Barcelona, Casa Batllo

Architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona 

The colorful Casa Batlló, a house from the 19th century renovated in the well-known modernist style, is one of many masterpieces of Gaudí in Barcelona. 

The interior of the house is just as exceptional as the exterior of the building. The building has become a famous landmark in Barcelona and is open for the public. The Casa Batlló was awarded the 2004 Europa Nostra Award for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. 

Undoubtedly worth a visit. 

Opening Hours 
Monday - Sunday from 9 a.m to 9 p.m (Last entrance at 8 p.m.) 

Location 
Passeig de Gracia 43 08007 Barcelona 
Metro to Diagonal or Passeig de Gracia 

Ticket is valid for 3 months from date of purchase! 

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Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Park Güell is synonymous with Barcelona and it’s no surprise it’s one of the top five tourist attractions in the city. Not only does it offer stunning panoramic views, fantastical architecture and beautiful gardens, but you can also discover the house of the great man himself in the grounds of the park.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The dream-like exuberance of Gaudí’s imagination remains breathtaking to this day and as you stroll around you can’t help but admire how skilfully he integrated his work into the landscape. His usual imposing style can be seen throughout the park – bright colours, unusual architectural forms, influences from nature that include natural shapes and curves.

The grounds of the park are pretty big and it can be bit overwhelming on arrival. To make life a little easier, check out our guide on what to see and do during a visit.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The history of Park Güell

Built from 1900 to 1914, the Gaudí Park is situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. Park Güell is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called ‘Works of Antoni Gaudí’ along with his other masterpieces such as the Sagrada Família and La Pedrera.

The park was originally commissioned by the Catalan entrepreneur Eusebi Guëll, who wanted around 60 houses built in the style of English garden cities for the wealthy of Barcelona to enjoy. (The English influence can also be seen in the anglicised spelling of ‘park’.)

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Work on Park Güell was interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1914 but the idea of a housing estate never really took off due the park’s distance from the city centre. So in 1922 the unfinished estate became the property of the city of Barcelona and is still open to the public today as a municipal park.

Things to see in Park Güell

The two gatehouses – these Hansel and Gretel-like gingerbread houses are what greet visitors who have made the climb to the Gaudí Park. They flank the park entrance and are famous for their fantastical roofs and mushroom-shaped domes with colourful tiling work. Originally there were two, life-size mechanical gazelles at the entrance of Park Güell, but they were unfortunately destroyed during the Civil War.

The staircase - for some, the stairs themselves will not be an attraction but it’s the beautiful fountains on the way up that you should take a look at. The infamous salamander or drac is one of them and like a lot of the Park, it’s decorated in broken ceramics and glass in a mosaic style known as trencadís. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in the whole park and you often have to queue for a quick snap.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Room of 100 Columns’ – 100 Doric columns hold up the square above and provide a shady pavilion from the summer heat. If you look to the ceiling you’ll find numerous coves, elaborated with religious, mythological and astrological symbols.

The serpentine bench – this beautiful tiled bench surrounds the viewing terrace or main square and is supposedly the longest bench in the world. It’s a great place to sit back, relax and admire the spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. The benches themselves are covered in an array of unique mosaics, delicately created by Gaudí’s assistant Josep Maria Jujol.

Gaudí museum – the Museum, otherwise known as Casa Museu Gaudí, can also be found in the grounds of Park Güell. It was his home between 1906 and 1926 and today it’s open to the public for a small fee. Among the artefacts inside are furniture and mirrors from the other Gaudí buildings such as Casa Batlló, the Pedrera and Palau Güell, as well as the artist’s wardrobe, bed and personal possessions.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The peak – the stone cross at the top of Park Güell marks its highest point and it’s here that you’ll find extraordinary panoramic views of the city. On a sunny day you can spot the majority of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks – Sagrada Familia, Agbar Tower, Camp Nou and of course the Mediterranean Sea. It is an unforgettable sight and the perfect way to start or finish a trip to Park Güell.

