Eat, drink and sleep Gaudi in Barcelona

It is impossible to visit Barcelona and not be drawn in by one of the Spanish city's best marketed tourist attractions - the buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi. His home La Torre Rosa and self-designed furniture is available for public viewing in a park he was commissioned to turn into a luxury housing estate. The Sagrada Familia, which was the church he was working on until his death, reveals some of Gaudi's artefacts and has hair-raising opportunities to climb the towers for those brave enough. The Casa Calvert restaurant even offers visitors the chance to dine Gaudi-style in one of his works.

Gaudi dining

The Casa Calvert claims to blend the art of cuisine with the artwork of Antoni Gaudi, having been converted from a building he designed for a textile manufacturer. The offices have since been made into dining rooms for guests at this restaurant.

Menus change with the seasons and have been crafted by chef Miquel Alija, who has been working at the restaurant since it opened in 1994. Dishes have ranged from duck liver with sour oranges to partridge and chestnuts. Sommelier Paquita Castro will help diners choose what is best with their meals.

There are plenty of recommended hotels near Casa Calvert to choose from.

Worship Gaudi

A trip to Barcelona would not be complete without a trip to see one of Gaudi's most famous works La Sagrada Familia. Visit Eurobookings’ list of hotels in Barcelona and once you are bedded in, head out to this church, which is not only a striking work of art, but a museum too. From €8 (£6.99) visitors are invited to find out how this building evolved and check out Gaudi's plans, projects and marquettes. Tickets become more expensive for tourists who would like to go up the towers.

Gaudi spent most of his professional life building this church, receiving the commission in 1883. He eventually moved to live near the structure that he spent his final years designing through models and photographs.

Gaudi living

Located on Provenca, the Casa Mila is not far from the city hotels in Barcelona. The structure shows Gaudi's trademark curved balconies and has since been dedicated to the architect with a museum and gallery space inside and on the roof. Entry is lower than La Sagrada Familia.

It includes the Espai Gaudi, which features an illustrative exhibition about the architect's work, a rooftop with surreal chimney pots designed by the artist and a recreated period apartment. Getting into the first floor of this unique building, which hosts temporary exhibitions, is free. It features in the Unesco World Heritage list.

It was designed for a couple known for their flamboyant lifestyle and is set apart from Casa Battllo on the Passeig de Gracia because of its conventionality juxtaposed with Battllo’s downright eeriness.

Gaudi's biggest fan

Gaudi designed several buildings for Eusebi Guell, including a mansion called Palau Guell, which was one of the only structures he completed. There is no access to the building, but looking at its facade can be incorporated as part of a tour. Parc Guell was meant to be a housing estate designed by Gaudi for several dwellings, but did not quite turn out that way. Gaudi's house La Torre Rosa lies here with furniture he designed himself and a bench in the shape of a serpent and dragon guarding the entrance.

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