Park Guell

Park Guell is one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona. You will find an array of cultural and architectural history and a wide variety of plant and nature species.

In 1885, Antoni Gaudi's patron Eusebi Guell acquired the terrain and instructed Gaudi to build a garden city. Park Guell began being built in 1900 as a tribute to nature and by 1922 the park was complete, however not everything that had been planned had been finished. In addition to the Sagrada Familia, this was the largest project of Gaudi, Barcelona's famous art nouveau architect. In 1929 the park was handed over the to public and in 1963, the former residence of Gaudi was opened as a museum.

The Park now has two areas, a restricted area where you will need to purchase a ticket and then a free area that is open to the public. You can easily spend a few hours within Park Guell exploring and taking in the breathtaking views of the city.

One of my favourite areas of Park Guell is Turo de les Tres Creus which is the highest part of the park. There are currently three crosses on top of a hill stone named Calvari. From the top there are the most breathtaking views of the city, but be careful on the journey up to the cross as the steps are very thin and there isn't a lot of room to stand up at the top.

Casa del Guarda is a gorgeous architectural masterpiece which almost looks like a gingerbread house. The cute little house was built between 1901 and 1903 and represents simplicity. It is now used as a museum offering information on Park Guell. Once inside there is a presentation on Gaudi's and Guell's lives. Gaudi's house museum is also worth a visit once inside Park Guell. Gaudi lived there for almost 20 years from 1906 until 1925 and and since it opened as a museum in 1963 it houses a collection of furniture and objects designed by the architect.

Above the main entrance you will find the dragon stairway leading to the Hipostila room. There are beautiful mosaics and a dragon sculpture and it is one of the most photographed areas of Park Guell. The majestic stone stairway however can get very busy so try to visit early in the mornings to avoid crowds.

There are several amenities inside the park including toilets and a restaurant. But if you're feeling peckish after your hike around the park, an 8 minute leisurely stroll (majority down hill may I add) takes you to Guelly Sandwich Park. They offer a variety of baguettes, pizza slices and also the traditional spanish churro. The owners are so friendly and welcoming, I'd definitely recommend after climbing hundreds of stairs. If you're feeling energetic and really want some breathtaking views of Barcelona, Park Guell is the place to go. Just don't do what I did and take the street up which is hundreds of steps when the next street on has a series of elevators that takes you pretty much to the entrance of Park Guell!!