There are 1,000 reasons to go to Barcelona. We go there to enjoy the excitement of a vibrant metropolis that is known all year round as the home of many students from all over the world and for its hectic nights. It also enjoys an exceptional location along the Mediterranean Sea and its generous sunshine makes it a city where people like to live outside, interacting with each other, in the different historic districts that make up the city. And then we also go there to admire its architecture. Many monuments, in medieval or Gothic style, attract the eye here and there, but it is Antoni Gaudí's modern monuments that make Barcelona such a unique place in the world. It is always a pleasure to get away to Barcelona and immerse yourself in the world of this extraordinary architect

Create a thematic tour around Gaudí's main architectural works

Antoni Gaudí, a great Catalan architect, has left an indelible mark on the beautiful city of Barcelona. Thus, from one district to another, it is pleasant to stop in front of his main works. It is very easy to create a thematic itinerary yourself, the main objective of which will be to discover these far from conventional monuments that are so emblematic of the Catalan capital. We start by going to see the Sagrada Familia, a religious building that has seen several architects succeed one another in order to finish it. Its eccentric appearance and the view of Barcelona from the top of the monument are unmistakable. We continue with the Güell Park, the second most visited place in the city. You can see the famous salamander, the large terrace surrounded by undulating benches and many other monuments as only Gaudí could bring them out of the ground. From the terrace, the view over the horizon is breathtaking. At another time, you have to go to the Gracia district to see the villas designed by the famous architect. Let's mention Casa Vicens which mixes oriental and baroque influences. Casa Mila surprises with its facade that undulates like waves. It is pleasant to stroll on the terrace to enjoy the panorama there too. At 48 de la Carrer de Casp is Casa Calvet, one of Gaudi's first and certainly the most conservative works. We can still recognize the artist's imprint as the curved façade, adorned with Montjuic stones and a very beautiful wrought iron used to finish the balconies. Now we head for the Sarrià district, to see not a building but a door, the Miralles Gate. Its zigzagging shapes are amazing and if it is not the most famous of Gaudi's monuments, the one that once gave access to Finca Miralles, a property that no longer exists today, is worth a visit. During your stay, you must also not stop going off the beaten track to see other wonders. The crypt of Colonia Güell, located 12 km from Barcelona in the municipality of Santa Coloma de Cervelló, is a formidable unfinished project of the architect whose colourful stained glass windows, sloping pillars and even benches remind us of the artist. The atmosphere is peaceful and it is a real favorite.

Casa Batlló, a unique place to stay

Back inside Barcelona, in Paseo de Gracia, to see the surprising facade of Casa Batlló, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Several materials were used for its construction, such as glass trencadis, polychrome ceramics, wrought iron and even stone. The result when you look at it is a rendering that reminds you of the different colours and aspects that you can see on the seabed. Every detail counts from the outside and it takes a long time to distinguish the different elements. The first two levels incorporate bone-shaped columns when higher up on the balconies, there are railings that evoke masks. We must also look at the roof and the tiles that appear like the scales of an animal with sparkling colours. The interior must also be seen to plunge even further into the world of Catalan modernism, starting with the entrance hall, which evokes an underwater world. Then we arrive at the noble floor, where the large modern spaces, the fireplace, the columns and the bay window explain how the bourgeoisie of the time lived. After passing through the interior garden and its phenomenal soil in shape and colour, we reach the attic and its more simplistic atmosphere, dominated by white. Finally, the roof terrace resembles the crest of a dragon and the 4 fireplaces are eye-catching, with their distinctive shape and colourful ceramic fragments

In summer, it is also possible to have a drink and listen to a concert on the roof terrace of the Casa Batlló, a unique experience, in the middle of a unique architectural universe