15 Famous Buildings in Barcelona You Won’t Want to Miss

A trip to Barcelona wouldn’t be complete without visiting or at least getting a glimpse of its famous buildings.

As someone who lives in Barcelona, I’ve definitely developed a deep appreciation for the city’s iconic architecture. 

In this post, I’ll share my top picks for the must-see famous buildings in Barcelona that you won’t want to miss. 

Even if you’re not an architectural enthusiast, these eye-catching structures created by Barcelona’s most talented architects are definitely worth visiting.

📍 Location: Google Maps

La Sagrada Familia has to be at the top of the list of Barcelona’s most famous buildings, as it’s the real star of the show and shouldn’t be missed when visiting the city.

Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, La Sagrada Familia was pretty much his magnum opus–he wanted the church to be nothing less than perfect when construction began in 1882.  

Unfortunately, that vision of perfection never saw completion because his life was tragically cut short due to an accident. 

Today, La Sagrada Familia is still under construction and the completion date has been tentatively announced for 2026–a whopping 144 years later!

Located in the Eixample neighborhood, it’s one of the most famous churches in Barcelona with twisted towers and ornate facades that blend nature and architecture in the most mind-blowing way.

When you enter, you’ll be greeted with a line of columns that reach several hundred feet, bathed in the ethereal glow of intricately decorated stained glass windows that reflect the four seasons. 

Pro Tip: If you want to go inside (and you most definitely should!), make sure to book your tickets at least two weeks in advance on the official website to secure a spot.  And if tickets are sold out, check Viator or GetYourGuide for last minute availability.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Casa Batlló is another one of Antoni Gaudí’s works and one of the most famous landmarks in Spain. It’s located on Passeig de Gràcia, right next to Casa Amatller (which I’ll also cover in this post).  

Casa Batlló is sometimes called the House of the Dragon because the roof looks like a dragon’s back and the shattered glass pieces like a curved tail.

It’s a remodel of an earlier home, redesigned in 1904 at the request of the Batlló family. 

Between 1904 and 1906, Gaudí reimagined the building’s facade, expanded the light well, and restructured the internal layout while ensuring the home remained functional.

Casa Batlló now functions as an architectural museum and is open every day from 9:00am to 8:30pm. A variety of entrance tickets are available and can be purchased on the official website.

📍 Location: Google Maps   

Casa Milá is a must-see for lovers of modernista architecture. It’s also known as La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry) because the building is almost entirely made of stone. 

Designed by the one and only Antoni Gaudí, Casa Milá was a divergence of the architectural styles of the 1900s. It’s both functional and ornate, with walls resembling the moving waves of the sea. 

The interior is just as interesting as the exterior–large glass-stained windows, carved corners that appear almost fluid, and detailed wrought iron elements adorning the walls and ceiling. 

Casa Milá is open every day from 9:00 am to 8:30 pm (closes at 6:30 pm during the winter) and reopens from 9 pm to 11 pm for night sessions. You can buy a ticket from the official website.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Casa Vicens is yet another testament to Antoni Gaudí’s brilliance. It may not be as grand as La Sagrada Familia but its bright colors make it just as eye-catching. 

Casa Vicens is Gaudí’s first major work, commissioned by currency broker Manuel Vicens i Montaner when Gaudí was only 30 years old. Every inch of Casa Vicens showcases the passion and dedication Gaudí poured into this early masterpiece.

The building is adorned with colorful ceramic patterns, marigold tiling, horseshoe arches, and geometric motifs.

Casa Vicens is located in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona, a bit outside of the city center but still within walking distance of La Pedrera.

Both guided tours and self-guided visits are available to see the inside of this stunning house in Barcelona.

📍 Location: Google Maps

No trip to Barcelona is complete without a visit to the Barcelona Cathedral. It’s one of the city’s most well-known cathedrals, renowned for its Gothic and Neo-gothic style architecture. 

Also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia or La Seu, it has stunning towering spires and intricate details.

And there’s even 13 white geese that live in the cloister (courtyard), honoring Saint Eulalia’s age when she became a martyr.

If you want to go inside this gothic cathedral, there’s an entrance fee, which includes an audio guide (make sure to bring headphones). You can also climb to the roof of the church for amazing views of city.

If you decide to visit, I would recommend doing it early in the morning so it’s not as crowded and make sure to dress appropriately with knees and shoulders covered.  

📍 Location: Google Maps

Designed by Catalan architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch in 1898, the Casa Amatller is the first modernist building of the Manzana de la Discòrdia block of Barcelona, and located right next to Casa Batlló. 

The interior of Casa Amatller is preserved in its original condition, with furniture and decorations giving you a glimpse of how the rich lived in the early 20th century.

The space is pretty large–it’ll take around 45 minutes to explore the entire place with a tour guide.

And don’t miss trying some of the chocolate available in the gift shop, as the family was in the chocolate business.

Casa Amatller is open from 10:00am to 7:00pm and tickets can be purchased online here.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Also known as the Palace of Catalan Music, the Palau de la Música Catalana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most stunning concert halls in Barcelona.

The palace is located in the middle of the city of Barcelona near El Born and the Gothic Quarter, so it’s definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.

It’s decorated with mosaics, sculptures, intricate woodwork, vibrant colors, and textures that make you appreciate the genius of 20th-century architects—specifically Lluís Domènech I Montaner. 

