Reus, Catalonia, Spain: Discover Gaudí's Birthplace

Learn more about Gaudí

Located in Plaza Mayor, the city’s main square, the Gaudí Centre is an interactive museum that allows visitors to understand more about Gaudí’s life and work. This three-story museum features an innovative audiovisual presentation that delves into the history, culture, and creativity of Gaudí and Catalan Modernism. The remaining exhibits give a closer look into how Gaudí designed his most iconic buildings: the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Park Güell, and La Pedrera. What’s more, visitors have the opportunity to touch some of the models to get a better understanding of the forms Gaudí used to create some of his most stunning work. There is also a replica of his workshop in which he lived and worked during the early construction of the Sagrada Familia. The visit ends with another audiovisual presentation of Gaudí’s link to Reus that appeals to both young and old.

The museum offers audio guides for all visitors (included in the ticket price), and personal guides for groups. If you’re an architecture lover or a Gaudí fan, the Gaudí Centre is your place for discovering more without fighting the crowds of Barcelona.

Take a lovely stroll

Once you’ve learned more about Gaudí and Catalan Modernism, it’s time to hit the streets to see more of this architectural style for yourself. Reus is home to a collection of exquisite architectural gems that can easily be viewed by walking the La Ruta Modernisme, a walking tour that showcases the best examples of local architecture from Gaudí’s lifetime. The architecture in Reus, however, is not by Gaudí but by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, another prominent Catalan architect and teacher of Gaudí. Just by following the route clearly marked on the Reus’ tourist map, you’ll see striking buildings including Casa Navàs, Estació Enològica, and Casa Laguna. It’s not possible to enter all of the buildings but Institut Pere Mata and Casa Navàs are open for visitors for a small fee.

Have a drink

After a charming day of art and culture, it’s time to relax a bit, and what’s a better way than with a glass of vermouth? Enjoying a bottle of vermouth with friends is a mandatory cultural experience in Catalonia. This drink is usually enjoyed in the afternoon, alone or with some tasty snacks such as olives, potato chips, or nuts. Reus was once one of the leading producers of vermouth in Europe and several local wineries still produce it.

If you’d like to buy a bottle for later, be sure to check out Yzaguirre, Iris, and Miró, three local producers. The best spot for partaking in this afternoon custom is the Museu del Vermut, a restaurant where you can sip on this iconic drink and also view an impressive collection of vermouth bottles, labels, and more, which were collected by vermouth connoisseur Joan Tàpias. In this one-of-a-kind museum, you can sit back and unwind in one of Catalonia’s many vibrant cities.