Park Güell (Ultimate Visitor’s Guide)

Park Güell is a maze of fantastical architectural works designed by Barcelona’s own Antoni Gaudí. The park brings Spanish history and art to life. Plus, there are endless amazing photo spots overlooking the Barcelona skyline here. With all this in mind, it’s clear why Park Güell is one of Barcelona’s top attractions. 

But visiting this iconic site is a little more complicated than your average trip to the park. There are over 42 acres to explore and the park is typically crowded with visitors. 

That’s where this guide comes into play. It contains absolutely everything you need to know before visiting Park Güell. We’ll cover visiting info, the park’s history, points of interest, how to get there, and the best tours. You’ll even find some insider tips at the end.

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History of Park Güell

💭 Designing & Building – In 1900, local entrepreneur Eusebi Güell commissioned the famed architect Antoni Gaudí to design a property that would be home for workers at his factory (source). Gaudí maintained the nature around the park and concocted irrigation systems to store water there. 

Construction on the park lasted for 14 years. In the end, only two houses of the planned sixty were completed because nobody could fulfill the requirements to buy the properties. That’s when they pivoted to turn the space into a big private garden. 

🏞️ Opening As a Public Park – After Eusebi Güell died in 1918, the City Council purchased the property and it was opened as a public park a few years later. 

More additions were added to the park over time, such as the Gaudí House Museum, which was opened in 1963 (source). Güell Park was distinguished as an artistic monument just a few years later.

📜 UNESCO Site & Tourist Attraction –  In 1984, Park Güell was officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since then, it has become one of the most popular places to visit in all of Spain. 

Why You Should Visit Park Güell

🏛️ Cultural Significance – Antoni Gaudí is an important figure in Spanish history, and Park Güell is one of the best places to see his work. There are so many pieces of his architecture to experience in this one location. That’s why visiting is one of the best things to do in Spain.  

📷 Amazing Photo Location – Park Güell is a prime location for photos with its unique structures and incredible views over Barcelona. Designated photo spots around the park make this the perfect place to commemorate your trip on film. 

🌳 Stunning Green Space – Park Güell is one of Barcelona’s best and biggest green areas. Even if you’ve visited before, it’s a lovely spot for a run, a little picnic, or to watch the sunset in Barcelona. 

Visiting Information

🎟️ Ticket Cost – A general admission entrance fee to Park Güell costs €18. Visitors can upgrade to a guided tour for a ticket price of €35. Residents of certain Barcelona neighborhoods can enter for free with a non-transferable admission card (source). 

If you are also planning to visit the Sagrada Familia, you can buy a Barcelona Pass. This will give you priority access to both attractions at a discounted cost.

🖥️ Reservations – Booking a ticket online in advance on the Park Güell website is strongly recommended. Visitors can book up to 3 months in advance for a specific date and time slot to guarantee access. Groups of 8+ must register and reserve tickets as an organized group. 

🕒 Opening Hours – Park Güell is open every day, but hours change slightly by season. In the winter, the park typically opens at 9:30 am and the last permitted entry is 5:30 pm. In the summer, it stays open until 7:30 pm. Check the Park Güell Website for the exact hours of the month you’re visiting.

♿ Accessibility – Visitors can download Park Güell’s Inclusive Visit app to find out which areas of the park are the most accessible. The app provides necessary information for guests with cognitive, sensory, and physical needs. 

The architectural route is recommended for visitors in wheelchairs or those with mobility difficulties. It provides access to Park Güell’s top points of interest and takes a little under an hour to complete (source). 

More details about accessibility at the park can be found on the Park Güell accessibility page. Contact the visitor attention service via [email protected] for special requirements.

💻 Website – Official Park Güell Website 

☎️ Phone Number – +34 934 091 831

📍 Location – Gràcia, 08024 Barcelona, Spain

Getting To Park Güell

🚕 Taxi – It takes approximately 10 minutes to reach Park Güell in the Gracia neighborhood from Barcelona’s city center. A taxi ride costs around €16-19. Taking a taxi is the easiest way to reach Park Güell, but it’s also the most expensive. 