How to get to Park Güell

You wouldn’t get the spectacular vistas you do in Park Güell without its hill-top location, but it’s this hill-top location that makes getting to it a little tricky at times, especially on a hot day! The main Park Güell metro stop is Lesseps however it involves a 20-minute uphill walk to the entrance of the Gaudí Park. A top tip is to go one stop further on the metro to Vallcarca, catch the escalators up to the cross at the park’s highest point and then head down into the park. You will essentially see the Park in reverse and end up leaving through the entrance but it does mean you walk down the hills instead of up!

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Another option which is great if you are sightseeing with children or the elderly is to take the bus. Bus No. 24 drops you directly outside Park Güell’s entrance and goes from Plaça Catalunya and Poble Sec, while bus No. 92 does the same but goes from Glòries & Port Olympic. Other buses that will drop you nearby are 31, 32, H6 and 112.

Park Güell opening hours

January to March – 10:00 to 18:00

April – 10:00 to 20:00

May to September – 10:00 to 21:00

October – 10:00 to 20:00

November – 10:00 to 19:00

December – 10:00 to 18:00

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Park Güell prices

From october 2013, Park Güell entrance has a cost. 

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

You’ll be pretty unlucky if you find yourself in Barcelona on a rainy day – it’s a rarity but it does happen from time to time. No need to be down about it though as there are plenty of things to keep you entertained!

To kick-start the day

Go for breakfast at the beautifully unique We Pudding on Calle Pau Claris, 90. It is like stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland where you can sip your coffee and nibble on a croissant under a red and white circus-style roof surrounded by mushrooms.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

Bus tour out of the rain

The rain shouldn’t stop you from exploring Barcelona and a good way to do this is by taking a hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus tour. The double-deckers are covered so you can still enjoy the views from the top deck without getting wet. There are two routes to choose from, and either one will allow you to explore Barcelona’s must do’s without traipsing through the rain.

On the East Route you can stop off at one of our favourite Gaudí-designed buildings, Casa Batlló, the legendary Sagrada Família and if you fancy brushing up on your Catalan history, take a trip to the informative and entertaining Museu d’Història de Catalunya (Museum of Catalan History). On the West Route you have MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), the Caixa Forum which often has exciting exhibitions on display, and the FC Barcelona Experience at Camp Nou which takes you around the stadium and behind the scenes into the team’s changing rooms.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

In fact, any one of Barcelona’s famous museums or tourist attractions can be done on a rainy day. The upside when it’s raining is you’ll feel less guilty spending an extra five minutes staring at that Picasso painting at the Picasso Museum when you know there’s no tempting sunshine outside. For a more unusual museum experience, how about the Chocolate Museum, (Museu de la Xocolata) where you can learn about the history of your favourite guilty pleasure.

A spot of shopping?

If museums aren’t your thing, then perhaps shopping sounds more appealing. Barcelona’s shopping options are endless, and heading to one of the city’s large malls would be an ideal way to get your retail fix and stay dry at the same time.

Las Arenas is the city’s most interesting shopping centre, converted in 2011 from a bullring. It can be found at Plaça Espanya and has a great range of shops and restaurants, as well as a large cinema complex on the upper floor. The Rock Museum is also housed up here. With an impressive memorabilia collection, the museum walks you through the history of rock music from its origins to the present day.

You could even take a shopping trip a little further out of the city, to the outlet village La Roca, which you can get to by taking La Roca Shopping Bus provided by Sagalés which departs hourly, Monday to Saturday from C/CASP, 34.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

Aquarium adventure

Another great place to visit, especially if you have kids, is L’Aquàrium de Barcelona. The aquarium in Barcelona is one of the most important marine centres in the world when it comes to the Mediterranean, with 35 tanks, 11,000 animals and 450 different species to discover.

