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Beyond the Barcelona lizard: What to see in Park Güell that most tourists miss

Park Güell Barcelona is an enduring symbol of Gaudí's artistic brilliance. It’s a sprawling park filled with incredible and diverse architectural components crafted by the legendary Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí.

A creation that feels plucked straight from the mind of a genius, Park Güell never fails to wow its visitors. In 1969, the park’s artistic spirit and unique design were officially recognized when it was declared a Monument of Cultural Interest by the Spanish state. Then, in 1984, UNESCO elevated its status further by naming it a World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural importance.

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What to see in Park Güell

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The park is divided into two zones:

  • Monumental Zone: The Monumental Zone, spread over 12 hectares, is the core attraction of Park Güell. It showcases a dazzling collection of spectacular buildings and some of the most iconic works of Gaudí. Although it covers only about 5% of the entire park, it packs in the wow factor and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. To maintain its charm (and your personal space), entry is ticketed, and access is limited to 1,400 visitors every 30 minutes.
  • Forest Zone: Right next door, this zone sprawls across 8 hectares, making up around 90% of the park’s area. This part of the park is free to enter and open to all. Here, you'll find lush gardens, shaded trails, and masterful landscaping. Keep an eye out for exotic flora like common hawthorn and oak trees, and if you're lucky, a glimpse of the park’s resident fauna too!
Everything you need to know about Monumental Zone

How to get inside Park Güell?

If you are a tourist who wishes to visit Park Güell, you will have to get your hands on ​Park Güell entry tickets. While you can enter the forest area without tickets, you need a paid ticket to enter the monumental zone, which houses Gaudí's works.

Local citizens can visit Park Guell for free any time between 7am to 9:30am and from 8pm to 10pm. You simply have to identify yourself as a local citizen at the entrance.

Detailed guide about Park Güell entrances

Top things to to see inside Park Guell

Park Guell Inside

Greek Theatre or Nature Square

Nature square or Placa de la Natura is a large esplanade located right at the center of Park Guell. It is a huge open area surrounded by Antoni Gaudí's artistic carvings. It was earlier known as the Greek theatre, as the area was originally planned as a site for outdoor shows, which could be enjoyed from surrounding terraces as well. You can relish the fascinating panoramic views of the park from here. One part of this space is excavated in the rock and the other rests against the Hypostyle Hall. On the side of the stairway, there is an undulating bench coated with a tile-shard mosaic acting as a handrail.

Park Guell Inside

The Entrance and the Porter's Lodge Pavilions

The main entrance to Park Guell is located on the south side of the park, on Carrer d'Olot. The wall that surrounds the entrance is made of rustic stone with ceramic tiling and medallions. The sharp iron gates are designed in the form of palm leaves to give them a natural impression. On each side, two pavilions shape the potter's lodge, out of which the left one is utilized as the pathway to the porter's lodge. The one to the right was previously known as the porter's residence, but presently it is a part of the Barcelona History Museum. Both of these pavilions have gorgeous roofs designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Park Guell Inside

The Hypostyle Room

The stairway on the entrance leads to the Hypostyle room, which is made of 86 streaked columns, arranged in the Doric order. The outermost columns are sloped in an undulating pattern. The gallery of the hypostyle room is crowned by an architrave on which the bench is positioned. There is a channel that collects rainwater and sends it to an underground tank, which then overflows from the dragon's mouth. The ceiling of the room is formed of a small arch, made up of clay bricks garnished with original tile-shard mosaics by Joseph Jujol. Inside the room, sections where columns are absent create a space that looks like three naves, or a large temple.

Park Guell Inside

The Austria Gardens

Austria Gardens is called so because in 1977, Park Güell received a donation of trees from Austria. The garden has all kinds of plants, and it is maintained regularly. In comparison to the rest of the areas of the park, this area has a wholly distinct look. The garden offers delightful views where you can take beautiful pictures with your beloved, friends, or family. The gardens were later used as a plant nursery when Park Güell was converted into a public park. You can also see two houses from its center that were built in Eusebi Guell's time, one of which is none other than the Gaudí House Museum, one of the original homes built in the park.

