Walking into the Catalonia region of Spain, Barcelona is like a city carved by art. Every brick, every street, and every balcony seems to be permeated with the enthusiasm of culture and the fantasy of architecture. Among many landmark buildings, Casa Milà, with its architectural language without straight lines and corners, is known as one of the most free and futuristic representatives of Gaudi’s architectural style. For first-time visitors, it is not only a building, but also a visual feast spanning centuries.
1. Casa Milà: A wave fantasy of architecture
Location: Passeig de Gràcia, 92, 08008 Barcelona
Opening hours: Open all year round (except January 1 and December 25), 9:00-20:30 daily
Suggested playing time: about 1.5 hours
Transportation route: Metro Line L3 to Diagonal Station, about 2 minutes walk
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Klook, Civitatis
Fee: Adult tickets start at about 25 euros, special night visits require additional tickets
Magical facade and dream roof
La Milà, also known as “Stone House” (La Pedrera), was built from 1906 to 1912 and designed by Antoni Gaudí for the Milà couple. It completely abandons traditional architectural lines and uses wavy curved walls and wrought iron balconies to form a dreamlike appearance. Standing opposite the building, it is hard not to be attracted by this visual tension. Those flowing stones seem to be ready to break away from gravity and rise at any time.
Entering the building is an amazing experience. The vents and chimneys on the roof are arranged like soldiers, like alien sculptures, which are dazzling. The “Gaudi Space” on the top floor exhibits his models, design sketches and architectural concepts, which is an excellent window to understand Gaudi’s artistic spirit.
2. Sagrada Família: An unfinished miracle, a fusion of faith and art
Location: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013 Barcelona
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 – 20:00 (peak season), some time periods are adjusted according to the season
Suggested playing time: about 2 hours
Transportation route: Metro L2 or L5 line to Sagrada Família station, about 3 minutes walk
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Klook, Civitatis, Viator
Fee: Ordinary tickets start from 26 euros, including tower tickets from 32 euros, guided tour fees are charged separately
A church still under construction
Sagrada Família is a symbol of Barcelona and a dream that Gaudi failed to complete throughout his life. It is still under construction since its foundation in 1882 and is expected to be completed around 2030. Despite this, its magnificence remains undiminished.
The exterior of the church is famous for its three facades: “Birth”, “Passion” and “Glory”, each of which tells biblical stories with highly symbolic sculptures and decorations. Walking inside, the colorful glass windows refract the light into lively spots, as if you are in a sacred temple. Climbing the tower, you can overlook the panoramic view of Barcelona, which is definitely not to be missed.
3. Casa Batlló: The architectural fantasy of colorful bones
Location: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 08007 Barcelona
Opening hours: 9:00 – 20:00 daily (last admission 19:00)
Suggested playing time: about 1 hour
Transportation route: Metro Line L2, L3, L4 to Passeig de Gràcia Station, walk for 2 minutes
Booking platform: Tiqets, GetYourGuide, Civitatis, Klook
Fee: Standard ticket is about 35 euros, Golden Channel ticket is about 45 euros
Skeleton art and fairy tale dreams
Casa Batlló is located not far from Casa Mila and is also a masterpiece of Gaudí. This building is often called the “House of Bones” because its balconies and window frames resemble skeleton structures; and the roof is like the back of a dragon, representing the legend of St. George slaying the dragon.
The interior space is rich in color, and the stair railings, ceilings and glass windows are all based on bionic designs, creating an atmosphere like a fairy tale world. Through multimedia guide equipment, visitors can immerse themselves in how Gaudi integrates natural elements and mythological allegories into architecture.