To fully appreciate the concert hall, check the schedule and try to visit on a day with a performance.

There’s a performance most days of the year by various artists, including musical concerts, guitar trios, flamenco, dance, and more. 

📍 Location: Google Maps

Palau Güell, commissioned by Catalan entrepreneur Eusebi Güell in 1885, is another one of Antoni Gaudí’s masterpieces. 

While the exterior isn’t as extravagant as his other projects, the interior transports you to an entirely different timeline.

The first floor features a stunning music room with a rebuilt organ. It’s the heart of the building, with walls that curve upwards to form a dome. 

The second floor is where you’ll find the family rooms, some with wrought iron decorations and others with grand, stained-glass windows. 

The basement is dark and dreary—but the ominous feel might be explained by the fact that it was used as a torture chamber by the police after the Spanish Civil War. It’s a chilling reminder of the city’s dark past.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Formerly known as Torre Agbar, Torre Glories is a bullet-shaped 38-story, 466-foot (144 m) skyscraper that literally towers over the city, lighting the night sky with its colorful, ever-changing facade. 

Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, Torre Glories was built between 1999 and 2005, so it’s one of the more modern buildings on this list of Barcelona famous buildings. 

It’s avant-garde and high-tech, made of aluminum sheets of different colors that appear lighter the higher they go. It also contains over 4,500 lighting devices, illuminating the surface in millions of colors.

While most of the building is office space, tickets to the observation deck on the 30th floor can be purchased on the official website.

📍 Location: Google Maps

If you’re looking for the best views in all of Barcelona, don’t miss visiting the Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is located on the summit of Tibidabo mountain.

You can get to Tibidabo by taking public transportation from the city center, followed by a funicular ride to the top of the mountain–it’s kind of like an uphill train that’s a quick and fun ride!

Once you get to the top, you’ll be greeted by the colorful rides and attractions at the Tibidabo amusement park, which is adjacent to the church.

Entrance to the church is free and the interior is even more impressive, with grand ceilings, intricate paintings, and stained glass windows. 

You can also pay extra to take an elevator to the top of the church for even more incredible views.  This is the highest point in all of Barcelona so it’s definitely worth it!

📍 Location: Google Maps

The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (National Art Museum of Catalonia) is one of the largest art museums in Barcelona and home to over 25,000 pieces of Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque, Renaissance, and modern art. 

Here, you’ll find pieces by well-known artists like Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Antoni Tàpies, and many others.

In addition to paintings, you’ll find posters, prints, and drawings dating from the 16th century, as well as 134,000 medals and coins. 

The National Palace is located in Plaza de España, sitting atop Montjuïc mountain and near Montjuic Castle–one of the best castles in Barcelona.

📍 Location: Google Maps

If you’re a fan of soccer (football), Camp Nou is a must-visit.  

Camp Nou is recognized by UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) as a category 4 stadium, the highest stadium category. 

It’s the biggest stadium in Europe, with a seating capacity of nearly 100,000 people and the home ground of FC Barcelona.

Unfortunately, the stadium is currently under construction and matches will take place at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.

However, Camp Nou Experience tickets are still available to the New Barça Museum and the Construction Viewpoint.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Casa de Les Punxes, also known as Casa Terradas, is a mansion designed by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch. 

Built in 1905, it resembles a modern medieval castle. The name Casa de les Punxes translates to House of Spikes, alluding to spikes sitting atop the towers of the building.  

The building is located on Avinguda Diagonal in the Eixample neighborhood, and its structure is instantly recognizable because it’s a complete contrast to the buildings surrounding it. 

Casa de Les Punxes is now home to an events and coworking space, and day, weekly, or monthly passes can be purchased on the official website.

📍 Location: Google Maps

Once a hospital, Sant Pau Recinte Modernista has since been renovated into a cultural and research complex. 

Today, it houses international organizations like the European Forest Institute, the Global University Network for Innovation, and the United Nations University Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility. 

Architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner designed Sant Pau Recinte Modernista (then called Hospital de la Santa Creu) with patient well-being and recovery in mind. 

Montaner believed there was no better way to heal than being surrounded by natural light, beautiful gardens, and charming architecture.

He wasn’t wrong because the original Hospital de la Santa Creu was considered a groundbreaking institution for its time. 

Both self-guided and guided tours are available, although they are only in Spanish and Catalan. More information can be found on the official website.

📍 Location: Google Maps

The Fundació Tàpies is a museum dedicated to the life and work of Antoni Tàpies, a Catalan painter, sculptor, and art theorist. It was founded in 1984 in hopes of promoting the study of contemporary and modern art. 

The museum is located in Carrer d’Aragó, near Passeig de Gracia. Inside, you’ll find dozens of paintings, sculptures, and books, as well as temporary exhibitions showcasing the works of other contemporary artists. 

The museum also houses a library, a research center, and a space for educational activities.

I hope this guide has helped you discover some of the best buildings to visit in Barcelona!  

These ornate structures are a part of Barcelona’s history and unlike buildings you’d see in any other city in the world.

The beautiful buildings of Antoni Gaudi such as the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and La Pedrera are the most popular, but there are also many other unique buildings by other famous architects that are worth exploring.

And even if you don’t go inside, just walking around the city and admiring the modern architecture is an experience in itself.

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