🚇 Public transportation – Barcelona’s public transport system is the best way to get to Park Güell because it costs around €3 and the journey is quite simple. Depending on where you’re staying in Barcelona, it should only take one train or bus and around 25 minutes to reach the park. 

However, public transport is not a good choice for visitors with reduced mobility because you have to walk up a steep hill from the metro station. 

🚶‍♀️ Walking – Park Güell is located nearly three miles away from Barcelona’s city center. It takes around an hour and 15 minutes to walk the journey. Walking to Park Güell is doable, but not recommended for a short trip because it can eat away at your time to visit other attractions. 

Best Park Güell Tours

💵 Best Budget – The Park Guell Guided Tour with Skip the Line Ticket is the best budget-friendly tour option at around €29. It provides fast access to the park and includes an hour and 15 minutes long tour with a certified local guide who will teach you all about the sites. 

👨‍👩‍👧 Best Private – This full-day Complete Private Tour for €245 provides skip-the-line tickets and transportation to both Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia. It’s ideal for families or large groups and even comes with lunch at a tapas restaurant on Rambla Catalunya.

🇪🇸 Best Comprehensive – This Complete Gaudí Tour is one of the best guided tours to see all of Barcelona’s top attractions in a single day. It costs €145 to €190 and conveniently brings you on guided tours in English through Park Güell, La Sagrada Familia, and Casa Batlló. 

Points of Interest At Park Güell

The Serpentine Bench

The Serpentine Bench is the most well-known feature of Park Güell located on top of the Hypostyle Room. It is an enormous, colorful mosaic bench that winds around Nature Square with exceptional views over Barcelona. 

Today, the Serpentine Bench is one of the most photographed locations in Barcelona and one of the busiest parts of the park. 

The Viaducts

The stone viaducts are located right in the middle of the park. These viaducts look like the remains of a dragon’s lair or something equally as mystical. 

There are plenty of places to sit around this wavy structure and you’ll often find local musicians playing live music here during the warmer months. 

The “Gingerbread Houses”

Porter’s Lodge, better known as the “Gingerbread Houses,” are located right at the main entrance of the park on Carrer de Larrard. These structures will likely be the first thing you see upon arrival. 

The whimsical design was inspired by children’s fairytales, and the houses are known for their candy-like tile roofs. Visitors are allowed inside the left house with a general admission ticket, but the other one can only be enjoyed from the outside. 

The Gaudí House Museum

The bright pink Gaudí House Museum is where Antoni Gaudí himself lived for nearly 20 years until his death (source). Visitors must purchase an additional ticket that costs €24 to enter this space.

The Dragon Staircase

The Dragon Staircase is lined with intricate mosaic work leading up to the Hypostyle Room. It really is a grand main entrance into Park Güell. This is a very popular spot for taking photos, so expect there to be some pauses as you’re walking up the stairs. 

The ‘El Drac’ Lizard

The mosaic ‘El Drac’ Lizard on the top of the Dragon Staircase welcomes you to the park. It’s a smaller feature of Park Güell, but it still garners attention from visitors. After all, it is a cute addition with the water dripping from its mouth.

The Hypostyle Room

The Hypostyle Room is filled with 86 thick columns inspired by ancient temples and was originally designed to be a marketplace. On the ceiling of this structure are even more intricate tile designs that tell the story of the seasons and moon cycles (source).  

The Hypostyle Room is located at the top of the Dragon Staircase and below the Serpentine Bench in Nature Square.

Tips For Visiting Park Güell

Tip #1 – Take a Photo of the Park Map as You Enter

Park Güell is one of the biggest green spaces in Barcelona, so it’s easy to get turned around.

Take a quick snapshot of Park Güell’s map when you go through the entrance. Doing this can save you from getting lost in the park’s 17 hectares of space (source).

Tip #2 – Download the Park Güell App for a Free Audio Tour and More

The free audio tour on Park Güell’s app is perfect for budget travelers to learn about the attraction without shelling out the extra cash for an official tour. The app’s audio-guided tour is available in English, Catalan, Spanish and French. 

The app also provides ticket discount information, tips for visiting, and a map with all the key points of the park highlighted. 

