The Catalan capital of Barcelona is famous for many things, one of them being its stunning architecture. Many visitors to the city will have heard of Antonin Gaudi, who was responsible for many of the city’s most famous buildings, but there is more under the hood to discover, read on to find out more.

With 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the architecture Barcelona has to offer. And to compile any kind of list, it would be impossible not to include the works of Antonin Gaudi, whose works leave such a remarkable impression on everyone who bears witness to the genius’ works.

Take for instance Casa Mila, located on Passeig de Gracia. This building was nicknamed "La Pedrera" or the stone quarry by locals at the time of its construction due to the huge amounts of sand stone Gaudi employed in the façade. However, the building has so much more to offer, with no straight lines or right angles, it mocks architectural standards. The façade is compared to the waves of the sea, and it is a must for any visit.

Just a few blocks down is the house of yawns, the house of bones, or - giving it it’s proper name – Casa Battlò. This building is likened to a Monet painting of water lilies and has large open, yawning windows with stone frames like bones. The rooftop pays homage to Saint George, patron of Catalonia, with a scaly dragon’s back speared by a chimney sword.

Staying with Gaudi is the downtown residence of the Güell family, Palau Güell located on Nou de la Rambla. Here, Gaudi’s father’s influence is more than apparent as iron is used to great effect in many places on the façade – his father was an ironmonger. Currently undergoing heavy restoration work, visitors can still pass by the front and try and spy the 23 chimneys on the rooftop.

The temple of the Holy Family, or the Sagrada Familia is the most visited attraction in the city and it’s not even finished. This huge edifice is a cathedral dedicated to Jesus and his disciples, with the amazing Nativity façade likened to a melting candle and the opposite crucifixion façade completed by architects after Gaudi’s death and paying homage to the chimney tops of La Pedrera.

The last of Gaudi’s works to be included in the list is not the proud owner of UNESCO status just yet, but has recently opened to the public and lies in Park Güell. The Porter’s house is at the entrance to the park, and despite being much smaller than those which precede, has just as much charm and resembles a gingerbread house from Hansel and Gretel.

Perhaps the most beautiful Hospital in Europe is the Hospital Sant Pau, just a short walk away from the Sagrada Familia, and designed by Domenech I Muntaner. This red brick building looms over its neighbours in leafy Eixample and combines both traditional and mondernista elements. The same architect designed the Catalan Music Palace (Palau de la Musica Catalana) which is in full use as a concert hall and music venue. Visitors can marvel at the intricacies in the façade as well as guided tours inside to view the magnificent stained glass cupola.

For a modern twist, look no further than two of the main utility company headquarters. The new Gas Natural headquarters bordering the fisherman’s village of Barceloneta and the Olympic Village is a mirrored angular impossible building which sprouts out of the ground and towers over the coastline highway. And the Torre Agbar is home for the electricity board and is a giant missile/cucumber/phallus with millions of LEDs on its façade which can light up and "dance" to change the appearance. It even has the seal of approval of the real Spiderman – Alain Robert – who scaled the building in 2007.

And last, but by no means least, is the oldest building in Barcelona – Sant Pau del Camp, located in the old town neighbourhood of Raval. This church is the complete opposite of what you might imagine, exactly the same on the inside as the outside – stone. No icons, no gold, bare lighting and no heating. The cloister has that smell you can only associate with extremely old buildings and it is so old in fact, that historians struggle to date the church. A real hidden gem, which doesn’t always make people’s to-do list but definitely should.