Park Güell: Entry Ticket
Quick and Easy Access to Gaudi's Magical Park Güell
- Park Güell: Entry Ticket
- Access to the Monumental Zone
Park Güell Tickets and Information
- Park Güell Address: Carrer d'Olot, Barcelona.
- Park Güell Opening Hours: Daily from 09:30 - 20:30
Is Park Güell Worth Visiting
- Definitely. Park Güell isn't your standard park. It's not just a field or space with flowers. Gaudi designed it to be special and to feel like magic for it's visitors.
- With Gaudi's classis use of colours and shapes and the various different areas. If you've seen photos of Park Güell, you will know you are in for a surprise. If you've been before, you already know how special it is and you are returning again!
- TIP: Book tickets in advance - they sell out quickly during the summer months as entry is limited to 1400 people per hour.
What you see when visiting Park Güell Monumental Zone
- Gaudi's Magical Park in Barcelona
- The famous areas including the Dragon Stairway
- The Porters Pavilion
- The Serpentine Bench
- The Hypostyle Room
- The Greek Theatre
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About Park Güell
The Park Güell Monumental Zone - What is it
The famous Park Güell 'Monumental Zone' is a section of the park that requires a ticket.
What You See at Park Güell's Monumental Zone
The Park Güell Monumental Zone covers around 12 hectares (just over 30 acres) and sits between the neighbourhoods of El Coll, La Salut, Vallcarca I els Penitents, El Carmel, and Can Baró. The Monumental Zone includes the following:
The Entrance and the Dragon Stairway: You can enter Park Güell through the iconic 'Dragon Stairway', which features the famous mosaic dragon, whcih is one of the symbols of Catalonia. The captivating entrance sets the tone for the park.
The Porters Lodge Pavilion: The Porters Lodge Pavilion is home to two gingerbread-style houses. One serves as the park's visitor centre, and the other as its gift shop.
The Serpentine Bench: Winding around the main terrace is the famous 'Serpentine Bench', which shows Gaudí's mastery of organic forms. The bench is huge at approximately 110 meters long and it's unique design was intended to foster communal living in the garden city (the garden city was the original plan for the land). The bench area offers incredible panoramic views of Barcelona and is a major photography point in the park.
The Hypostyle Room: At the heart of Park Güell lies the 'Hypostyle Room', or the 'Hall of a Hundred Columns,' even though it only has 86! This forest of Doric columns was inspired by the Greek town of Delphi, and it supports the terrace above. It was originally designed as a marketplace for the but the area now serves as a surreal and dreamlike architectural focal point. The intricate mosaic ceiling represents the four seasons and the towering columns imitate a forest.
Mosaic Magic – The Trencadís Technique: Mosaic magic comes to life at Park Güell through Gaudí's 'trencadís' technique. He used broken ceramic tiles to create vibrant, textured surfaces. He also used the technique in Casa Batlló and it adds a burst of colour to the park's features, including the famous Salamander and the Portico of the Washerwoman.
The Salamander and the Portico of the Washerwoman: No visit to Park Güell is complete without seeing the colourful Salamander, a mosaic creature known as 'the Dragon of Park Güell.' The famous symbol is another major photo hotspot. The Portico of the Washerwoman on the main terrace, with its trencadís-covered columns and ceiling transports you to a world of fantasy. Each column was created by a different artist to ensure no two are the same. The most famous, the Portico of the Washerwoman, includes a sculpture of a woman carrying a basket on her head, symbolizing the laundry she carries.
The Greek Theatre: Discover the Greek Theatre, a large open space which is surrounded by a circular bench. The area was designed for public events and performances, and embodies Gaudí's vision of architecture that respects and celebrates the natural world. See how the theatre integrates seamlessly into the hillside, enhancing the park's overall natural harmony.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Park Güell earned the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, along with several other Gaudi designs in Barcelona. Visitors can explore and enjoy the cultural and artistic significance that led to this award.
Each ticket sold goes towards preserving this UNESCO World Heritage Site and enables visitors to enjoy it's beauty.
See All Park Güell Ticket Options
The History of Park Güell
Gaudi's fairy-tale-like dreamland landscape is in the heart of Barcelona and stands as an artistic masterpiece and a captivating testament to Antoni Gaudí's genius and Catalonia's vibrant spirit. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is more than just a leisure space; it is a celebration of creativity, welcoming millions of people each year.
Early Vision and Construction (1900-1914)
The story of Park Güell, also known as Parc Güell, begins in the early 20th century when industrialist Eusebi Güell commissioned Gaudí for a residential project. The vision was to create a private garden city with 60 luxury properties, intended as a weekend retreat for Barcelona's elite.
Construction started in 1900 and the first plot was sold to Martí Trias i Domènech, a lawyer and friend of Güell. Simultaneously, Gaudí's assistant, Francesc Berenguer, designed a showhouse to encourage sales. It was this house which Gaudí, his father and his niece actually ended up moving into in 1906 and today it is known as the 'Gaudí House Museum' and is open to the public.
Eusebi Güell also developed a property on the site, transforming an existing property into what became known as ‘Casa Larrard.’
Despite the grand vision, the residential project faced difficulties. By 1907, key features like the Grand Staircase, the entrance, and the Hypostyle Hall were completed. However, only two properties (Gaudí's house and Güell’s redeveloped property) were finished before the project was abandoned in 1914.
