UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Barcelona.

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Barcelona is home to multiple UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most of which also happen to be Antoni Gaudi designs, and most of which are open to the public for them to enjoy.

We will list the sites here and let you know where they are open to the public and will provide ticket options for those that we have Direct tickets available for.

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The Sagrada Familia (see all ticket options)

The yet unfinished Sagrada Familia is Barcelona's most famous and most popular tourist attraction. Its said that the Sagrada Familia (or to give it its full title 'The expiatory temple of the Sagrada Familia' attracts around 20,000,000 visitors to the area each year just to see it from the outside alone, with around 6,000,000 purchasing tickets to enjoy the inside of it as well. Its one of the most popular tourist attractions across the whole of Spain, let alone just Barcelona.

The Sagrada Familia became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its Nativity façade and the crypt. Its grouped under the title of "Works of Antoni Gaudi" by UNESO and includes other Gaudi designs and properties, which we will list below.

The Sagrada Familia was started in 1882 and is yet unfinished. Its expected completion date of 2026 having been pushed back and no current date being given.

The Sagrada Familia was designed by the late local Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi, who was also responsible for several of the other UNESCO World Heritage Sites listed below.

Gaudi had dedicated himself to the Sagrada Familia project and had stopped taking other commissions in order that he could solely concentrate on his crowning glory and passion project, The Sagrada Familia.

Gaudi sadly died in 1926 when he was hit by a tram locally in Barcelona, so never got to see the finished property, which is still unfinished to this day, more than 100 years after it was started.

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Park Güell (see ticket options)

Park Güell was actually originally going to be a housing estate for the wealthy and elite of Barcelona, as a weekend retreat away from the city. However, due to unexpected costs, only two properties were ever completed (one of which Gaudi went on to live in until the end of his life and is now the Gaudi House Museum and open to the public - (click here for tickets). The housing estate had been the idea of Eusebi Güell, a wealthy local businessman and close friend of Gaudi, and the estate was to have around 70 properties on it. The housing estate project ground to a standstill due to costs and eventually, Güell eventually handed the land over to The City of Barcelona, and Antoni Gaudi went on to design the land into the park it is today and Park Güell was born.

Opened to the public in 1926, Park Güell is now visited by around 10,000,000 people each year, be it locals or tourists. Park Güell has two sections:

The Monumental Zone which covers around 12 hectares (30 acres) and you need to purchase a ticket to access this section. This section is home to the famous sections such as the Dragon Stairway, the Porter's Lodge Pavilion, The Hypostyle Room, The Greek Theatre and the Austria Gardens, which is also where the two properties sit that were completed, one being the Gaudi House Museum.

The Forest Zone which covers a further 7 hectares (17 acres) and is free to access and doesn't require a ticket.

Park Guell was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and also sits as part of the "Works of Antoni Gaudi".

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Casa Batlló (see ticket options)

Casa Batlló was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2005, and sits as part of the "Works of Antoni Gaudi". The property was originally built by Emilio Sala Cortes, who was actually one of Antoni Gaudi's architectural professors at university. It was later purchased by a gentleman called Mr. Josep Batlló y Casanovas in 1903, which is where the name of the property now comes from. Batlló y Casanovas then commissioned Gaudi to redo the property, which Gaudi then completed in 1906.

Casa Batlló was then sold several times between the 1950's to the 90's, at which point the Bernat family purchased the property and they still own it to this day. In 1995 the family decided they wanted the public to be able to enjoy the property and on that basis they opened it to the public and Casa Batlló now welcomes around 1,000,000 visitors each year and is now one of Barcelona's most popular tourist attractions.

Casa Milà La Pedrera (see ticket options)

Casa Milà or 'La Pedrera' as its referred to due to it looking like an open rock quarry, is another incredible Gaudi design. Casa Milà - La Pedrera was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list under the "Works of Antoni Gaudi" in 1984. The property had to be restored having been left to neglect for a considerable amount of time and then in 1996, it was finally opened to the public for their enjoyment, and similar to Casa Batlló also welcomes around 1,000,000 visitors each year. In fact, one of our best selling combination tickets is entry to both Casa Batlló & Casa Milà (Click HERE to see the combination ticket).

Casa Milà - La Pedrera was commissioned by Pere Milà and his wife, Roser Segimon. They asked Gaudi to create a family home for them. He started the project in 1906 and it was completed in 1912. With Casa Milà being such a large property, the Milà family only lived in one part of the property and rented the rest of it out. Located on Passeig de Gràcia, which is one of the most fashionable placed to live in Barcelona, and the place to be seen, the demand for the property was high, so they didn't have an issue in finding tenants to live at the property.

Gaudi caused issues during the construction process as he actually refused to follow local building guidelines. This meant the building ended up being bigger than permission had been granted, meaning it was actually an iliegal structure when it was initially completed. It was only after that the local council deemed Casa Milà a "monument in nature" and that title meant it didn't have to abide by council rules and thus they got away with it!

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Palau de la Música Catalana (see ticket options)

The Palau de la Música was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The design of the property allows light to flood in through the incredible stained glass windows and creates a mesmerizing show of colours. Found in the Barri Gotic part of the city, construction began on the property in 1905 and it was finally opened in 1908.

Domènech i Montaner, wanted the Palau de la Música to be a garden for music and wanted its visitors to immerse themselves in the events held there. The property went through refurbishment in the 80's under the direction of architect Óscar Tusquets, but Tusquets didn't change the buildings original charm or presence.

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Palau Güell - Güell Palace (see ticket options)

Palau Güell or Güell Palace was commissioned by the wealthy industrialist, Eusebi Güell. It was one of Gaudi's first major commissions and started his friendship with Eusebil Güell, the same 'Güell' where Park Güell comes from. The palace was constructed between 1886 and 1890 with its design and intention being to serve as a family residence and also a place to host events. Instantly recognisable as a Gaudi property, you first note the façade with its incredibly dark appearance.

Palau Güell was given UNESCO World Heritate Site status in 1984 and is now a leading tourist attraction in Barcelona. Although it is generally lesser known than some of Gaudi's other sites, we think Palau Güell is definitely worth a visit.

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Sant Pau Hospital (see ticket options)

Sant Pau Hospital was designed by the famous architect, Lluis Domènech i Montaner. Built on top of a medieval hospital, Sant Pau Hospital was radical, at the time. Designed to help patients heal their spirits with architectural and natural beauty, the hospital consists of 16 pavilions as well as underground tunnels! Sant Pau Hospital was given UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1997 and now welcomes around 120,000 visitors each year.

Casa Vicens (see ticket options)

Casa Vicens. Another magical Antoni Gaudi property. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site Status in 2005, Casa Vicens is now actually owned by an Andorran bank but is open for the public to enjoy with the appropriate ticket. Originally designed for a gentleman called Manel Vicens i Montaner and built between 1883 & 1885, Gaudi didn't design this property in his usual style, but instead in his orientalist period. The property then went through various changes between 1935 and 1964 and remains the same today. In 1993, Casa Vicens was also awarded an Asset of National Cultural Interest and its been owned by Morabanc, an Andorran bank since 2014, who have since refurbished it to bring it back to its old standard in order that the public can enjoy it.

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