Barcelona to Gaudi sites: Private day trip

Eusebi Guell sought out Gaudi’s artistic hand to create a church for a textile workers’ village. Of the planned structure, only the crypt was completed before funding ran out, yet this incomplete vision is a testament to some of Gaudi’s most innovative structural solutions. Now a UNESCO-recognized site, the interior is an impressive collection of inclined columns, parabolic arches, and hyperbolic vaults - all of which he would later replicate in the Sagrada Familia. Visitors can immerse themselves in the quiet, organic atmosphere of the interior and marvel at the on-site exhibition of Gaudi’s models. Verify opening times (typically from 10:00-17:00 on weekdays and 10:00-15:00 on weekends, varying seasonally) and entry fees before visiting: https://www.gaudicoloniaguell.org/

The Montserrat Monastery is perched atop the “Serrated Mountain” and has been a major spiritual pilgrimage site for centuries. It houses a 12th-century statue of Catalonia’s patron saint, the “La Moreneta” (Black Madonna). The area is thought to have inspired Gaudí’s work, which seems to mirror some of the unique rock formations and spectacular spiritual architecture of this place. Visitors can enjoy the array of hiking paths around the monastery and pop into the museum, which houses works by Caravaggio, Monet, and Picasso. Most days at 1:00 PM, one of Europe’s oldest boys’ choirs, L’Escolania, performs, an experience not to be missed. Verify performance times and entrance fees online before visiting: https://www.montserratvisita.com/