Sagrada Família and Sant Pau Hospital: A boulevard connecting Barcelona's diverse art scene

Barcelona, a city of artists, is a must-visit destination for travelers, especially for those eager to explore Antoni Gaudí's iconic works such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà. If your time in Barcelona is limited, you might be tempted to visit all these landmarks in a single day. While this approach allows you to immerse yourself in Gaudí's artistic world, it may also lead to aesthetic fatigue, making it harder to appreciate the fresh and profound emotions Gaudí poured into each creation.

After visiting Barcelona, I have a unique itinerary suggestion:

🗓️ Itinerary:
Sagrada Família
Gaudí Avenue pedestrian walkway (approximately 2 kilometers)
Sant Pau Hospital

💞 Why I recommend this:
Book the earliest entry ticket for the Sagrada Família (8:30 AM entry, 9:00 AM guided tour). While the afternoon sunlight might make the stained glass windows shine most brilliantly, avoiding the crowds is the best strategy. At 8:30 AM, before any guided tours begin, you can enjoy half an hour of serene beauty inside the basilica, basking in the morning light. This tranquil experience is truly priceless!

At 9:00 AM, the guided tours commence, offering a deeper understanding of the architectural design of the Sagrada Família. Although there are tours in various languages, they all use headphones, ensuring the interior remains relatively quiet. I strongly recommend opting for the official guided service and choosing the language that suits you best.

After exploring the Sagrada Família, the park opposite the basilica is the perfect spot for photos. Once you've captured your memories, take a leisurely stroll along the pedestrian-only Gaudí Avenue to Sant Pau Hospital. This boulevard directly connects these two architectural marvels—the church and the hospital—which were among the first landmarks planned during Barcelona's urban expansion to serve the growing population. Gaudí Avenue is lined with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops, making the two-kilometer walk a delightful experience. I highly recommend sitting outdoors at one of the cafés to enjoy a cup of Spanish coffee or a cocktail, soaking in the unique tourist atmosphere of Barcelona.

Barcelona is a pedestrian-friendly city. The wide pedestrian paths connecting the church and the hospital are now bustling with restaurants and shops. In this city, it's common to find pedestrian walkways wider than the roads. As the morning crowd gathers around the Sagrada Família and its viewing platforms, you can escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a leisurely walk.

After lunch, I suggest visiting Sant Pau Hospital.

Facing the Sagrada Família along a straight road is Barcelona's Sant Pau Hospital. Both the Sagrada Família and Sant Pau Hospital were part of the initial urban planning during Barcelona's expansion from the old city. These landmarks served as the backbone of the new district, surrounded by octagonal residential blocks that formed an orderly city layout.

Initially, I wondered why a hospital would become a tourist attraction. But upon seeing the building, I was struck by its beauty: why would a hospital be designed so magnificently?

The entrance to Sant Pau Hospital often has a fair number of tourists, but not many venture inside after taking photos. This former public hospital, which once served the grassroots population, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the entrance offers a glimpse of Catalan architectural beauty, it’s hard to imagine the vast campus within. Until 2009, Sant Pau Hospital was a fully operational medical facility with over 20 interconnected buildings linked by underground tunnels. After a new hospital was built nearby, the site underwent five to six years of renovation and reopened as a museum in 2014.

Unlike Gaudí's Sagrada Família, Sant Pau Hospital showcases a completely different style. With expansive outdoor spaces, fewer crowds, and exquisite Catalan art, it’s a photographer’s paradise. It’s astonishing to think that over a century ago, the renowned architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner envisioned such a stunning design for a hospital.

In just one day, you can experience two distinct artistic styles, enjoy Barcelona’s pedestrian-friendly streets, savor aromatic coffee, indulge in delicious Spanish paella, and pair it with a fine wine—my ideal itinerary for a leisurely city tour!