4. Park Güell: An extension of Gaudi’s natural inspiration
Location: Carrer d’Olot, s/n, 08024 Barcelona
Opening hours: 9:30 – 19:30 daily (adjusted according to the season)
Suggested playing time: about 2 hours
Transportation route: Metro Line L3 to Lesseps Station, walk about 15 minutes, or take Bus 24, 92
Booking platform: GetYourGuide, Tiqets, Civitatis
Fee: Ordinary tickets are about 10 euros, including guided tours, about 20 euros
A fairy tale world blending curves, mosaics and greenery
Parc Güell was originally planned as a noble residential area, but was eventually transformed into a public space. This is a classic example of Gaudi’s perfect fusion of nature, architecture and art. The curved walkways, dragon-shaped fountains, colorful mosaic benches, and the gardens and arcades hidden in between are all fascinating.
The most famous is the “Ceramic Bench Square”, from which you can overlook the entire city and the sea, and it is also a popular place for many tourists to take photos.
5. Plaza Catalunya: The gathering place of the heart of the city
Location: Plaça de Catalunya, 08002 Barcelona
Opening hours: open all day (outdoor public space)
Suggested playing time: free stay from 30 minutes to 1 hour
Transportation route: Metro L1, L3 lines to Catalunya Station, or major buses and airport express lines can be reached
Booking platform: No need to buy tickets, free to visit; if you want to participate in the city walking group, you can book through GetYourGuide or Civitatis
Fee: Free
The intersection of business, transportation and culture
Plaza Catalunya is the busiest city center in Barcelona. It gathers large shopping malls, cafes and hotels, and is also the hub of many subway and bus lines. The square itself is one of the places with the strongest rhythm in the city, with fountains and sculptures as the visual center.
It is also the starting point of many walking routes, including the Gothic Quarter and Las Ramblas. If your schedule is tight, this is also the best place for you to quickly get in touch with the city’s style.
6. Tips for traveling: Make your trip to Barcelona smoother
Book in advance to save time and peace of mind
Popular attractions such as Casa Milà, Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló are often crowded, especially during the peak tourist season. Not only do you have to queue up to buy tickets on site, but you may also miss the opportunity to visit due to the number of people limit. It is recommended to book tickets in advance through third-party platforms such as GetYourGuide, Klook, Tiqets, etc. Not only can you choose a specific visiting time, but there are also options for audio guides or Chinese explanations, which will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the history, design concepts and cultural connotations of each building. If your budget allows, you can also choose a small group guided tour service for a more immersive itinerary.
Multi-attraction pass, a good helper to save money
If you plan to visit many Gaudi masterpieces intensively in two or three days, you can consider purchasing attraction passes such as Barcelona Pass or Go Barcelona Card. Such cards usually cover popular attractions such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, Park Güell, etc. Not only are the prices more cost-effective than buying tickets separately, but some also come with fast lanes or public transportation cards, which are extremely cost-effective. Some passes also come with maps, audio guide apps and store discounts, which are suitable for in-depth travelers.
Unlimited subway and bus rides make transportation easier
Barcelona’s public transportation network covers a wide range, with smooth connections between subways, buses, trams and city trains. It is recommended that tourists purchase the T-casual card (including 10 one-way tickets) or the Hola BCN card (available in 48-hour, 72-hour to 120-hour versions) which is more suitable for short-term tourists. During the validity period, you can take the subway and bus unlimited times, and easily shuttle between major attractions. The Hola BCN card can also be used in some airport transportation, which is very suitable for independent travelers to arrange flexible multi-point tour itineraries.
Casa Milà is like a business card of an artistic manifesto, turning “architecture” from the rationality of reinforced concrete to the boundary of senses and dreams. The solemnity of the Sagrada Familia, the childlike fun of the Casa Batlló, the wild beauty of Park Guell, and the hustle and bustle of Plaza Catalunya together form a three-dimensional and diverse portrait of the city.
For every traveler who visits Barcelona, these landmarks are not only check-in coordinates, but also a communication station for souls and art. In this city, every step may become the starting point of your inspiration.
If you are planning a trip about aesthetics, history and imagination, Barcelona will be a destination you cannot miss. And Casa Mila is the starting point of all this.
