Contents

All You Need to Know About Park Guell in Barcelona

Set on Carmel Hill, Park Guell is an architectural masterpiece in Barcelona. Designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a reflection of his unique style and love for nature. With colorful mosaic-covered buildings...

Founded On

1926

Founded By

Antoni Gaudí

Quick information

RECOMMENDED DURATION

2 hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

12000000

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

3

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD

30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE

0-30 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)

UNESCO YEAR

1984

Plan your visit

Fun facts

Park Guell was originally envisioned as a housing development project, but it failed to attract buyers and was eventually transformed into a park.

The colorful mosaics on Park Guell's iconic Dragon Stairway were crafted using the trencadís technique, which involves breaking up tiles and reassembling them to create intricate patterns.

Gaudí House Museum, designed by Francesc Berenguer, showcases Antoni Gaudí's furniture and personal belongings, providing insight into the life and work of the renowned architect.

More interesting facts



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Why is Park Guell famous?

Park Guell 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.

There are a number of distinct spaces and structures designed by Antoni Gaudi that can be found inside the park. The colorful mosaic Dragon that will greet you as soon as you enter the park, Sala Hipòstila (the Hypostyle Room), Museu del Guarda (Guard Museum), Jardins d’Àustria (Gardens of Austria), Plaça de la Natura (Nature Square or terrace), Pòrtic 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 Guell

Getting to Park Guell in Barcelona
Park Guell Barcelona Opening Hours

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 - Park Guell - Barcelona
Forest Zone - Park Guell - Barcelona

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.

park guell barcelona

Pathways And Viaducts

Gaudi 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.

porters lodge

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.

barcelona park guell

Three Cross Hill

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

gaudi house museum

Gaudi House Museum

One of the original homes in the park, Gaudi House Museum is now a collection of the fabled architect's life and work. To enter the museum, you'll need to buy a separate ticket from the Park Guell website since the regular tour does not cover the museum.

dragon stairway parc guell

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.

barcelona park guell

The Hypostyle Room

The Dragon Stairway culminates into 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 park guell

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 park guell barcelona

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 Gaudí House museum.

Who Designed Park Guell?

Antoni Gaudi Park Guell Barcelona

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 Guell

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 Gaudi that blend seamlessly with the nature that surrounds it.

You will find evidence of Gaudi's signature Modernisme style throughout the park. Visitors will also get to see the use of Trencadís throughout the park.  Gaudi 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 Trencadís 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 Turó de les Tres Creus," however it is popularly called Calvary. From here, you can enjoy panoramic views of Barcelona.

History of Park Guell In A Nutshell

Park Guell was originally supposed to be a housing complex for the aristocratic families of Barcelona. Count Eusebi Güell, 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 Gaudi. In 1906, Gaudi 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 Guell open to the public. In 1963, the house that Gaudi used to live in was converted into the Gaudi 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".

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Park Guell Barcelona Heritage Site

Nature & Biodiversity at Park Guell

Park Guell has been designed in a way to protect and promote the nature and biodiversity of the area.

Due to its proximity to Collserola hills and other green areas, this park attracts a wide range of fauna. Reptiles such as the Moorish gecko, mammals like Pipistrelle, Brown rat and birds such as the Rock dove, Nightingale, European crested tit live here.

You will also find a wide variety of flora species such as olive trees, strawberry trees, Common hawthorn, mastic trees, and red valerian trees. You can walk along the Biodiversity Route to enjoy the rich biodiversity of Park Guell.

Frequently Asked Questions About Park Guell in Barcelona

What is Park Guell?

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

Why is Park Guell Barcelona famous?

Park Guell is Barcelona's landmark park. It is the second most-visited park in Barcelona after Parc de la Ciutadella, and resonates with Modernist elements like no other place. Park Guell is a must-visit in Barcelona thanks to its rich history and the mastermind behind its design, the eminent architect Antoni Gaudi.

Is it safe to visit Park Guell Barcelona?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to visit Park Guell Barcelona, as a number of health measures are in place to ensure safety of visitors.

How much are Park Guell Barcelona tickets?

Park Guell tickets start at €10 for adults, while guided tours start at €27.

What can I do at Barcelona Park Guell?

Park Guell Barcelona has a number of highlights such as The Dragon Stairway, The Serpentine Bench, Austria Gardens, El Drac, and Laundry Room Portico, among others.

Who designed Park Guell?

Park Guell was designed by legendary architect Antoni Gaudi, who is also the mastermind behind Casa Batllo, Casa Mila, and Casa Vicens.

When was Park Guell built?

Park Guell was planned and designed by Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926), between 1900 and 1914. His original designs were altered due to financial reasons, and the park opened in 1926, ten years after his death.

Where is Park Guell located?

Park Guell is located between the neighborhoods of El Coll, La Vallcarca, El Carmel and La Floresta in Barcelona.

How can I get to Park Guell?

You can get to Park Guell in Barcelona via metro, bus, or car.

What are Park Guell Barcelona timings?

Park Guell is currently open from 9 AM to 7:30 PM.

How many entrances does Park Guell Barcelona have?

Park Guell has three entrances — the main entrance, Carretera del Carmel, and Av. del Santuari de St. Josep de la Muntanya.

Why is there a restricted zone in Park Guell?

From October 2013, Barcelona City Council began regulating entry to the main core of the park with the objective of preserving the iconic space and keeping it in the best possible state of conservation. For a number of year prior, unregulated entry had begun to take its toll on the surroundings, the flora of the park and contributed to degradation of Gaudi's sculpture. In order to avoid worsening of the situation, visitor tickets are being regulated.