Tip #3 – Enjoy the Free Live Music at Park Güell

The live music and vibrant energy around Park Güell are some of the best parts of visiting this beloved Barcelona attraction. Take a moment to soak in these little shows as you’re wandering the park. Just don’t forget to tip the musicians a Euro or two if you enjoyed listening!

Tip #4 – Book a Ticket In Advance for Early or Late Time Slots to Avoid Crowds (They Sell Out!)

The best time to visit Park Güell for a semi-quiet, peaceful atmosphere is at 9:30 am right when they open the doors. Alternatively, you can try and nab the last entry to catch the sunset. 

Either way, make sure you book your ticket in advance because these prime entry times often sell out.

Tip #5 – Park Güell is One of the Best Spots to Watch the Sunset in Barcelona

Park Güell is located between the elevated neighborhoods of El Coll and La Salut in Gracia near the mountains. This orientation provides one of the best vantage points to watch the sunset over Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea. 

Tip #6 – Don’t Miss the Beautiful Views of La Sagrada Familia

Look out at the Barcelona skyline while you’re wandering around Park Güell. You’ll see one of the best views of La Sagrada Familia in the distance!

By the way, check out my La Sagrada Familia guide if you want tips for visiting that attraction too.

Tip #7 – Prepare to Wait Your Turn for Photos at Iconic Spots

Park Güell gets 9 million visitors every year. It’s safe to say you can expect hefty crowds and some wait times for photos at famous spots.

I had to wait 5 to 10 minutes for the crowd to thin before I managed to snap a clear photo of the Hypostyle Room from the Dragon Staircase and the Gingerbread Houses. 

Tip #8 – Head to the Stone Walkway to Get Pictures Without Tourists

Most visitors rush to take photos at the Serpentine Bench, but it can be impossible to get a picture there without hundreds of other tourists in your shot. Instead, the stone walkway is the ideal place to get hassle-free photos of yourself. 

This area has way fewer people around and you still get those epic views of the Barcelona skyline. There are even nooks built into the stone walkway to ensure you get a private shot without tourists in the background.

Tip #9 – Take Time to Appreciate the Park’s Plant and Animal Life

While Gaudí’s architecture is the star of the show, the park’s vast biodiversity is equally as interesting.

You can find olive trees, magnolias, almond trees, and more throughout Park Güell. Visitors who really keep an eye out may even be able to spot 20+ species of birds and several variations of geckos (source). 

Tip #10 – Walk From La Sagrada Familia to Park Güell

Hit two of Gaudí’s top masterpieces by walking to La Sagrada Familia after visiting Park Güell. These two attractions are located about a mile away from each other. 

The journey takes around 30 minutes on foot and brings you into Eixample through Gracia, my favorite Barcelona neighborhood.

FAQs About Visiting Park Güell

Is Park Güell worth visiting?

Park Güell is definitely worth visiting. This iconic park is one of the best attractions in Spain. It features expansive views of Barcelona and beautiful works by famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.

Can you just walk into Park Güell?

You cannot just walk into the Park Güell. There is an entrance fee of €18, which can be reserved in advance on the Park Güell website. Although there used to be a free zone, this is no longer the case. Visitors must now pay to enter the park area (source). However, residents can get a free access card to the park.

Can you do Sagrada Familia and Park Guell in one day?

It is possible to visit La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell in one day. It takes around 30 minutes on the bus, 10 minutes by taxi, or 35 minutes on foot to get between the sites. Alternatively, travelers can join a Park Güell tour that will escort them to both Barcelona attractions.

Do Park Güell tickets sell out?

Tickets to Park Güell can sell out because only 1,400 visitors are permitted inside every hour (source). Sold-out tickets are very common during the high season from May to September and it is recommended to book tickets to Park Güell at least a few days in advance during this time.

How much time do you need in Park Güell?

Visitors will need approximately two hours to see all the key sites at Park Güell. However, guests are allowed to stay at the park for as long as they want once they enter (re-entry is not permitted after leaving the premises).

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Now you’re completely prepared for a visit to Park Güell. If you need a little extra help planning your trip to this famous Spanish city, check out my 5-day Barcelona itinerary.