Park Güell in Barcelona: Is it worth a visit?

March 14, 2025 Citie to Travel Comments Off

Park Güell is one of the most iconic sights of Barcelona and a must-see for lovers of architecture and art. Designed by famous architect Antoni Gaudí, this fairy-tale park is known for its colorful mosaics, unique shapes and the famous salamander. Originally commissioned by entrepreneur Eusebi Güell, the park is now one of the city’s biggest attractions. Would you like to visit Park Güell? Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance! In this blog we share all the practical information about the Park, tickets, opening hours and the best way to get there.

What is Park Güell?

Park Güell is one of the most special places in Barcelona and a perfect introduction to the work of Antoni Gaudí. This colorful city park in the northeast of the city clearly shows how Gaudí was inspired by nature.

Originally, Park Güell was intended to be an exclusive residential area, an idea of entrepreneur Eusebi Güell. A lack of buyers halted the project, and later the city of Barcelona took over the park and opened it to the public.

Today, Park Güell is a unique blend of architecture and nature, full of mosaics, fountains and sculptures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984, the park is one of the city’s most popular attractions.

What is there to see at Park Güell?

Park Güell is divided into two parts: the monumental area and the forest area. At the main entrance you will find the monumental area, where you can admire Gaudí’s impressive buildings. Further on is the forest area, a green oasis with walking paths, ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the city.

Some highlights of Park Güell:

1. The iconic entrance with unique architecture
2.The staircase with the salamander, one of the most famous symbols of the park
3.Sala Hipóstila, an impressive colonnaded hall
4.Plaça de la Natura and its famous pendulum bench with colorful mosaics
5.The viaducts, which blend perfectly into the natural environment
6.Pòrtic de la Bugadera, a beautiful undulating structure
7.Casa Larrard, the former home of Eusebi Güell
8.Torre Rosa: the house of Gaudí

This combination of art, architecture and nature makes Park Güell a unique attraction in Barcelona

1.The impressive entrance to Park Güell

As soon as you step into Park Güell, you immediately notice the extraordinary architecture. The main entrance, located on the Carrer de Larrard, is a work of art in itself. The stone wall is decorated with colorful tiles and the wrought iron gate has beautiful details in the form of palm leaves. Here you can immediately see Antoni Gaudí’s unique style, which is reflected throughout the park.

On either side of the entrance are two distinctive gateway houses, built between 1901 and 1903. The roofs of these houses are decorated with Gaudí’s signature mosaics. One of the buildings is open to visitors and houses a small exhibition on the history of Park Güell. The entrance alone is a great first introduction to this extraordinary park!

2.The famous staircase with the salamander in Park Güell

Just after the entrance to Park Güell, you will encounter one of the most recognizable sights: the staircase with the colorful salamander, also called El Drac. This beautiful mosaic sculpture is one of the most photographed spots in the park. The salamander is covered with hundreds of mosaic pieces in bright colors, making it instantly eye-catching.

The wide staircase consists of several levels. Halfway up you can see the emblem of Catalonia and above the salamander is a unique sculpture in the shape of three snakes. This impressive staircase is a perfect example of Gaudí’s playful and organic style and an absolute must-see during your visit to Park Güell!

3. Sala Hipóstila: the impressive colonnaded hall of Park Güell

The Sala Hipóstila is an impressive space in Park Güell, consisting of 86 large columns in the Doric style. Originally this hall was intended to be a covered market, but this plan was never implemented. Instead, the colonnaded hall supports the large plaza above it.

Gaudí designed the Sala Hipóstila not only as an architectural masterpiece, but also as a clever water drainage system. Rainwater is drained through the columns into a reservoir under the park, which can be used to supply water to Park Güell. The ceiling is decorated with beautiful mosaics created by artist Josep Maria Jujol. This unique combination of art and functionality makes the Sala Hipóstila one of the most special places in the park.

4. Plaça de la Natura and the famous pendulum bank in Park Güell

Plaça de la Natura is the central square of Park Güell and one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the views of Barcelona. This square is best known for its iconic pendulum bench, also called Serpentina, because of its undulating shape. The bench is completely covered with colorful mosaics, a technique called trencadís. Here you can relax for a while and enjoy the unique atmosphere of the park.

Originally this square was intended as an open-air theater, where visitors could watch performances from the mosaic benches. The ornate benches form a balustrade around the square and were designed by Josep Maria Jujol, an associate of Gaudí. This square, with its beautiful details and breathtaking views, is a must-see during your visit to Park Güell.

5. The viaducts of Park Güell

In Park Güell, you will find several viaducts that blend seamlessly into their natural surroundings. These arched bridges, such as the Algarrobo Viaduct and Viaducto de las Jardineras, are beautiful architectural works of art that perfectly fit Gaudí’s organic style. Originally, these elevated paths were meant to provide water to the houses in the park.

