
Careful planning informed my visit to all the major Antoni Gaudí sites in and around Barcelona (including non-inscribed Gaudí buildings like Casa Figueres "Bellesguard"). All tickets were reserved well in advance. With gratitude, I am pleased to say all 7 components are open for visitors, no scaffolding or major ongoing renovations presently, and all can (and probably should be) reserved in advance. The order of components we visited was based on multiple considerations, sequential order, geographic location / public transit, and time of day. Previously referenced long lines seem to be largely relegated to the past at most sites, since tickets routinely sell out online. I personally witnessed disappointed travelers at 2 components who were turned away since they did not have reserved tickets. Based on Hubert's review in 2014, the aggregate cost of tickets has increased 40% in the past decade.
Visited Order + Cost
- Palau Güell (1886-90) €12
- Casa Vicens (1883-85) €18
- Nativity Façade of the Sagrada Família (1884-1926) €26
- Park Güell (1904-16) €10
- Crypt at the Colònia Güell (1898-1905) €15
- Casa Batlló (1904-06) €29
- Casa Milà "La Pedrera" (1906-10) €28
Cost: €138 per person (€276 for 2 visitors)
Since we had 7 full days in Barcelona, the visits were spread out 1 or 2 sites per day. We also opted for only booking self-guided tours, which usually consist of a mobile audioguide device (multiple languages are available). I specifically chose the earliest Gaudí buildings first, starting with Palau Güell an hour before sunset. The timing was superb as we reached the rooftop. The next morning we visited Casa Vicens, which is accessible by Metro train. I took particular note in one room of models of Modernist sites around the World, including other world heritage sites. On the 3rd day (Monday), we saved two of the major highlights: Sagrada Família and Park Güell. We arrived via metro train at the opening time for Sagrada Família and long admired the Nativity Facade before entering the Basílica. My wife was moved to tears once she entered the now nearly complete Sagrada Família. After our morning visit we opted for an Uber directly to Park Güell (quite reasonable cost), a few hours exploring later we walked down the hill to the nearest metro station. The following day we took a break from Gaudí and focused on Lluís Domènech i Montaner's contributions to Catalan Modernism. Next on our itinerary was the excursion just outside Barcelona to the Crypt at the Colònia Güell. From the Plaça d'Espanya station its a fairly easy trip out to Colònia Güell, your purchased 'combination' ticket in advance will pay for your train as well (no hassle). For our final day in Barcelona, we focused on Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, both walking distance from each other and our hotel.
Our impressions? Magical. If all 8 Frank Lloyd Wright inscribed components were in one city, it might feel like this.
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