For travellers staying in an apartment in Barcelona, there is not one but seven amazing UNESCO World Heritage Sites located in and around the city that all were designed by architect and modernist Antoni Gaudí. See below for just a few of these must-see marvels in art and architecture.
Poblet Monastery
One of Spain’s oldest abbeys, the Poblet Monastery is located in the lush green village of Vimbodí. The architecture and design, both inside and out, are breathtaking, but what really makes it stand out is that it’s actually one of the most complete Cistercian abbeys in the entire world. There are usually two tours of the abbey each day, and the monastery can be visited from your Barcelona villa as a day trip. You could also consider a Catalonia villa rental in Reus or Tarragona, which are a little closer.
This famous concert hall is one of the only World Heritage Sites in the centre of Barcelona that wasn’t designed by Gaudí. Instead, it was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who was instrumental in the 19th-century revival of Catalan culture. Take a guided tour to learn more, or book tickets to see a performance of local and international operas and symphonies, as well as lectures and conferences, too. Located right in the heart of historic Ciutat Vella (Old Town), it’s quick and easy to reach from many villas in Barcelona.
This World Heritage Site is located very close to another: Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia. A working hospital until fairly recently — 2009 — today the site is a popular museum and cultural centre attracting both locals and visitors, and it’s just as impressive on the outside as it is on the inside, designed in the classic Art Nouveau style. The hospital is situated in the El Guinardó neighbourhood, where you’ll find many luxury Barcelona holiday rentals, as well as great sights and attractions, like the Guinardó municipal park.
Tárraco
Although the town is today known as Tarragona, it was once referred to as Tárraco, and was one of the country’s most prominent Roman centres. The archaeological remains of Tárraco were declared a World Heritage Site in 2000, and are well worth visiting. It takes slightly more than one hour to drive from your Barcelona accommodation to Tarragona, and you pass through many other beautiful places along the way, including the fantastic coastal resorts of Sitges and Vilanova which are renowned for their beaches.