Get out of Barcelona

If you want to try getting some better weather completely out of Barcelona, a good day trip to take is to Sitges. Even if it is grotty in Barcelona, chances are that here, just 35 minutes’ train ride down the coast, you’ll find beautiful sunshine. Sitges is a former fishing village with a whopping total of 17 golden sandy beaches and some great architecture to see. It’s a happening place with lots of bars and restaurants to discover and there is often something going on in the way of festivals too.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

Cook like a Spaniard

If you have a culinary streak, you might want to spend your rainy day taking part in a cookery class. These tend to be great fun and you get to learn how to cook all sorts of Spanish specialties, from paella to tapas. You can combine your lesson with a trip to the famous Boqueria Market in Las Ramblas where you will learn how to choose the best ingredients. In any case, you simply can’t leave Barcelona without visiting this market where you can spend hours wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere.

We hope this has given you inspiration to embrace your rainy day with open arms! And you never know, you may even be thankful for the rain if you are visiting some of the more popular attractions – the queue will probably be somewhat shorter!

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Park Güell is synonymous with Barcelona and it’s no surprise it’s one of the top five tourist attractions in the city. Not only does it offer stunning panoramic views, fantastical architecture and beautiful gardens, but you can also discover the house of the great man himself in the grounds of the park.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The dream-like exuberance of Gaudí’s imagination remains breathtaking to this day and as you stroll around you can’t help but admire how skilfully he integrated his work into the landscape. His usual imposing style can be seen throughout the park – bright colours, unusual architectural forms, influences from nature that include natural shapes and curves.

The grounds of the park are pretty big and it can be bit overwhelming on arrival. To make life a little easier, check out our guide on what to see and do during a visit.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The history of Park Güell

Built from 1900 to 1914, the Gaudí Park is situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. Park Güell is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called ‘Works of Antoni Gaudí’ along with his other masterpieces such as the Sagrada Família and La Pedrera.

The park was originally commissioned by the Catalan entrepreneur Eusebi Guëll, who wanted around 60 houses built in the style of English garden cities for the wealthy of Barcelona to enjoy. (The English influence can also be seen in the anglicised spelling of ‘park’.)

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Work on Park Güell was interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1914 but the idea of a housing estate never really took off due the park’s distance from the city centre. So in 1922 the unfinished estate became the property of the city of Barcelona and is still open to the public today as a municipal park.

Things to see in Park Güell

The two gatehouses – these Hansel and Gretel-like gingerbread houses are what greet visitors who have made the climb to the Gaudí Park. They flank the park entrance and are famous for their fantastical roofs and mushroom-shaped domes with colourful tiling work. Originally there were two, life-size mechanical gazelles at the entrance of Park Güell, but they were unfortunately destroyed during the Civil War.

The staircase - for some, the stairs themselves will not be an attraction but it’s the beautiful fountains on the way up that you should take a look at. The infamous salamander or drac is one of them and like a lot of the Park, it’s decorated in broken ceramics and glass in a mosaic style known as trencadís. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in the whole park and you often have to queue for a quick snap.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Room of 100 Columns’ – 100 Doric columns hold up the square above and provide a shady pavilion from the summer heat. If you look to the ceiling you’ll find numerous coves, elaborated with religious, mythological and astrological symbols.

The serpentine bench – this beautiful tiled bench surrounds the viewing terrace or main square and is supposedly the longest bench in the world. It’s a great place to sit back, relax and admire the spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. The benches themselves are covered in an array of unique mosaics, delicately created by Gaudí’s assistant Josep Maria Jujol.

Gaudí museum – the Museum, otherwise known as Casa Museu Gaudí, can also be found in the grounds of Park Güell. It was his home between 1906 and 1926 and today it’s open to the public for a small fee. Among the artefacts inside are furniture and mirrors from the other Gaudí buildings such as Casa Batlló, the Pedrera and Palau Güell, as well as the artist’s wardrobe, bed and personal possessions.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The peak – the stone cross at the top of Park Güell marks its highest point and it’s here that you’ll find extraordinary panoramic views of the city. On a sunny day you can spot the majority of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks – Sagrada Familia, Agbar Tower, Camp Nou and of course the Mediterranean Sea. It is an unforgettable sight and the perfect way to start or finish a trip to Park Güell.