Park Guell Inside

The Dragon Stairway

The dragon stairway encloses a dual flight of stairs guarded by two walls with merlons that form terraces. The staircase is divided into three sections. The first staircase retains capricious shapes like goblins, and as you move on to the next stairway, you can find the emblem of Catalonia. And the last staircase is surrounded by a ​dragon or salamander, covered with tile-shard mosaic. The dragon, like many beautiful structures within Park Güell, has been made using the *Güell*technique that Gaudí introduced into many of his works. This multicoloured lizard is one of the most photographed attractions in all of Barcelona.

Park Guell Inside

The Laundry Room Portico

The laundry room portico is situated on the eastern side of the Greek theatre square. This walkway leads you to what used to be the gardens of Casa Larrard, which Eusebi Guell adopted as his own house. The gallery of the room has the pattern of a great wave crowned with sloping columns, and a double terrace that acts as a supporter. At the end of the room, there is a spiral ramp that takes the tourists down to the house. This structure is one of the best examples of Gaudí's architectural experimentation with organic shapes and forms that strive to mimic and dissolve themselves beautifully into their natural surroundings.

Park Guell Inside

Roadways, Pathways and Viaducts

On the east side of the Carretera del Carmel exit, Point de Baix is located. It is the foremost viaduct of the network that supports the topography and connects several parts of the park. Gaudí had three viaducts planned in his mind with a width of five meters. The three viaducts are named Pont de Baix, the Pont del Mig, and the Pont de Dalt. They are made up of unhewn stones arranged on a structure of slanting columns. The hand trails on the upper parts are crowned by plots with vegetation. The other road is known as the transversal road, which is ten meters wide. It connects the Catheters del Carmel with the Sant Josep de la Muntanya exit.

Park Guell Inside

Relaxation areas

Park Guell is spread across 12 hectares, and all sections of the park have unique and fantastical structures and designs. This means that visitors can take hours to complete a whole tour of the park, which is why it has several relaxation areas as well as a variety of recreational facilities, such as games and outdoor activities. These relaxation areas have been developed after keeping every kind of age group in mind, from newborns to seniors. The pieces of equipment in these relaxation areas include tables, benches, urban furniture, and games for kids and teenagers. While you are exploring Park Güell, take a breather, relax, and have some fun in one of these spaces.

Design and architecture of Park Guell

Park Guell Inside

Park Güell was brought to life by Antoni Gaudí at the request of Count Eusebi Güell, who dreamed of creating a modern, upscale residential area for Barcelona’s elite. Today, it stands as one of the largest architectural masterpieces in southern Europe.

Gaudí used natural bricks, carved stone columns, and carefully designed landscapes to give the park an organic, earthy charm. For the benches—yes, even the seating got the star treatment—he mixed mosaics, ceramic shards, ironwork, balustrades, and plenty of colorful tiling to make them both comfortable and eye-catching.

Gaudí had a way of blending nature with his bold, imaginative style, and Park Güell is his most stunning example. His playful experiments with architecture and the environment still resonate today, making the park a cultural icon of Catalonia.

Detailed Park Güell design and architecture

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Frequently asked questions about what to see in Park Güell

What's inside Park Güell?

There are numerous attractions in Park Guell such as the Serpentine Bench, El Drac', Austria Gardens and the Gaudí House Museum, Hypostyle Room and Laundry room portico.

Can you tour inside Park Güell?

Yes, you can tour inside Park Güell. To enter the monumental zone, which houses the attractions created by Gaudí, you need to purchase tickets. You can book Park Güell tickets​ here.

How big is Park Güell?

Park Güell is spread across 12 hectares, which comprises the monumental and accompanying forest areas.

Can you take pictures inside Park Güell?

Yes, you can take pictures inside Park Guell.

Is it free to view inside the Park Güell?

You can visit the forest area of Park Güell for free. However, you need to purchase ​tickets to visit the Monumental Zone.

Is Park Güell worth it?

Yes, a visit to Park Güell is a must for those in Barcelona. Here, one can witness the beautiful architectural designs of Gaudi that seem to seamlessly blend in with nature.

Who designed Park Güell?

Antoni Gaudi designed Park Güell.

Where is Park Güell located?

Park Guell is located in Barcelona, Spain.

When was Park Güell built?

Park Guell was built in 1926.

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