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Mention Barcelona and invariably the conversation will shift to Antoni Gaudi—the city’s most famous adopted son. If you're planning a beach holiday in nearby Lloret de Mar, Barcelona is well worth exploring before you jump on your transfer. The city is filled with the various important legacies of the late modernist architect Gaudi, and they dot the landscape, jutting out like visitors from another planet. There is no mistaking the work and if you're keen to learn more about Gaudi, streamline your tight itinerary to include these major works by the architect. The Quirky Casa Mila Calling Casa Mila “quirky” may be redundant, considering the fact that quirkiness was Gaudi’s signature. While your mind may be on the waiting beaches of Lloret de Mar, Barcelona for an afternoon should include a visit to this site at least. Gaudi spent the last few decades of his life in the city and Casa Mila was his last architectural work (built before 1910) before his mammoth task to attempt to complete (and eventually dismally failing) the Sagrada Familia. Largely the result of on-the-spot improvisation of Gaudi’s co-designers, Casa Mila's exterior features “wavy” balconies, as commonly seen in a quarry—hence, the moniker “pedrera” (or quarry). Similarly, the interior possesses absolutely no straight lines—everything is expressed in curves in varying degrees. Those accustomed to the straight lines of traditional architecture could not help but be astonished at Gaudi’s bold design. The Casa Batllo Colourful and, well, “gaudy,” Casa Batllo is one of the three renowned modernist buildings on what is considered the fashionable boulevard of Passeig de Gracia. Casa Batllo is often among the first visited site by international tourists. Fascinating both inside and out, Casa Batllo is a grand showcase of Gaudi’s talents, right down to details such as the tiles, wooden doors, and even the carved out fireplace. Unlike anything you are likely to see when you get to Lloret de Mar, Barcelona’s Casa Batllo is certainly one of a kind and well worth seeing. The Sagrada Familia And of course, we have saved the best (or at least the most famous) until last. Universally acknowledged as Gaudi’s “magnum opus,” the Sagrada Familia is often suggested as the first destination you should visit on a “Gaudi pilgrimage.” But as this is arguably the best and most famous of the works of the artist, perhaps deserves to be the one you should cap your day with before you get on your transfer to Lloret de Mar. Barcelona’s crowning glory, despite being unfinished, is its most popular: thousands of tourists flock to the church each day, admiring its spires (or rather, engaging in “imagining” the church in its future finished form). Currently under construction (yes, still), with architects extrapolating on Gaudi’s original design, the Sagrada Familia is slated for completion in 2030. Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a transfer to Lloret de Mar, Barcelona will be your pick up point. Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
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