Casa Milà Review – Casa Milà (also known as “La Pedrera”) is another masterpiece by the genius architect Antoni Gaudí. Located on Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona, it is a must-visit landmark for first-time travellers to the city. This article provides an overview of the historical background, highlights, best visiting times, ticket information, and directions to help you easily plan your trip to Barcelona.

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Contents

1. Why Should You Visit Casa Milà? (History and Features)
2. How to Get to Casa Milà? (With Maps Link)
3. Casa Milà Opening Hours and Tickets
4. Best Time to Visit Casa Milà
5. Highlights of Casa Milà (Multiple Images)
6. Frequently Asked Questions about Casa Milà
7. Other Attractions Near Casa Milà

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Why Should You Visit Casa Milà? (History and Features)

Casa Milà (La Pedrera), a masterpiece by Antoni Gaudí on Passeig de Gràcia, is a Barcelona icon showcasing unique modernist design and artistic brilliance.

Rating：🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎｜Highly recommend the rooftop, especially in December. At dusk, enjoy sunset views and the festive lights of Passeig de Gràcia.

Historic Background

Casa Milà (La Pedrera), built between 1906 and 1912, was commissioned by wealthy businessman Pere Milà, inspired by Gaudí’s Casa Batlló. It was created to mark his marriage to Roser Segimon. In 1984, UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site alongside other Gaudí works.

Initially, the ground floor housed shops, while the second floor, known as the “Principal Floor” (Piso Principal), served as the Milà family residence with high ceilings and luxurious design. Between these levels was an “entresuelo” mezzanine, and the third to sixth floors were rental apartments. Gaudí’s innovative structural design allowed the building’s weight to rest on columns, enabling flexible layouts for each floor. At the time, tenants included professionals and the upper middle class.

Construction Challenges and Controversies

The construction of Casa Milà was fraught with challenges. The Milà family often disagreed with Gaudí’s innovative design, finding some elements too avant-garde and beyond traditional norms. Gaudí’s continuous structural adjustments also significantly increased costs, exceeding municipal building regulations.

The design of the rooftop and attic, along with some exterior columns encroaching onto the street, became focal points of controversy. Ultimately, the city government waived certain regulatory restrictions for the building. However, the Milà family was still required to pay a fine of 100,000 Spanish Pesetas to legalise the construction. (Pesetas was Spain’s currency from 1868 to 2002. Based on a simple purchasing power calculation, 100,000 Pesetas in 1912 is equivalent to €480,809.68 in 2023.)

Additionally, the Milà family and Gaudí entered a legal dispute over design fees. Gaudí won the case, forcing the Milà family to mortgage Casa Milà to cover the payment. However, Gaudí donated the compensation to a monastery.

Gaudí’s Final Private Project

Casa Milà is one of Gaudí’s few non-religious private buildings and also his last private residential design in Barcelona. Upon its completion, Gaudí devoted all his energy to the construction of the Sagrada Família, viewing it as his life’s work, and focused solely on this magnificent religious structure from then on.

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How to Get to Casa Milà? (With Maps Link)

Casa Milà is located in the city centre of Barcelona, on Passeig de Gràcia, with easy access by metro, bus, or on foot. You can take the L3 or L5 metro lines and get off at Diagonal station, then walk for about 5 minutes to reach the site.

Google Maps Link

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Casa Milà Opening Hours and Tickets

Opening Hours

• Winter (4 November 2024 – 6 March 2025)：9:00–18:30, Night Visits 21:00–23:00
• Christmas Special Hours (26 December – 3 January)： 9:00–20:30 (1 January 11:00–20:30)
• Summer (7 March 2025 – 9 November 2025)：9:00–20:30, Night Visits 21:00–23:00

Tickets / Tours

• Official Adult Price：€28
• Go City Barcelona Pass: Free｜Pass Purchase Link
• Entry Ticket：Get Your Guide

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Best Time to Visit Casa Milà

To avoid the crowds, it’s recommended to visit Casa Milà in the morning or evening. The building also offers special night tours, providing a unique perspective to admire its beauty.

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Highlights of Casa Milà (Multiple Images)

1. Exterior Design

The façade of Casa Milà features smooth, flowing curves, completely abandoning straight lines. This innovative style challenged traditional architectural norms and fully showcased Gaudí’s artistic vision. The entire building’s exterior resembles a massive, intricate rock formation, evoking the earthy essence and dynamism of nature.

2. Rooftop

The most distinctive feature of Casa Milà is its roof, which is adorned with uniquely shaped chimneys and ventilation towers, resembling a modern art sculpture park. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of Barcelona from the roof, making it an ideal spot for capturing stunning photographs.

3. Interior

The interior design of Casa Milà is full of creativity, with curved walls and round windows that mimic shapes and structures found in nature, reflecting Gaudí’s deep love for the natural world. Stepping inside, visitors feel as though they are transported back in time, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the upper middle class a century ago, including the furniture, room layouts, and way of life, adding a historical charm to the experience.

4. Attic/Exhibitions

The attic is another highlight, featuring an elegant brick arch design. Here, visitors can explore models of Gaudí’s architectural works, ergonomically designed furniture, and related artifacts, offering a deeper understanding of the creative process and inspirations behind this architectural genius.

5. Atrium

The atrium of Casa Milà is renowned for its curved walls and vibrant colour decorations, which not only flood the building with natural light but also create a rich sense of space. Visitors can admire Gaudí’s multi-layered aesthetics here, observing the patterns and colour gradients on the walls, as if stepping into a work of art.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Casa Milà

1. How long should I spend at Casa Milà?

A visit to Casa Milà typically takes around 1 to 1.5 hours. If you join a guided tour or attend the evening activities, the duration may be slightly longer.

2. Can I bring a backpack into Casa Milà?

Casa Milà allows small backpacks inside, but it is recommended to carry light items for a more comfortable visit.

3. Is Casa Milà suitable for children, pregnant women, or the elderly?

Due to the numerous stairs and different levels in Casa Milà, particularly the eight floors to descend from the rooftop back to the ground, it may pose some challenges for visitors with mobility issues. However, there is a lift available inside Casa Milà that can be used by those in need.

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Other Attractions Near Casa Milà

Casa Batlló

Another masterpiece by Gaudí, located just a short distance away on Passeig de Gràcia.

Detailed Review with Photos and Descriptions：Casa Batlló Review: History, Highlights, Tickets & Directions

La Sagrada Família

Gaudí’s unfinished masterpiece, it is one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks.

Detailed Review with Photos and Descriptions：La Sagrada Família Review: History, Highlights, Tickets & Directions

Passeig de Gràcia

This street is one of Barcelona’s most famous shopping and sightseeing areas, lined with numerous Modernist buildings.

These attractions, along with Casa Milà, form the architectural essence of Barcelona and are a must-visit for every traveller.

These attractions can easily be combined for a half-day or full-day itinerary.

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