Complete Gaudi Tour

The name Gaudi is practically synonymous with Barcelona. The city's favorite architect (and maybe its most beloved son, if you don't count the soccer players) has come to embody the style and "joie de vivre" of a city deeply rooted in its natural surroundings.

On this comprehensive tour of Gaudi's work, you will visit three of his residential works (including one unknown to most visitors), skip long lines to wander beautiful Park Guell, and, of course, embark on a thorough exploration of Gaudi's most significant work and final resting place, La Sagrada Familia.

Your tour starts with the Casa Batllo, arguably Gaudi's most impressive residential property (and indeed his most visited). Entering ahead of the morning crowds, you'll discover some of the genius solutions Gaudi employed to solve architectural problems throughout the house, dispersing light and air throughout its many levels. A sure highlight is the roof, designed to resemble the scales of a dragon--the great emblem of Barcelona. The best thing about Gaudi was that his work was continually changing and adapting to the styles and materials of the time.

You'll see Gaudi's changes in his two other residential properties. First, you will have a guided tour of the outside of Casa Mila, known locally as La Pedrera, or The Stone Quarry. You'll see why as you stand and gaze at this imposing block. At first glance, it can seem a little drab, but once you learn how its face was assembled and then carefully carved, inch by inch, you'll feel differently.

The second residential property is the colorful and flamboyant Casa Vicens. It is considered one of Gaudi's earliest works, when the architect was still developing his style and vernacular. Somewhere in the middle is Park Guell. A fanciful explosion of color, part thoughtful study of organic forms, it is a perfect reflection of the natural world. It also has a secret drainage system, visual illusions, and stone benches designed for excellent ergonomics. Don't forget to bring a camera; the park is home to the best viewpoint in Barcelona. Since this became a ticketed site a few years ago, entrance lines have become extremely long--so it's a good thing you have skip-the-line access.

Your tour ends, as Gaudi himself did--in the La Sagrada Familia. In the final years of the architect's life he abandoned all other projects, and much of his life in general, to work on this magnificent and unique church. He even went door to door collecting donations and moved into its basement so he could work around the clock. It's an incredible representation of everything that made him such a unique talent--so much detail and symbolism, blending the natural and human world in a riot of colors, shapes, and characters.

It can be hard to know where to look on your first visit to La Sagrada Familia, so it's lucky you have a Gaudi expert to guide your experience. You'll spend a full hour exploring the church itself, from its elaborate facade to the stained glass windows inside. Your tour also includes pre-reserved access to ascend one of the church towers, for incredible views over Barcelona and beyond.

Give Gaudi the time he deserves on this complete tour of his most beautiful works.