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Barcelona was supposed to give us two and a half days. Thanks to some flight chaos on the front end of this trip (you can read about that here), we ended up with a day and a half instead. Our planned Gaudi Walking Tour was originally scheduled for a time we were still on the airplane. Luckily, we messaged the tour provider, and they were able to squeeze us into what was supposed to be a private tour the next day.

This tour ended up being a great way to see the sites in a short amount of time.

Getting There: Barcelona’s Metro Deserves a Shoutout

Before we even got to the tour, we have to talk about how we got around Barcelona in general, because the metro system genuinely impressed us. We rode it from the Gothic Quarter over to the Sagrada Família area, and out of every city metro we’ve used in the past few years, this was easily the best one.

Is it crowded? Yes. Is it hot? Also yes — the platforms were sweltering, and every local down there had a hand fan going like it was a required accessory. But the trains themselves were air-conditioned, there were clear signs telling you exactly when the next train was arriving, and the whole system was just easy to navigate. If you’re nervous about public transit in a foreign city, Barcelona’s metro is a great one to build confidence on.

The Cathedral and the Geese

Before meeting our tour, we wandered through Barcelona Cathedral, timed unfortunately with mass in session, so we could only explore the cloister area — which, as it turns out, is home to a flock of enormous white geese.

The story, as best we can remember it, is that geese have been kept in that cloister for something like a thousand years, with the number of geese meant to symbolically correspond to the number of wounds suffered by a martyr (we’ll admit the details are fuzzy on which one). Whatever the exact history, there were signs posted warning visitors that the geese are mean, and we took that seriously. Look, don’t pet.

The Gaudí Tour Itself

Our tour was a walking tour, not a ticketed, go-inside-the-buildings kind of experience — which was honestly fine given our time crunch, though we’d absolutely go back and pay for entry with more days in the city.

We walked past a striking building that isn’t actually a Gaudí work at all — some kind of performing arts or fine arts building — that turned out to be Palau de la Música Catalana, dedicated to Catalan music and choral tradition. Even without going inside, it’s worth slowing down for.

The highlight for us was walking by Casa Batlló, one of Gaudí’s most famous houses (top). It’s the one you’ve probably seen photos of — vivid blue tones, dramatically curved balconies, a facade that looks almost alive. Our guide walked us through the history of the building and the family who lived there, and even from the outside, it’s clear why people build entire trips around Gaudí’s architecture.

It ended up being a great overview of a different side of the city and a solid crash course in Gaudí’s influence on Barcelona. With more time, going inside Casa Batlló (and honestly, several other Gaudí sites) is high on our list for next time.

A Word on Our Guide — and Some Very Kind Strangers

We have to give credit where it’s due: this tour happened because a group of fellow Michiganders had booked a private guide and generously let us tag along. We were genuinely grateful for that kindness — it’s the kind of small moment that makes travel better.

Our guide, Simón, was knowledgeable and easy to follow, and made a tour we squeezed into an already packed day feel worthwhile instead of rushed. To book your Gaudi tour of Barcelona, check out Viator.

Thanks for stopping by! Check out our Go See Do Explore Podcast, available wherever you listen to podcasts. To read about some of our previous trips, visit my Trips Page. If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page and follow me on Instagram! For my list of gadgets to make your travels easier, click here.