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Why is Park Güell famous?

​Park Güell is one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona. The park, which covers 19 hectares and houses quirky buildings as well as a nature reserve and biodiversity, is located in the Gracia district of Barcelona.

Confused about what to see in Park Güell? Here's a simple guide, then. There are several distinct spaces and structures designed by Antoni Gaudí that can be found inside the park. The colorful mosaic Dragon that will greet you as soon as you enter the park, Sala Hipostila (the Hypostyle Room), Museu del Guarda (Guard Museum), Jardins d’Austria (Gardens of Austria), Plaça de la Natura (Nature Square or terrace), Portic de la Bugadera (Wash House Portico) and interesting roads, viaducts, and paths and the large terraces that offer wonderful views over the city are all creations born straight out of Gaudi's genius.

​Plan your visit to Park Güell

Plan your visit to Park Guell

Where is Park Guell located?

Address: Gràcia, 08024, Barcelona, Spain

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Park Güell is located between the neighborhoods of El Coll, La Salut, Vallcarca i els Penitents, El Carmel, and Can Baro, in the districts of Gracia and Horta-Guinardo. It is spread across the two hills of Les Menes and El Carmel.

The surrounding areas are urban neighborhoods that are highly populated. The green park, therefore, offers a respite from the concrete jungle, easing urban pressure and improving the area's environmental quality.

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Park Güell opening hours

Park Güell is open daily. The opening hours are 9:30am to 7:30pm.
The closing time may vary based on the time of year. Please check the latest schedules as the park may close sooner or remain open for a longer duration, depending on when you plan to visit.

Opening hours for residents

Citizens are free to come to the Park Güell, at no cost, at any time between 7am to 9:30pm and 8pm to 10pm. The park is reserved exclusively for residents of neighboring areas during these hours, and tourist visits are not allowed.

View complete visiting schedule

Park Guell entrances

Park Guell has three entrances:

  • Main Entrance: This is located right next to the Porter's Lodge Pavilion.
  • Carretera del Carmel: This is located on the west of the park.
  • Av. del Santuari de St. Josep de la Muntanya: This is on the eastern side and can be accessed via mechanical stairs.

​How to choose the right entrance to Park Guell?

Zones of Park Guell

The park is divided into two zones:

Monumental Zone

The monumental zone spread over 12 hectares is the core attraction of the landmark. It includes a series of tremendous buildings.

Learn more about the Monumental Zone

Forest Zone

The adjacent woodland zone is spread over another 8 hectares. The woodland zone is open for everyone to visit and doesn’t require a ticket.

Things to see at Park Guell Barcelona

Park Guell is a magic wonderland created by Antoni Gaudi. Here are some of the things to look out for inside Park Guell.

Pathways And Viaducts

Gaudí designed Park Güell with the idea of merging it with the natural surroundings and hilly topography. To achieve this, he laid down an intricate network of paths, bridges, and viaducts throughout the property. The three viaducts that glide up the mountain in succession are called Pont de Baix, the Pont del Mig, and the Pont de Dalt.

Porter's Lodge Pavilion

The main entrance to Park Güell has an impressive facade and presents a stunning view of the work of art inside. The ceramic-tiled stone wall and palm leaf-shaped iron gates are just a trailer of the nature-inspired architectural marvels one would witness ahead.

Three Cross Hill

The Three Cross Hill is the highest viewpoint in Park Güell and offers beautiful views of the city of Barcelona. Getting to the top will require some effort, as there is a steep stairway to climb, but the breathtaking views at the top of the hill make the journey well worth the effort.

Gaudi House Museum

One of the original homes in the park, Gaudí House Museum, is now a collection of the fabled architect's life and work. To enter the museum, you'll need to buy a ticket, since the free entry does not cover the museum.

Gaudí House Museum tickets

The Dragon Stairway

An artistic twin flight of steps rises up from the entrance to the Hypostyle Room. Divided into three sections, the stairway has a fountain running along its edge and each landing on the way up is marked by a distinct element.

The Hypostyle Room

Gaudí Park Barcelona's Dragon Stairway culminates in an enormous space called the Hypostyle room. The entire space is supported by 86 striped columns, with the outermost ones sloping in an undulating form contrary to the rules of classical composition.

