THIS FOR OURSELVES AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE DAY

George
George L.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on Apr 24, 2024
Casa Batllo is amazing for kids. They get an tablet to interact with the house and the guide does a good job incorporating the tablet so the kids feel very involved. This allows the guide to focus on the adults and actually give them a tour. Casa Batllo is such a fun house. You really get to see how the family lived. The installed artwork like the Mind of Gaudi immersion room and the Chain Links though not original did add a lot of visual value. You don't mind seeing them. Even the paid... Read more

Casa Batllo is amazing for kids. They get an tablet to interact with the house and the guide does a good job incorporating the tablet so the kids feel very involved. This allows the guide to focus on the adults and actually give them a tour.

Casa Batllo is such a fun house. You really get to see how the family lived.

The installed artwork like the Mind of Gaudi immersion room and the Chain Links though not original did add a lot of visual value. You don't mind seeing them.

Even the paid photography is of you on the actual balcony which is really cool. It isn't just a some green screen.

Sagrada Familia is amazing. It really is not to be missed. The tour guide did a great job giving the children a scavenger hunt to keep them engaged.

Skipping the line with the tour guide for both sites was worth it.

The tour guide was very well prepared. She had workbooks, photos, and other reference material to show the kids. She also did a bonus stop at Casa Mila on the way to the Metro station to give us some more context about Gaudi's work.

Our tour guide took us to lunch only to find out that we didn't book the tour with lunch. I rather she just owned up to it and said she a mistake about it so I didn't have to eat at the restaurant she chose.

Tips for future travelers

Don't do the lunch. Do this and skip the lines. I never went to Casa Mila but cannot imagine it being more kid friendly than Casa Batllo. Casa Batllo was super kid friendly. Do not skip Sagrada Familia. If you can, opt to go between sites using the Metro. It is faster than the taxi. And the walk isn't all that far.

Quality of Experience
You cannot miss Sagrada Familia if you are in Barcelona. It is really worth it. I cannot stress that enough. Casa Batllo was a lot of fund for the kids and for the adults. I believe because of the line skipping and the self paced tour that this was the best way to have experienced both these sites.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
She really prepared and was ready to engage with my children. She had lots of print outs and materials and stories and activities for the children. She was very knowledgeable. She just sort of made a snafu regarding lunch. I would give her five stars if she didn't take us to lunch.
Transport
We just took metro ourselves between sites. It was easy.
Kristin
Kristin B.
Huntersville, NC | Reviewed on Apr 08, 2024
What an amazing experience to see the different areas of Barcelona and this phenomenal place. Our guide, Anna, was absolutely fantastic. She was so sweet, knowledgeable and fun! She had great rapport with my 2 daughters (ages 11 and 17) and made their experience so much more enjoyable by interacting with them while also educating us all! Read more

What an amazing experience to see the different areas of Barcelona and this phenomenal place. Our guide, Anna, was absolutely fantastic. She was so sweet, knowledgeable and fun! She had great rapport with my 2 daughters (ages 11 and 17) and made their experience so much more enjoyable by interacting with them while also educating us all!

Quality of Experience
Having tickets pre-purchased so we went straight in- no waiting in lines!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Anna was wonderful! She was so knowledgeable and fun.
Transport
So easy and always prompt!
Karen
Karen L.
Waxahachie, TX | Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024
Again, Anna was extremely knowledgeable and fun. Read more

Again, Anna was extremely knowledgeable and fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff

Like what you see?

Chat with our local specialists and let us help you customize your trip with experiences like this.

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Itineraries with Gaudí Architecture Walk with Sagrada Família