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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.