The back story 1
In-depth stories behind the list.
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The back story
Gaudí and the Modernistas: the back story
How a 19th-century grid became an open-air gallery of Modernisme, and why the Sagrada Família is still being built.
10 of the best · Barcelona, Spain
The Best Things to See and Do in Barcelona
The Sagrada Família and Gaudí’s houses, the Modernista pavilions of Sant Pau, the cathedral and Santa Maria del Mar, and the view from Tibidabo.
Our 10 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
What's onThis week in Barcelona
Insiders' picks
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Barcelona.
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UNESCO World Heritage
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Gaudí’s basilica, still being completed, with its central tower inaugurated in June 2026.
Mallorca 401, 08013 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Book the Monumental Zone
Park Güell
Gaudí’s hillside park of mosaic benches and gingerbread lodges above Gràcia.
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UNESCO World Heritage
Casa Batlló
Gaudí’s house of bone-like balconies and a dragon-scale roof on Passeig de Gràcia.
Passeig de Gràcia 43, 08007 BarcelonaExplore View on map
The full list: Sights, A–Z
Show all 10 places on a map
Neighbourhood
Gaudí 5
The Works of Antoni Gaudí.
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UNESCO World Heritage
Basílica de la Sagrada Família
Gaudí’s basilica, still being completed, with its central tower inaugurated in June 2026.
Mallorca 401, 08013 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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UNESCO World Heritage
Casa Batlló
Gaudí’s house of bone-like balconies and a dragon-scale roof on Passeig de Gràcia.
Passeig de Gràcia 43, 08007 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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UNESCO World Heritage
Casa Milà – La Pedrera
Gaudí’s rippling stone apartment building, with the warrior chimneys on its roof.
Passeig de Gràcia 92, 08008 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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UNESCO World Heritage
Casa Vicens
Gaudí’s tiled house in the streets of Gràcia.
Carolines 20–26, 08012 BarcelonaExplore View on map
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Book the Monumental Zone
Park Güell
Gaudí’s hillside park of mosaic benches and gingerbread lodges above Gràcia.
Modernisme 1
Beyond Gaudí.
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UNESCO World Heritage
Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau
Domènech i Montaner’s hospital of tiled pavilions and gardens, a walk from the Sagrada Família.
The old town 2
Gothic churches.
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The heart of the Gothic Quarter
Barcelona Cathedral
The Gothic cathedral of Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia, with its cloister of geese.
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Catalan Gothic
Santa Maria del Mar
The great Catalan Gothic church of El Born, light and spare inside.
Views 1
Above the city.
