A trip to Barcelona would not be complete without visiting the work of Antoni Gaudi. His Gothic door knockers, colourful tiled mosaics and architectural influences pepper the city's buildings, temples and parkland. In fact, stay at one of the best hotels in the Barcelona, and it is impossible to miss him.

Gaudi was born in southern Catalonia and graduated from the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura in Barcelona. He is responsible for some of the greatest buildings in the city still standing today and was commissioned by many of its wealthiest people. Gaudi died crossing the road in Barcelona in 1926 and was buried in one of the most famous buildings he worked on, the Sagrada Familia.

Sagrada Familia

According to Barcelona Tourist Guide, the Sagrada Familia is the most popular tourist attraction in the city, drawing in more than two million visitors a year. Controversy has surrounded current construction after some critics said it was far from what Gaudi would have initially had in mind. The architect was commissioned to oversee part of the construction, which started in 1882 and is still ongoing. Admission to the temple on Calle Mallorca is €10 (£7.92).

La PedreraGaudi's wavy brickwork and colourful tiles are signatures on La Pedrera or Casa Mila. According to the Tourist Guide, it is the fourth most popular attraction in Barcelona with just over one million visitors a year. The Espai Gaudi, which makes up the most elevated part of the building, hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions dedicated to the city's favourite designer. Find La Pedrera on Passeig de Gracia for €9.50 entry.

Casa Batllo

Also on the Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona is Gaudi's other great work, the skull and bone-lined Casa Batllo. The skulls are curvaceous balconies while the bones are supporting pillars. The building is one of the most striking in the city and was designed for wealthy aristocrat Josep Batllo. He lived on two floors of the structure while the others were rented. The colour of the building is coral and Gaudi paid immense attention to detail for those that look closely - watch the window frames!

Park Guell

Sit where Gaudi once did by visiting his former residence. The building has now been turned into a museum containing some of the furniture designed by the architect. He is also responsible for the famous tiled lizard/dragon in the park grounds.

Eusebi Guell commissioned the park to be designed for the city's aristocracy so take refreshments for sunset (you'll need some after the 200-metre walk to the park up hill). Make sure you leave at least half a day to properly explore the park. You will be able to see your way back to one of the best hotels in Barcelona from here.

Gaudi helicopter tour

For a bird's-eye view of Barcelona buildings designed by Gaudi, there's a chopper flight. The ten-minute tour will take you by the spires of the Sagrada Familia and over the tiled artwork that breaks up the green space of the Park Guell as well as past the port and Agbar Tower. Up to five people can join the flight, which costs €80.

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