TOP 5 BARCELONA’S ARCHITECTURE JEWELS

The majestic and controversial Sagrada Familia is an unfinished Roman Catholic minor basilica located in the Example district, that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005.
Like many other buildings in the city, it was designed by Antoni Gaudí, who left an incredible mark in the city. The Spanish architect wanted to create the perfect temple, presenting the life of Jesus and the history of the faith.
The basilica is a hybrid of late Spanish Gothic, Catalan Modernism and Art Nouveau, but because it has been under construction for many years (almost 150 after the architect’s death!), there are other modern design influences that have infiltrated into its ornamental windows and carvings.
Still, under construction (for almost 150 years after the architect’s death), Sagrada Familia (considered Gaudi’s masterpiece) is today one of the icons of Barcelona, known around the world and visited by millions of people. If you have just one day in Barcelona, Sagrada Familia is definitely worth the visit.
In 2020, the construction was stopped for the first time since the Spanish Civil War (1936). However, the architects of the Construction Board are hoping to finish the works of the ambitious project in 2026, marking the centenary of Gaudi’s death. When finished, Sagrada Familia will be Barcelona’s highest building and the world’s highest church, with a height of 172 metres.

Palau de la Música Catalana is a historic concert hall in Barcelona, considered by locals as a “cultural symbol of the Catalan nation”. It is one of the most brilliant structures in the city and offers a strong contrast with the buildings around it.
Thanks to the blue and gold stained glass arches of the ceiling, and the tilted chandeliers, the auditorium is illuminated during daylight hours entirely by natural light.
The building was designed by Domenech I Montaner, a Modernist architect also known for his work in the Hospital de Sant Pau and other important Art Nouveau buildings. In 1997, Palau has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1997.
Palau de la Música Catalana is located in the northern part of the Ciutat Vella (Old Town). You can purchase the tickets directly at the official website, where you will find their extended program with all concerts that take place when you are spending time in BCN. Make sure to do so as soon as possible because many concerts are sold out quickly. You can also find more information of the concerts by reading Barcelona travel blogs.

Football is the most popular sport in Barcelona, followed by millions of people. In fact, the world’s best player, Lionel Messi, plays on the local team, and the Spanish league is one of the major and profitable leagues in the world.
Camp Nou, meaning New Field, is Barcelona’s most famous football stadium, home for FC Barcelona, one of the world’s prestigious football club, with more than 100.000 members. It is located in the east of the city, about 5 kilometers from the city center, easy to reach by metro.
After the Sagrada Familia, the building is undoubtedly the other big temple of the city. The dimensions are impressive: Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe, with a capacity of 99,354 people. In 1998, it was recorded as an elite category stadium by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations)
Camp Nou has changed relatively little since its inauguration in September 1957. However, over the years the club was remodeled several times in order to provide better facilities for its fans, and in 2014 more than 70% of the voting members decided for the project to rebuild the stadium to give it a distinctive face that is unmistakably connected to the club presidium. The reconstruction of the stadium should last until 2022.
If you are planning a trip to Barcelona, you can easily purchase your tickets online in advance on the stadium’s official website, they are valid up to a year from the date you buy them and could be used at any date up until that time. Keep in mind that FC Barcelona’s games at Camp Nou are usually played at 8 pm, 9 pm or 10 pm (Spaniards go to bed quite late, especially during summer!).
If you do not get tickets (it could happen, especially during high season). you can visit the museum called Camp Nou Experience, and the shop of the club. A must-see for Barcelona game time and every football fan.

Casa Batlló is one of Gaudi’s famous buildings and most emblematic Barcelona travel sites. It was owned by the Battló family, who decided to open it officially to the public in 1950.
The building itself is incredibly beautiful. Just like other Gaudi’s buildings, it is inspired by mother nature, and represents the story of a fight between Saint Jordi (the patron saint of the province of Catalonia) and a dragon.
The outside of the building is stunning: the curvy balconies represent the waves of the sea, and the entire facade is littered with flowers. The inside, on the other hand, is filled with interesting shapes, colors, and mosaics. At the top, the views are gorgeous.
Casa Batlló is located in the posh central street of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia, so you can get there easily. However, keep in mind that Casa Batlló gets extremely crowded, especially during high season, since most Barcelona travel packages include it on their itinerary.
Therefore, plan your visit in advance by purchasing the tickets online. The Barcelona best time to visit it is either at sunrise or at sunset, when there will be far fewer people.

Just like Casa Batlló, Casa Míla is another luxurious apartment building designed by Gaudí and inspired by nature in every element of the design, imitating the spontaneous forms of the sea. Every detail requires quiet meditation and appreciation.
Nowadays, the building is owned by a local bank, that turned it into a museum, with lots of exhibition rooms and a concert hall, a really unique place to visit (in fact, you will see it in every Barcelona travel guide as one of the best things to do in Barcelona in December).
Finished in 1912, Casa Míla is also located in Passeig de Gracia, just a few blocks from Casa Batlló and other luxurious homes and examples of Modernism. It is worth booking your tickets in advance to avoid having to queue to get in.