Riding around Barcelona with the views from the top of the Bus Turistic , the city is even more beautiful than I expected. The Via’s are wide and tree lined and every where you turn is another striking building, placa or fountain.
Buildings often have exquisite design features, some by Gaudi himself, others influenced by his work.
Why have plain when you can have intricate?
There are streets and streets with apartment blocks like this, with the volume of traffic going past they must be very high maintenance.
I always wonder about the people living behind the windows, can they ever open them and enjoy their balconies in the continuous city noise?
Of course if you live in one of the luxury apartments in Casa Terrades, a Gothic, fairytale castle, I’m sure you wouldn’t have to worry about the outside world, can you imagine Rapunzel’s hair flowing down from here?
One of the places I’d like to see when I return to Barcelona is the modernist Casa Mila, known locally as La Pedrera, it’s a UNESCO world heritage site and Gaudi’s last civic work. It’s given the name Pedrera which means ‘Stone Quarry’because of its rough exterior appearance. I’d like to go up to the roof and get a closer look at the art looking back at you, fascinating stone sculpture that you see from the street.
This pretty building was one of my favourites, but I don’t remember what it’s called, does anyone know anything about it?
This fantastical building is Casa Batllo, one of Gaudi’s greatest masterpieces. I really wish I’d had time to see it, if you go to Barcelona allow as much time as you can, there is so, so much to see and you will quite likely feel as frustrated as i did, having to miss things like this out!
The blue Bus Turistic also stops at Sagrada Familia ans we got off long enough to find out that there was absolutely no chance of going inside at that time. The ticket office said go away and book online, no tickets were available that day. We were so glad we hadn’t waited until the last day.
I’ll be posting again about Gaudi’s greatest and unfinished achievement, meanwhile for now I’m ending with a photo of Barcelona by night, at Placa d’Espanya.
Enjoy!
Lucid Gypsy 
That church is brilliant in real time.. Gaudi is like a fantasy tale in buildings.. love them..
I think it was said that another 50 years at least for the church..??
I knew this would be a difficult read for me! We MUST go back soon!
I’ve never decided whether I want to go to Barcelona or not, but your post has made it look very enticing…..
Just about everyone I know has been to Barcelona and, inexplicable, I never have. Your pictures make me wonder why (again). Must rectify this….
Excellent post and gorgeous photos. I love You photo Sagrada Familia very much, because last winter in Finland it was made in snow!!!
World’s tallest ice Cathedral (Sagrada Família in ice).
Happy and safe travels!
Fabulous architecture, have enjoyed the ‘virtual’ tour with you, Gilly. 🙂
Thanks Liz, I’ll be back with the real stars of my trip soon 🙂
I loved Barcelona! Definitely one of my favorites.
Wonderful views from the bus, Gilly. Your mystery building is the Casa Mila, better know as La Pedrera, meaning ‘The Quarry’. It caused quite a sensation when it was being built, because of the bold form of its undulating stone facade and the wrought iron decoration of the balconies and windows. Oh how I love Gaudi’s unique style of architecture. I have to go back there one day to see the completed Sagrada Familia. 🙂
Thanks Sylvia, I meant the photo underneath though, the Pedrera is above. I hope you go back, the basilica is due to be finished in 2026, that will be 100 years after Gaudi’s death.
Love the pictures, Gilly. The architecture is fantastic. I had an ESL student (a teacher) stay with me for a while. Afterwards, she sent me a calendar with that exact fountain, some of the spell-binding buildings of the most architectural interest. I still have it…somewhere. Thank you for this tour. I’ve always wanted to visit Spain. Happy Mother’s Day from Canada.
Happy Mothers Day Tess, now I’m in shock because I’ve always believed that you live in the US! I hope you do visit Spain but more importantly England which is far nicer!
Ha ha ha. I wouldn’t mind visiting England either. ❤ ❤
Great photos! I’ve been lucky enough to have visited Barcelona twice, first for a hen weekend the May bank holiday which happened to be the weekend of the F1 Grand Prix in 2003, it was hot (80F+), full to bursting and amazing but apart from the Bus Turistic tour and many many walks up and down Las Ramblas there was no sightseeing as such, lots of sangria and tapas though! The second time, was a January about five years ago for my hubby’s birthday which involved as much sightseeing as we could cram into the weekend. Again the weather was great (in the 60’s, not what we expected for January!) and we ate lunch outside, no coats, everyday! The architecture and the Sagrada Familia in particular are amazing but my favourite place from that weekend was the Picasso museum/gallery. We didn’t see anywhere near everything so I would love to go back again one day. Thanks for bringing back so many happy memories 🙂
I can’t believe you took all these amazing photos from the top of a bus. It’s made Barcelona look even more enticing than your other post did. Thank you for a great introduction to a city I now must visit.
Thanks Meg these aren’t the best, wait until you see Parc Guell and Sagrada Familia!
Barcelona is one of the most beautiful city I know. Whenever we pass we will visit and discover something new.
I had only one day in Barcelona and it just whet my appetite. I’m loving seeing all the places I missed through your eyes and from the top of the bus. Sadly I don’t think I will get back there so I am savouring your posts Gilly.
Casa Mila was wonderful up on the roof, Gilly! I’m wondering if you made it to the theatre, whose name I’ve temporarily forgotten, but which was one of my absolute favourites? (near the Cathedral) It really is a glorious place, with so many aspects. 🙂
Excellent, excellent architecture!!! It’s no wonder why Gaudi is so renowned. Places I’ve been hoping to visit if I ever go back to Spain. And thanks for showing us the city views.
Beautiful Balchony’s 🙂