Barcelona

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Before heading out on any bike tour, we like to give ourselves a little time to settle in—recover from jet lag, explore the local sights, soak in the culture, and enjoy some good food. It’s also a chance to reassemble the bikes and swing by a local shop for any last-minute gear. And what a great place to start a cycling adventure. Barcelona is a beautiful city, rich in art, history, and culture at every turn. It’s also wonderfully walkable and bike-friendly, making it easy to explore at our own pace. No visit to Barcelona would be complete without encountering the genius of Antoni Gaudí. His distinctive style is everywhere—from the flowing curves of Casa Batlló to the awe-inspiring towers of the Sagrada Família. His architecture blends nature, structure, and imagination in a way that makes the city feel dreamlike. Palau Güell, tucked near the old city, gave us a glimpse of his early brilliance—full of thoughtful detail and dramatic beauty. The rest of the time? We simply enjoyed being in Barcelona.

Planned Route

Actual Route

140 Years in the Making - 2026 Completion Target

La Sagrada Familia will be completed soon. The winged Evangelists, John on the left and Luke on the right side of the center tower, have been placed, as well as the star of Bethlehem atop Mary’s tower to the right. Next, a big cross will be set atop the central tower, appropriately named the Jesus Tower.

Massive stone trunks support the cathedral

La Sagrada Familia, Antonio Gaudi’s crowning achievement. He says you can’t improve upon God’s handiwork, and his designs are heavily influence by nature. The columns like trees reaching to the sky while sun-drenched colors fill the limbs with foliage of light. Gaudí didn’t want flying buttresses, so he built string models—arches pulled down with weights—to test his designs. Then he inverted the models to create the graceful canopies overhead. It feels like walking through a forest of redwoods.

Palau Güell might just be our favorite of Gaudí’s masterpieces.

Every detail in this grand residence feels carefully considered. Though it’s large and stately, it still manages to feel welcoming—designed with real comfort in mind for the Güell family who once lived here.

Palau Güell - Family Life Focused on Music and Art

Climb another level, as shown here, and you’ll find where the orchestra played to accompany the organ’s haunting tones. Keep going, and sometimes singers would perform from above—like angels floating high above the room. Music and the arts were at the heart of the Güell family’s life.