How to get to Park Güell

You wouldn’t get the spectacular vistas you do in Park Güell without its hill-top location, but it’s this hill-top location that makes getting to it a little tricky at times, especially on a hot day! The main Park Güell metro stop is Lesseps however it involves a 20-minute uphill walk to the entrance of the Gaudí Park. A top tip is to go one stop further on the metro to Vallcarca, catch the escalators up to the cross at the park’s highest point and then head down into the park. You will essentially see the Park in reverse and end up leaving through the entrance but it does mean you walk down the hills instead of up!

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Another option which is great if you are sightseeing with children or the elderly is to take the bus. Bus No. 24 drops you directly outside Park Güell’s entrance and goes from Plaça Catalunya and Poble Sec, while bus No. 92 does the same but goes from Glòries & Port Olympic. Other buses that will drop you nearby are 31, 32, H6 and 112.

Park Güell opening hours

January to March – 10:00 to 18:00

April – 10:00 to 20:00

May to September – 10:00 to 21:00

October – 10:00 to 20:00

November – 10:00 to 19:00

December – 10:00 to 18:00

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Park Güell prices

From october 2013, Park Güell entrance has a cost. 

Exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Some history: presenting Casa Batlló

Gaudí’s elaborately adorned and organically sculpted façade – now a symbol of Barcelona the world over – was built between 1904 and 1906 on top of an old country house on what was once the outskirts of the city.

Gaudí replaced the building’s original façade with a striking and colourful collage of stone, glass, and ceramic tiles that sparkle in the sun and subtly shimmer by streetlight. Even in the company of Modernista masterpieces like Domènech i Montaner’s Casa Lleó Morera and Puig i Cadafalch’s Casa Amatller, Casa Battló stands apart. This could be because unlike some of Gaudí’s other clients, Josep Batlló allowed Gaudí complete artistic freedom in the construction of Casa Batlló. The façade alone is proof positive that an artist’s imagination left to its own devices will produce the greatest art.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

The tour: wandering underwater realms

Open to the public since 2002 (the year of Gaudí), the tour of Casa Batlló includes the Noble Floor, the Loft, the building well, the entrance hall, and the rooftop.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

An unusual residence

On the way to Noble Floor, the former residence of the Batlló family, admire skylights shaped like tortoises’ shells and a curving banister carved from hardwood, resembling the spine of some massive beast. At the top of the stairs, get a glimpse of the blue-tiled building well. Enlarged and re-imagined by Gaudí, the building well features sea-coloured tiles that fade lighter towards the bottom and windows that shrink as they go up, creating the illusion of evenly distributed light.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

In the main living area, peer out wooden-framed windows that showcase views of busy Passeig de Gràcia. The windows are unique in that they have no doorjambs and can be flung open for a continuous panoramic view of the street below (by your tour guide). Snap shots of carved pillars shaped like human tibia bones, embellished with stylised floral designs and massive wooden doors set with stained glass. Gaze up at a plaster ceiling that swirls and waves into a whirlpool. Before you leave, spend a few moments fantasising about a cosy winter afternoon watching flames flicker and dance, while slouching comfortably on a bench beside the floor’s mushroom-shaped fireplace.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Located directly above the Noble Floor, the loft is a utilitarian space once used by tenants for laundry and storage, characterised by stark white walls and simple curving shapes. Here, more than on the Noble Floor, you see the ‘bones’ or underlying structure of Gaudí’s genius, without the distractions of colour and texture present in other parts of Casa Batlló. Walking among its series of 60 arches, it’s easy to imagine you’ve been swallowed alive and find yourself inside the spotless ribcage of some ravenous animal.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Up the spiral staircase, explore Casa Batlló’s unique rooftop terrace, dominated by the overarching shape of the front façade’s dragon-inspired roofline with its large, iridescent tiles, so often compared to scales. Examine chimney stacks covered in elaborate mosaic work. Take in sweeping views of Barcelona from above. Breathe deep, and remember why you came. Casa Batlló is only the beginning. Gaudí’s city awaits.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Getting there