A special part of Park Güell are the Jardins d’Àustria, or Austrian Gardens. This area was first intended for housing, but later became a municipal plant nursery. In 1977, the park received a donation of trees from Austria, which gave these gardens their name. Today you can stroll here and enjoy the peaceful, green surroundings in the middle of the iconic park.

6. Pòrtic de la Bugadera: a beautiful undulating structure in Park Güell

Pòrtic de la Bugadera is an unusual structure in Park Güell with an undulating shape and colorful mosaics. It was originally intended as a washroom, but ended up being primarily a work of art.

Its playful shapes and natural colors fit perfectly into the environment of Park Güell. This unique portico is a fine example of Gaudí’s creative style and a real eye-catcher in the park.

7. Casa Larrard: the former home of Eusebi Güell in Park Güell

One of the landmark buildings in Park Güell is Casa Larrard. This house was originally built as a model home for the planned residential community in the park. Ultimately, this project was never completed, but Casa Larrard was already finished and became the home of Eusebi Güell. The building has an imaginative style and is made of stones from the surrounding area. Like other works in Park Güell, it is decorated with colorful mosaics. Today it is no longer inhabited, but serves as a school.

8. Torre Rosa: the house of Gaudí

Next to Casa Larrard is another special house: Torre Rosa. This pink building was once the home of Antoni Gaudí himself. Today it is a museum and information center where visitors can learn more about the life and work of the famous architect.

Where is Park Güell located in Barcelona?

Park Güell is located in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, at the address 08024 Barcelona, Spain. The park is located on a hill, slightly outside the city center, and offers stunning views of the city.

How do you get to Park Güell?

Park Güell is easily accessible by public transportation. The easiest options are the subway or bus.

By subway:

You can travel by Metro Line 3 and get off at the Lesseps or Vallcarca stops. From either stop, it is about a 15-minute walk to Park Güell. Keep in mind that the walk is uphill. At Vallcarca, there are escalators at the steepest parts to make the climb easier.

By bus:

Want to be dropped off as close to the entrance as possible? Then choose bus line 24 or 92, which stop right across from the entrance. Other options are the lines H6 or D40. You then get off at the Travessera de Dalt stop and walk another 10 minutes or so to the park.

Park Güell is a little further from the center, so it is not recommended to go there on foot from sights such as the Sagrada Família or La Rambla. Therefore, opt for public transportation and follow the signs to easily get to the entrance.

How long do you need at Park Güell?

The time you need in Park Güell depends on your pace and how long you want to stay at the various sights. On average, visitors spend 1.5 to 2 hours in the monumental part of the park. Want to look around quietly and take pictures? Then you can take a little longer to enjoy this beautiful park.

Opening hours of Park Güell

Park Güell’s opening hours vary by season. In the summer months of July and August, the park is open from 09:00 to 19:30. From September to the end of October, you can visit the park from 09:30 to 19:30.

In the winter months, such as January and February, Park Güell is open from 09:30 to 18:15. In April and May, opening hours are wider: 09:00 to 20:00.
Please note that on public holidays, times may vary, so it is always good to check in advance.

Tickets for Park Güell

To visit Park Güell, you will need an admission ticket. It is smart to reserve your ticket online in advance, as the park is very popular and often sells out.

You can buy tickets on the spot, but only if spots are still available. Often you then have to wait for a later time or even another day. In addition, there can be long queues at the box office. To avoid disappointment and waiting time, it is therefore convenient to arrange your tickets in advance.

Discover Park Güell with a guided tour

Want to really experience the magic of Park Güell? Then a guided tour is a great choice! This world-famous park is full of hidden details and special stories, and with a guide you will see it through the eyes of Gaudí himself.

The 75-minute tour begins at one of the four entrances. As soon as you enter, you are face to face with the iconic dragon fountain, the colorful symbol of the park. During the walk you will discover the hidden meanings behind the mosaics, paths and colonnades, while the guide takes you through Gaudí’s unique vision of architecture and nature.

The guides narrate with passion and let you experience Park Güell in a completely different way. You can choose a tour in different languages, such as English, Spanish, German, French or Italian. Highly recommended for those who really want to understand the park!

Is Park Güell worth seeing?

Definitely! During our trip to Barcelona, we visited Park Güell, and we were impressed by this beautiful park and its extraordinary architecture. We walked around there for over 1.5 to 2 hours and enjoyed the colorful mosaics, the fairytale-like structures and the amazing views of the city.

Gaudí’s unique style, vibrant colors and special atmosphere make this park absolutely worth a visit. For us, it was one of the highlights of Barcelona, and we definitely recommend it!

Cheap city break to Barcelona

Want to plan a city trip to Barcelona and not miss Park Güell? Then check out these special offers and take advantage of the best deals!