Well worth a visit if you’re out and about in Barca. It’s very up hill and down dale as I recall, hot and dry, but with fantastic views over the city, and of course a lot of Gaudi tiling. The bench (longest in the world?) is quite a sight, and is particularly nice if you’ve seen l’Auberge Espagnole - yes it’s the same one!

What many regard as the most enjoyable and successful of Antoni Gaudí’s works in Barcelona, Parc Güell was actually born of failure: the work was commissioned by the Catalan shipping magnate Don Eusebio Güell as part of a garden city on the English model. The location, high above the city, was designed so that its wealthy residents could enjoy the fresh air and clear skies away from the pollution lower down.

Most of what we now think of as the park - the heavily architectural elements - were intended as public facilities, all designed in Gaudi’s trademark naturalistic and fantastic style, with many pieces being decorated in bright, irregularly-shaped traditional mosaic called trencadis.

Gaudi began work in 1900, but of the intended 60 houses, only two were ever built. Having failed to sell them, Gaudí moved into one of them and lived there from 1906 until 1926. It now houses a museum about the park.

The park is entered between two fantastical pavilions, which look like something out a fairy story (Hansel and Gretel springs to mind). The route then continues up two curving staircases bisected by fountains and the famous mosaic lizard (surely one of the most photographed sights in the city), before reaching the equally famous Hall of a Hundred Columns (actually, there are 86). At this point, look up - the ceiling consists of a series of shallow domes, with huge medallion-like bosses in between, all decorated in more mosaic, designed by Josep Maria Jujol, who collaborated with Gaudí on a number of projects over a 23-year partnership. The Hall was intended to be the covered market area of the new development.

More stairs take you on to the top of the Hall, to another of the famous landmarks: the terrace, with its long, sinuous bench, decorated with yet more mosaic. It is said the indentations in the seat of the bench were moulded by the builders’ buttocks, sitting in the soft concrete. If so, it certainly works! The terrace offers fabulous views over Barcelona - if you can peer through the crowds. It is also used as a performance space and for other public events.

The park behind consists of a series of roads and terraces, which have viaducts and overhangs displaying yet more Gaudi trademarks - leaning columns, columns imitating the palms above them, curving spaces and rough, sculptured surfaces. These were actually intended as sheltered walkways for pedestrians, and to separate pedestrians from vehicular traffic - a modern innovation for its time.

Work finished on the park in 1914 and, having remained undeveloped, it was acquired by the city in 1918, and opened to the public in 1923 as a park. The park became part of a world heritage site in 1984 alongside the Palacio Güell and Casa Mila, and in 2005 were incorporated into a larger group entitled the ‘Works of Antoni Gaudí’ including the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló.

Practicalities

The park contains a cafe as well as the museum, but be warned: the site itself is up a very steep hill, and abounds with steps. Wheelchair access is possible to most of the park, but the slopes can be steep and it involves some lengthy diversions.

The nearest metro station is ‘Lesseps’ on line 3 (green line) (Direction: Canyelles).

Entry to the park is free, but there is a charge to enter the museum.

Very nice, calm place worth visiting.

the best time we spend there!!!

I added photos of the stone columns. As the other reviewers have said, the architecture is stunning in its simplicity.

If you visit Barcelona, this place should be on your list.

It’s the BEST park I have even been to and also the reason why I booked a trip to Barcelona.
It’s just awesome. I love Gaudi’s work, it’s just WEIRD, ORIGINAL, MODERN.
The park is a bit far from the center. It takes a bit more than an hour to walk there from Plaza Catalunya but if you walk you can have the chance to see other art works from Gaudi: Casa Batllo, Casa Mila. You can also see La Sagrada Familia (cathedral).

The Parc Guell is the most amazing place I have ever been to.
As Sabrinachi said in the other review here Gaudi combines his architectural knowledge with his love for nature more than any other place. I went there with my daughter and we both could not stop wondering how they did it. You think its just stone - but it is alive everyt twist and turn must have been calculated to perfection. If you are in Barcelona or anywhere near dont miss out on this fantanstic - in the very sence of the word - park.

By visitint the musical Gaui I heard first time about these great artist. In the year 2004 I visited barcelona and i was able to see the artworks of Gaudi.. At many places in Barcelona you can find elements of Gaudi, but the park Guell already is somewhat quite particular. It perfectly brings nature and architecture in perfect harmony. I think only Gaudi can do so.
A highlight is also at the snake-shaped bank on the roof. Students of gaudi had created parts of it.
Pictures says more than words, so i addes some for you….