By bus:

TMB bus 7, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24, 28, 43, 44, 63, 67, 68

Barcelona Tourist Bus North and South routes Casa Batlló-Fundació Antoni Tàpies

Metro: 

L2, L3, L4  Passeig de Gràcia stop

Train:

RENFE: Passeig de Gràcia station

FGC: Provença station

Exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Some history: presenting Casa Batlló

Gaudí’s elaborately adorned and organically sculpted façade – now a symbol of Barcelona the world over – was built between 1904 and 1906 on top of an old country house on what was once the outskirts of the city.

Gaudí replaced the building’s original façade with a striking and colourful collage of stone, glass, and ceramic tiles that sparkle in the sun and subtly shimmer by streetlight. Even in the company of Modernista masterpieces like Domènech i Montaner’s Casa Lleó Morera and Puig i Cadafalch’s Casa Amatller, Casa Battló stands apart. This could be because unlike some of Gaudí’s other clients, Josep Batlló allowed Gaudí complete artistic freedom in the construction of Casa Batlló. The façade alone is proof positive that an artist’s imagination left to its own devices will produce the greatest art.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

The tour: wandering underwater realms

Open to the public since 2002 (the year of Gaudí), the tour of Casa Batlló includes the Noble Floor, the Loft, the building well, the entrance hall, and the rooftop.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

An unusual residence

On the way to Noble Floor, the former residence of the Batlló family, admire skylights shaped like tortoises’ shells and a curving banister carved from hardwood, resembling the spine of some massive beast. At the top of the stairs, get a glimpse of the blue-tiled building well. Enlarged and re-imagined by Gaudí, the building well features sea-coloured tiles that fade lighter towards the bottom and windows that shrink as they go up, creating the illusion of evenly distributed light.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

In the main living area, peer out wooden-framed windows that showcase views of busy Passeig de Gràcia. The windows are unique in that they have no doorjambs and can be flung open for a continuous panoramic view of the street below (by your tour guide). Snap shots of carved pillars shaped like human tibia bones, embellished with stylised floral designs and massive wooden doors set with stained glass. Gaze up at a plaster ceiling that swirls and waves into a whirlpool. Before you leave, spend a few moments fantasising about a cosy winter afternoon watching flames flicker and dance, while slouching comfortably on a bench beside the floor’s mushroom-shaped fireplace.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Located directly above the Noble Floor, the loft is a utilitarian space once used by tenants for laundry and storage, characterised by stark white walls and simple curving shapes. Here, more than on the Noble Floor, you see the ‘bones’ or underlying structure of Gaudí’s genius, without the distractions of colour and texture present in other parts of Casa Batlló. Walking among its series of 60 arches, it’s easy to imagine you’ve been swallowed alive and find yourself inside the spotless ribcage of some ravenous animal.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Up the spiral staircase, explore Casa Batlló’s unique rooftop terrace, dominated by the overarching shape of the front façade’s dragon-inspired roofline with its large, iridescent tiles, so often compared to scales. Examine chimney stacks covered in elaborate mosaic work. Take in sweeping views of Barcelona from above. Breathe deep, and remember why you came. Casa Batlló is only the beginning. Gaudí’s city awaits.

Barcelona, exploring Gaudí’s Casa Batlló

Getting there

By bus:

TMB bus 7, 16, 17, 20, 22, 24, 28, 43, 44, 63, 67, 68

Barcelona Tourist Bus North and South routes Casa Batlló-Fundació Antoni Tàpies

Metro: 

L2, L3, L4  Passeig de Gràcia stop

Train:

RENFE: Passeig de Gràcia station

FGC: Provença station

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

You’ll be pretty unlucky if you find yourself in Barcelona on a rainy day – it’s a rarity but it does happen from time to time. No need to be down about it though as there are plenty of things to keep you entertained!