Following its abandonment, Güell allowed the site to be used for public events, and it began appearing in tourist guides for Barcelona. After Güell's death in 1918, his family offered the land to the city of Barcelona, which purchased it in 1923. The park became city property and was opened to the public in 1926 and that is how Park Güell came to be!
Today, Park Güell remains a historic and cultural landmark, embodying the artistic flair of Gaudí and the cultural heritage of Catalonia.
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Park Güell FAQs
- What is Park Güell in Barcelona?
- Park Güell is a public park in Barcelona that was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (also responsible for Sagrada Familia and other popular tourist attractions in Barcelona). The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a very popular tourist attraction in the city.
- Where is Park Güell?
- Park Güell is in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, on Carmel Hill so it offers brilliant views of the city.
- Who commissioned Park Güell in Barcelona?
- The park was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist and close friend of Antoni Gaudí. It was originally meant to be a housing development for the Barcelona elite, but was later transformed into a park.
- What is the main attraction in Park Güell?
- The park features the famous mosaic lizard, called "El Drac," a colourful Serpentine Bench (very popular photo location), as well as various other areas including the Sala Hipòstila (Hypostyle Hall).
- Do you need a ticket to enter Park Güell in Barcelona?
- Tickets are required to enter the Monumental Zone in Park Güell, yes. It’s the Monumental Zone which includes the famous parts of the park. However, other areas are free to visit. Click HERE for ticket options.
- Why is Park Güell so important?
- It’s a masterpiece of architectural innovation and a symbol of Gaudí’s ability to blend natural and man-made elements harmoniously. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Can you see the Sagrada Família from Park Güell?
- Yes, Park Güell offers a panoramic view of Barcelona, including the Sagrada Família.
- How big is Park Güell?
- The park spans 17 hectares (42 acres) in total (the Monumental Zone covers around 12), making it one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona.
- Is Park Güell family-friendly?
- Absolutely, yes! It’s a great destination for families, offering fun architecture, open spaces, and child-friendly exploration opportunities!
Park Güell Fun Facts
- It Was Meant to Be a Housing Estate: Eusebi Güell and Gaudí originally envisioned Park Güell as a luxury residential community with 60 plots for homes, but the project failed due to lack of buyers and was converted into a park instead!
- Only Two Houses Were Built: Of the planned homes, only two were constructed. One of them was Gaudí's former residence, where he lived until he died and it is now the Gaudí House Museum!
- The Park Is Full of Symbolism: Gaudí incorporated Catalan nationalism, Christianity, and nature’s forms into the park’s design!
- The Mosaic Lizard Is an Icon: "El Drac," the mosaic lizard at the park's entrance, has become one of the most recognisable symbols of Barcelona!
- The Serpentine Bench Holds a Record: The undulating bench in the main terrace is one of the longest in the world, stretching 110 meters (361 feet)!
- It Offers Amazing Views: The park’s elevation means it provides amazing panoramic views of Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Hypostyle Hall Wasn’t a Hall: The Sala Hipòstila was originally intended as a marketplace for the housing estate that never materialised!
- It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Park Güell was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 as part of “Works of Antoni Gaudí.”
- The Trencadís Technique Is Revolutionary: The colourful mosaic tiles, called ‘Trencadís’, were made from broken ceramics, showcasing Gaudí’s commitment to sustainability. He also went on to use the technique at other properties in Barcelona.
Useful Information About Park Güell
Tips for Visiting Park Güell
- Book Tickets Online: Park Güell is incredibly popular, especially during the summer months and they only let limited numbers in each hour. Book your tickets in advance and online to safe guard your space and also save you time at the ticket office, as queues do form.
- Combination Tickets: Opt for one of our great combination tickets that give you access to more than just Park Güell. Click HERE for combination ticket options.
Park Güell Address & Entrances
Park Güell Address: As the park is so large it doesn’t actually have an address, as such! However, there are 3 entrances that you can refer too, and they are:
- Carrer de Larrard (the main entrance to the park) and is located at the intersection of Carrer de Larrard and Carrer d’Olot. Buses H6 & D40 stop at Travessera de Dalt Stop and it will take around 10-minutes to walk to this entrance from there.
- Carretera del Carmel is located next to the coach parking area meant for tourists and is situated at the Western edge of the park. The entrance is referred to as the Placa de la natura entrance. The Turistic Bus and Barcelona City Tour Buses both stop at the Avinguda de la Mare de Deu de Montserrat station, and this will also take around 10 minutes to walk to the entrance.
- Av. del Santuari de Sant Josep de la Muntanya and is on the Eastern edge of the park and also has access via an escalator, which you may also prefer to use over the hill climb that is otherwise required! You could take the metro to Lesseps or Vallcarca stations which are on the L3 line, and the Park Güell entrance is a bit longer at 20-minutes’ walk from the stations.
Getting to Park Güell
- By Metro/Train - Closest Station: Lesseps/Vallcarca (but they are both around 15-minute walk from Park Güell)
- By Bus - Closest Bus Stop: Carretera del Carmel-Park Güell. Bus H6 or D40 both stop at Travessera de Dalt and its a 10-minute walk.
- By Barcelona Bus Turistic - (via the Blue Line) and Barcelona City Tour Bus (Route: East and Green colour) both stop at Park Güell
Park Güell Opening Hours
- Park Güell is open daily
- 1st July to 31st August: 09:00AM – 19:30PM
- 1st September to 29th October: 09:30AM – 19:30PM
- 30th October to 31st December: 09:30AM – 17:30PM
