I have scheduled a walking/traveling tour of several Gaudí Sites for early April. We will tour the Park Guell, Casa Vicens, and La Sagrada Familia. I want to add either or both La Pedrera and Battló interiors. At La Pedrera, there are several tours to chose from, including an early morning or evening. Would you share your opinion about which building and which tour within you found most rewarding. I really like architecture, but am not an architect!
Posted by
Chicago
1416 posts
I think this is very personal, but I liked La Pedrera a bit better than Battlo. This surprised me, I'd expected the reverse would be true. (I visited Barcelona in March 2024.)
Why? I especially enjoyed La Pedrera's apartment. I paid for the most expensive Battlo ticket giving me access to its private residence and everything else. After viewing both buildings, I thought Battlo was over-priced compared to La Pedrera's offerings - I did a standard day time tour there. (I don't regret paying to "see it all". I wouldn't do it again, however.)
I enjoyed the interior of Casa Vincens - quite different from La Pedrera and Battlo. Palau Güell is another residence easily reached in Barcelona - again, very different from any of the others.
To make life more confusing, there are additional modernist sites like Sant Pau, Casa Amatller, and Palau de la Música Catalana. All are worthwhile and unique. In my opinion, you won't "lose" no matter what you choose!
Posted by
Washington DC
28965 posts
I agree with ORDtraveler. Although I assume it would not be an issue if you took an off-hours tour (before or after the public opening hours) at Casa Batllo, I found CB even more crowded than La Pedrera during public hours in 2016. I can't imagine taking a group tour at either place during regular opening hours; both are sardine cans. I just used the audio guides.
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
306 posts
We traveled to Barcelona the fall of 2022, visiting Casa Mila/La Pedrera, Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and the exterior of many other modernista buildings. Mila apartments were interesting, more as history of the times and less architecturally. The attic was a gem for me seeing the structural details. But the roof - ahh, the roof! An amazing fantastical playground. We spent a long time there. We spent time on the park trails of Park Guell before getting to the plaza and main entrance. The trails were nice but we have lots of trails where we live. The entrance and plaza area is special and worthwhile. La Sagrada Familia is not to be missed, especially on a sunny day. It is a modern (1900s) twist on classic cathedrals with an absolutely lovely and delightful interior. Not all of Barcelona's architectural gems are modernista. You can find many buildings and plazas beautifully decorated with a variety of styles. It is a city that rewards wandering.
Posted by
OP
69 posts
Thank you to all of you for some good insight!