To kick-start the day

Go for breakfast at the beautifully unique We Pudding on Calle Pau Claris, 90. It is like stepping into the world of Alice in Wonderland where you can sip your coffee and nibble on a croissant under a red and white circus-style roof surrounded by mushrooms.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

Bus tour out of the rain

The rain shouldn’t stop you from exploring Barcelona and a good way to do this is by taking a hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus tour. The double-deckers are covered so you can still enjoy the views from the top deck without getting wet. There are two routes to choose from, and either one will allow you to explore Barcelona’s must do’s without traipsing through the rain.

On the East Route you can stop off at one of our favourite Gaudí-designed buildings, Casa Batlló, the legendary Sagrada Família and if you fancy brushing up on your Catalan history, take a trip to the informative and entertaining Museu d’Història de Catalunya (Museum of Catalan History). On the West Route you have MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya), the Caixa Forum which often has exciting exhibitions on display, and the FC Barcelona Experience at Camp Nou which takes you around the stadium and behind the scenes into the team’s changing rooms.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

In fact, any one of Barcelona’s famous museums or tourist attractions can be done on a rainy day. The upside when it’s raining is you’ll feel less guilty spending an extra five minutes staring at that Picasso painting at the Picasso Museum when you know there’s no tempting sunshine outside. For a more unusual museum experience, how about the Chocolate Museum, (Museu de la Xocolata) where you can learn about the history of your favourite guilty pleasure.

A spot of shopping?

If museums aren’t your thing, then perhaps shopping sounds more appealing. Barcelona’s shopping options are endless, and heading to one of the city’s large malls would be an ideal way to get your retail fix and stay dry at the same time.

Las Arenas is the city’s most interesting shopping centre, converted in 2011 from a bullring. It can be found at Plaça Espanya and has a great range of shops and restaurants, as well as a large cinema complex on the upper floor. The Rock Museum is also housed up here. With an impressive memorabilia collection, the museum walks you through the history of rock music from its origins to the present day.

You could even take a shopping trip a little further out of the city, to the outlet village La Roca, which you can get to by taking La Roca Shopping Bus provided by Sagalés which departs hourly, Monday to Saturday from C/CASP, 34.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

Aquarium adventure

Another great place to visit, especially if you have kids, is L’Aquàrium de Barcelona. The aquarium in Barcelona is one of the most important marine centres in the world when it comes to the Mediterranean, with 35 tanks, 11,000 animals and 450 different species to discover.

Get out of Barcelona

If you want to try getting some better weather completely out of Barcelona, a good day trip to take is to Sitges. Even if it is grotty in Barcelona, chances are that here, just 35 minutes’ train ride down the coast, you’ll find beautiful sunshine. Sitges is a former fishing village with a whopping total of 17 golden sandy beaches and some great architecture to see. It’s a happening place with lots of bars and restaurants to discover and there is often something going on in the way of festivals too.

Things to do in Barcelona in the rain

Cook like a Spaniard

If you have a culinary streak, you might want to spend your rainy day taking part in a cookery class. These tend to be great fun and you get to learn how to cook all sorts of Spanish specialties, from paella to tapas. You can combine your lesson with a trip to the famous Boqueria Market in Las Ramblas where you will learn how to choose the best ingredients. In any case, you simply can’t leave Barcelona without visiting this market where you can spend hours wandering around, soaking up the atmosphere.

We hope this has given you inspiration to embrace your rainy day with open arms! And you never know, you may even be thankful for the rain if you are visiting some of the more popular attractions – the queue will probably be somewhat shorter!

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Park Güell is synonymous with Barcelona and it’s no surprise it’s one of the top five tourist attractions in the city. Not only does it offer stunning panoramic views, fantastical architecture and beautiful gardens, but you can also discover the house of the great man himself in the grounds of the park.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The dream-like exuberance of Gaudí’s imagination remains breathtaking to this day and as you stroll around you can’t help but admire how skilfully he integrated his work into the landscape. His usual imposing style can be seen throughout the park – bright colours, unusual architectural forms, influences from nature that include natural shapes and curves.

