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Take a Look at What’s Inside Park Guell in Barcelona

Park Guell in Barcelona is an enduring symbol of Gaudi's artistic prosperity. It is an extensive park system with incredible and diverse architectural components modeled by the well-known Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudi.

A creation straight out of the imagination of an artistic genius, Park Guell never fails to amaze its visitors. In 1969, the artistic essence and architectural pattern of Park Guell were identified by the Spanish state and was declared a monument of cultural interest. In 1984, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed Park Guell as a World Heritage Site because of its significance. Read on to find out what you can find inside this cultural heritage park.

What's inside Park Guell?

The park is divided into two zones:

  • Monumental Zone: The monumental zone, spread over 12 hectares is the core attraction of Park Guell. It is home to a series of spectacular buildings and some of the most iconic works of Gaudi. This area accounts for only about 5% of the total Park Guell area and was declared a world heritage site in 1984. Visitors need a ticket to enter this zone and in order to control the crowds, only a maximum of 1400 people are allowed inside every half an hour.
  • Woodland Zone: The adjacent woodland zone is spread over another 8 hectares, and accounts for about 90% of the park's area. The woodland zone is open for everyone to visit and doesn’t require a ticket. The lush gardens boast of some masterful landscaping and walking trails. You will be able to spot some exotic flora such as the common hawthorn and oaks, and some fauna as well.

How to get inside Park Guell?

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

Local citizens can visit Park Guell for free any time between 7 AM to 10 PM. You simply have to identify yourself as a local citizen at the entrance.

Top things to to see inside Park Guell

All the major attractions within the Park Guell are located within the monumental area, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

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 Gaudi'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 which 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 planned by Antoni Gaudi.

Park Guell Inside

The Hypostyle Room

The stairway on the entrance leads to the Hypostyle room which is made of 86 streaked columns, prompted 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 Guell 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 was later used as a plant nursery when Park Guell 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 Gaudi 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 Guell, has been made using the trencadis technique that Gaudi 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 Gaudi's architectural experimentation with organic shapes and forms that strive to mimic and dissolve itself beautifully into its 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. Gaudi 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 equipments in these relaxation area includes tables, benches, urban furniture, and games for kids and teenagers. While you are exploring Park Guell, take a breather, relax and have some fun in one of these spaces.

Design and architecture of Park Guell

Park Guell Inside



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Frequently asked questions about what’s inside Park Guell

What's inside Park Guell?

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 Guell?

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

How big is Park Guell?

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

Can you take pictures inside Park Guell?

Yes, you can take pictures inside Park Guell.

Is it free to view inside the Park Guell?

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

Is Park Guell worth it?

Yes, a visit to Park Guell 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 Guell?

Antoni Gaudi designed Park Guell.

Where is Park Guell located?

Park Guell is located in Barcelona, Spain.

When was Park Guell built?

Park Guell was built in 1926.