Entrance gate to Bellesguard

©Esme Fox/Lonely Planet

Bellesguard

Barcelona


An entrancing work that combines Gothic and Modernista elements, this lesser-known Gaudí masterpiece was rescued from obscurity and opened to visitors in 2013. Built between 1900 and 1909, the private residence (still owned by the Guilera family) has a castle-like appearance with crenellated walls of stone and brick, narrow stained-glass windows, elaborate ironwork, gorgeous gardens and a soaring turret topped by a colourfully tiled Gaudían cross, along with spectacular city views. There's been a manor here since the 1400s.

One-hour guided tours in Catalan, Spanish and English run on Saturday and Sunday (€16; book ahead). At other times, you can visit the building's interior and the grounds with a multilingual audioguide.

Bellesguard is a 1.4km walk west of Avinguda Tibidabo train station, though several buses pass nearby (196, 123, V13, H2). Check schedules before making the trek out – it's sometimes closed for private events.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Barcelona attractions

1. CosmoCaixa

0.36 MILES

One of the city’s most popular family-friendly attractions, this science museum is a favourite with kids (and kids at heart). The single greatest…

2. Observatori Fabra

0.65 MILES

Inaugurated in 1904, this Modernista observatory 415m above sea level on Tibidabo is still a functioning scientific foundation. On certain evenings…

3. Col·legi de les Teresianes

0.71 MILES

Built in 1889 for the Order of St Teresa, this striking, fortress-like Gaudí creation has exposed-brick pillars and steep catenary arches, each of which…

4. Torre de Collserola

0.85 MILES

Sir Norman Foster designed the 288m-high, 1992-completed Torre de Collserola telecommunications tower on the slopes of Tibidabo. An external glass lift…

5. Parc d’Atraccions Tibidabo

0.95 MILES

The reason most barcelonins travel up to Tibidabo's summit is for some thrills at this old-school funfair. Here you'll find whirling high-speed rides and…

6. Basílica del Sagrat Cor de Jesús

0.98 MILES

At the very top of 512m-tall Tibidabo hill, overlooking the Parc d'Atraccions, this landmark basilica is meant to be Barcelona’s answer to Paris’ Sacré…

7. Tibidabo

1 MILES

Framing the north end of the city, the pine-forested mountain of Tibidabo, which tops out at 512m, is the highest peak in Serra de Collserola. Much of its…