The grounds of the park are pretty big and it can be bit overwhelming on arrival. To make life a little easier, check out our guide on what to see and do during a visit.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The history of Park Güell

Built from 1900 to 1914, the Gaudí Park is situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. Park Güell is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site called ‘Works of Antoni Gaudí’ along with his other masterpieces such as the Sagrada Família and La Pedrera.

The park was originally commissioned by the Catalan entrepreneur Eusebi Guëll, who wanted around 60 houses built in the style of English garden cities for the wealthy of Barcelona to enjoy. (The English influence can also be seen in the anglicised spelling of ‘park’.)

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Work on Park Güell was interrupted by the outbreak of war in 1914 but the idea of a housing estate never really took off due the park’s distance from the city centre. So in 1922 the unfinished estate became the property of the city of Barcelona and is still open to the public today as a municipal park.

Things to see in Park Güell

The two gatehouses – these Hansel and Gretel-like gingerbread houses are what greet visitors who have made the climb to the Gaudí Park. They flank the park entrance and are famous for their fantastical roofs and mushroom-shaped domes with colourful tiling work. Originally there were two, life-size mechanical gazelles at the entrance of Park Güell, but they were unfortunately destroyed during the Civil War.

The staircase - for some, the stairs themselves will not be an attraction but it’s the beautiful fountains on the way up that you should take a look at. The infamous salamander or drac is one of them and like a lot of the Park, it’s decorated in broken ceramics and glass in a mosaic style known as trencadís. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in the whole park and you often have to queue for a quick snap.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Room of 100 Columns’ – 100 Doric columns hold up the square above and provide a shady pavilion from the summer heat. If you look to the ceiling you’ll find numerous coves, elaborated with religious, mythological and astrological symbols.

The serpentine bench – this beautiful tiled bench surrounds the viewing terrace or main square and is supposedly the longest bench in the world. It’s a great place to sit back, relax and admire the spectacular view of the city and the Mediterranean Sea in the distance. The benches themselves are covered in an array of unique mosaics, delicately created by Gaudí’s assistant Josep Maria Jujol.

Gaudí museum – the Museum, otherwise known as Casa Museu Gaudí, can also be found in the grounds of Park Güell. It was his home between 1906 and 1926 and today it’s open to the public for a small fee. Among the artefacts inside are furniture and mirrors from the other Gaudí buildings such as Casa Batlló, the Pedrera and Palau Güell, as well as the artist’s wardrobe, bed and personal possessions.

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

The peak – the stone cross at the top of Park Güell marks its highest point and it’s here that you’ll find extraordinary panoramic views of the city. On a sunny day you can spot the majority of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks – Sagrada Familia, Agbar Tower, Camp Nou and of course the Mediterranean Sea. It is an unforgettable sight and the perfect way to start or finish a trip to Park Güell.

How to get to Park Güell

You wouldn’t get the spectacular vistas you do in Park Güell without its hill-top location, but it’s this hill-top location that makes getting to it a little tricky at times, especially on a hot day! The main Park Güell metro stop is Lesseps however it involves a 20-minute uphill walk to the entrance of the Gaudí Park. A top tip is to go one stop further on the metro to Vallcarca, catch the escalators up to the cross at the park’s highest point and then head down into the park. You will essentially see the Park in reverse and end up leaving through the entrance but it does mean you walk down the hills instead of up!

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Another option which is great if you are sightseeing with children or the elderly is to take the bus. Bus No. 24 drops you directly outside Park Güell’s entrance and goes from Plaça Catalunya and Poble Sec, while bus No. 92 does the same but goes from Glòries & Port Olympic. Other buses that will drop you nearby are 31, 32, H6 and 112.

Park Güell opening hours

January to March – 10:00 to 18:00

April – 10:00 to 20:00

May to September – 10:00 to 21:00

October – 10:00 to 20:00

November – 10:00 to 19:00

December – 10:00 to 18:00

Park Güell – Gaudí’s playground

Park Güell prices

From october 2013, Park Güell entrance has a cost.