Park Güell, Barcelona

About Park Güell

It wasn't meant to be a park at all, but a garden city: the industrialist Eusebi Güell, Gaudí's patron and friend, planned an upmarket estate of villas and gardens on the bare Carmel hill. Work ran from 1900 to 1914, but hardly anyone bought a plot, and only two houses were built.

Gaudí did, however, complete the essentials: the gatehouses, the grand stairway, the market hall and a huge terrace over the city. The land opened as a public park in 1926, and in 1984 it was added to the UNESCO list among the Works of Antoni Gaudí. Today it's one of Barcelona's most recognisable sights.

Inside the Monumental Zone

At the main entrance on Carrer d'Olot stand two gatehouses with wavy roofs like cake icing. From them the grand stairway climbs past fountains to the famous salamander, a mosaic dragon that always draws a crowd of photographers. The broken-tile mosaic technique is called trencadís.

The stairs lead to the Hypostyle Room, a forest of 86 columns designed as the estate's covered market, with mosaic medallions on the ceiling. Above it is Nature Square, a vast terrace framed by the wavy serpent bench. Gaudí's assistant Josep Maria Jujol laid its mosaic, and the curves are shaped to be comfortable to sit on. From here you can see the rooftops, the Sagrada Família and the sea.

What to see in Park Güell

• The salamander — the mosaic dragon on the stairway.
• The serpent bench — the wavy mosaic bench on the terrace.
• The Hypostyle Room — 86 columns and a mosaic ceiling.
• The gatehouses — the gingerbread pavilions at the entrance.
• The Washerwoman's Portico — a slanting stone gallery.
• Turó de les Tres Creus — the best viewpoint, free.

The free area and viewpoints

Most of the park is pine woodland with winding paths, stone viaducts on slanting columns and viewing spots. Entry here is free, and plenty of visitors settle for this part, especially when Monumental Zone tickets have sold out.

The highest point is Turó de les Tres Creus, the hill of the three crosses, a small stone platform with a full panorama of Barcelona from the Sagrada Família to Montjuïc and the sea. It's a 10 to 15 minute walk up a trail. The free area also has the Gaudí House Museum, the pink villa where the architect lived for many years; it needs a separate ticket.

Tips for your visit

Take the first morning slot or the last hour before closing: at midday the Monumental Zone is crowded and there's a queue for salamander photos. The morning light is softer, and in the evening the terrace is lovely for sunset over the city. The hillside gets hot in summer, so bring water and a hat.

The park sits on a steep hill, so wear comfortable shoes. With a pushchair, take the bus to the upper gate and work your way downhill. There's little food inside beyond a kiosk, so eat before or after; the Gràcia district below is full of inexpensive cafés and tapas bars.

Places in Barcelona: compare and choose

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How to do it right

• Book a morning or evening slot.
• The free area is lovely too.
• Tres Creus has the best panorama.
• Comfortable shoes: it's a steep hill.

Questions