Greek Theatre

At the heart of Park Güell lies the huge open-air space originally called the Greek Theatre and now called Plaça de la Natura (Nature Square). This vast platform was planned to stage large open-air shows.

Austria Gardens

With trees donated from Austria, this part of the park has a very distinguished look. The Austria gardens have a beautiful view and host two prominent houses, one of which was acquired by Gaudi’s family which has now been converted into Gaudi House museum.

Who designed Park Guell?

​Antoni Gaudi I cornet, one of the most significant visual artists of the 19th and 20th centuries from Spain, developed Park Guell. He is known as a pioneer of the artistic technique Art Nouveau which is also his signature art style.

Renowned for his intricate craftwork in buildings all across Spain, Gaudí's works have a highly individualized, sui generis style. Most of these buildings are located in Barcelona, including his glorious masterpiece, the church of the Sagrada Família.

During his studies, Gaudí constructed several projects, among which the following stand out: a cemetery gate (1875), a Spanish pavilion for the Philadelphia World Fair of 1876, a quay-side building (1876), and a university assembly hall (1877).

Design & architecture of Park Güell

The natural beauty of Park Güell is planned in a way to provide the serenity and quiet that a park may offer. The green space is interspersed with creations by Gaudí that blend seamlessly with the nature that surrounds it.

You will find evidence of Gaudí's signature Modernisme style throughout the park. Visitors will also get to see the use of Trencadis throughout the park. Gaudí firmly believed that there were no straight lines or sharp corners in nature, and so, the entire park features curved lines and fluid designs.

Guests will find various animals throughout the park, designed in Trencadis mosaic. The most famous of these creations is the El Drac, located at the entrance to the park. Park Guell also includes motifs from Catalan nationalism, religious mysticism, and ancient poetry. From its highest point, the park features a stone hill with numerous steps leading to a platform where three large crosses are mounted. The official name of this is "El Turo de les Tres Creus," however, it is popularly called Calvary. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona.

​More about design & architecture of Park Güell

History of Park Güell in a nutshell

Park Guell was originally supposed to be a housing complex for the aristocratic families of Barcelona. Count Eusebi Guell, after whom the park has been named, commissioned the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí to design it. Inspired by the English garden city movement, the plan was to take advantage of the fresh air and beautiful views. Ultimately, only two houses were constructed, neither by Gaudí. In 1906, Gaudí moved into one of the houses with his family.

However, due to various reasons, the project didn't work out, and the estate was converted into a private garden. In 1926, Park Güell was opened to the public. In 1963, the house that Gaudí used to live in was converted into the Gaudí House Museum (Casa Museu Gaudí). In 1969, it was declared a historical-artistic monument of national interest. In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site under "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

​History of Park Güell

UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1984, UNESCO declared Park Guell as a World Heritage Site as part of “The Works of Antoni Gaudi”, which features seven buildings by the architect Antoni Gaudí located in Barcelona and its surrounding areas.

The other six creations of Gaudi included in the World Heritage List includes the Palau Guell, the Casa Mila-La Pedrera, the Casa Vicens, the Nativity Façade and the Crypt of the Sagrada Familia, the Casa Batllo, and the Crypt of the Colonia Guell.

More about Park Güell's UNESCO status

Nature & biodiversity at Park Guell

Park Güell isn’t just a feast for the eyes—it’s a full-on nature sanctuary in disguise! Tucked near the lush Collserola hills, this whimsical wonderland is also a hotspot for local wildlife. Keep an eye out for nimble Moorish geckos sunbathing on stone walls, bats like the Pipistrelle flitting about at dusk, and birds from Rock doves to the melodic Nightingale and the punk-haired European crested tit (yes, that’s a real bird).

And the greenery? It's a Mediterranean dream. Olive trees, strawberry trees, common hawthorn, mastic trees, and even red valerian trees add pops of color and texture to the landscape. Want the full eco-experience? Stroll along the Biodiversity Route and see how Gaudí’s magical park lives and breathes in harmony with nature.

​Nature & biodiversity at Park Güell

Frequently asked questions about Park Güell in Barcelona

Park Güell is an urban park in Barcelona, Spain that was designed by Antoni Gaudi.

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