Do you want to escape the long lines at Barcelona’s attractions while still appreciating all of the architectural jewels that Catalonia has to offer? Well, I have the perfect solution for you. Waiting in line is never fun, especially on a hot summer day. Barcelona has a tremendous offering for the millions of tourists that generally tend not to venture any further than la Dreta de l’Eixample to Plaza España every year. If they’re feeling really adventurous, perhaps they’ll make it to Gràcia or Poblenou with most of the city’s attractions being concentrated in Ciutat Vella and Eixample.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with staying within the confines of the city center, especially when you’re short on time and want to visit the most emblematic monuments in Barcelona. However, you don’t have to spend a pastón to take in the sights. In fact, some of the most expensive places to visit are not the most worthwhile (I’m looking at you Poble Espanyol).
What you can expect to see there
If you don’t mind catching a train for one day out of your stay that likely last one or two weeks tops, I recommend paying a vist to Colonia Güell, a workers’ colony located just outside the city limits in Santa Coloma de Cervelló. You might ask, why would I want to spend my vacation in a workers´colony? Well, they just don’t make things like they used to (Do they still make them?). Its construction was set in motion by businessman Eusebio Güell who wanted to avoid emerging social conflicts in Barcelona at that time while simultaneously improving the quality-of-life of the factory workers that would work there, providing all the amenities of a town.
During your day trip, you’ll be able to admire the buildings that were designed by architects in the style of Modernisme (think Catalan art nouveau — oversimplification, I know) who employed techniques and materials that were characteristic of the movement such as the use of wrought iron and ceramic mosaics.
Perhaps the best part is that it is totally free to visit unless you plan on visting the Crypt of Gaudí which was a virtual mock-up of La Sagrada Familia and laid the groundwork for Antoni Gaudí‘s masterpiece.
How to get to Colonia Güell
Colonia Güell is a short 20-minute subway ride away taking the Ferrocarriles de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) from Plaza España on lines S33, S8, and S4 to Colonia Güell Station. If you arrive in train, you have to cross the motorway and follow the blue footprints on the ground that will lead you to the visitor’s center.
Do you know of any other off-the-beaten path attractions that are within striking distance of Barcelona?
Yankee in BCN 