My Escapes Spain Barcelona Exploring Gaudí's Sprawling Surreal Barcelona Walking Down From Lesseps to Gràcia

Walking Down From Lesseps to Gràcia

My hotel was located in the Lesseps northern area.
I was regularly taking the subway from the nearby Lesseps station. But on my first day I didn't take the subway. Instead, I went out of a long stroll, all the way down to the port!

This could be an interesting walking trip across Barcelona, if you are staying in that northern area.

Let's see more what I encountered during my walk!

There are 2 roads that you can head down on: Avidunda del Príncep d'Astúries (only buses circulate on this one) and Carrer Gran de Gràcia.

Even the most "ordinary" old houses and houseblocks look soooo romantic... But there's also a lot of street art in the area, but not like the destructive filthy graffitis, but rather nicely decorated walls and close shop window covers.

The quarter called Gràcia is a lot larger than the Passeig de Gràcia area (where the metro station and the main road with the same name are located). Shops and living quarters are found this part of Barcelona. Quite a nice place to live, I say!

On my first full day, I strolled down on the Carrer Gran de Gràcia.

But the next time I actually walked up on the Avigunda del Príncep d'Astúries. The two almost run in parallel, just that the first one is the only road that will directly take you down to Passeig de Gràcia and therefore to the famous Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and the Casa Batlló top attractions.

Along the road you can observe the typical Catalonian house blocks, but there are several special attractions along the road: the Casa Ramos (by architect Jaume Torres I Grau - located exactly near the Lesseps metro station exit) and 3 of Antoni Gaudí's buildings (the Casa Vicens, Casa Milà , Casa Batlló), as well as the Casa Fuster, the latter being a masterpiece of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.

Further down southeast (towards the center) from the Lesseps metro station, one can observe the towers of Gaudí's Casa Vicens.

It was in fact one of my favorite buildings in Barcelona! And it was so close to the Erasmus Residence where I was staying, that could walk out several times just to contemplate it!

Read more and see further photos about the Casa Vicens and other hidden attraction in this article.

The order was like this: first the Casa Ramos, then Casa Vicens and then further down, the Casa Fuster, then I came across the previously mentioned Casa Milà and the Casa Batlló. I visited both Gaudí masterpieces the next day. The experience left my jaw open and consumed most of my day!

The modernist Casa Fuster was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner between 1908 and 1910.

Today it's a luxury hotel since 2004... God, I'd love to spend a few nights there!

I checked their official website and a for a night in june (single traveler), they charged around 300-350 EUR.

That's about 8-10 times as much as a quality Barcelona budget hotel accommodation.

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