If you are spending at least a couple of days in Barcleona you can’t miss the Park Guell. This is probable one of the most impressive places to visit in town, together with the Sagrada Familia, where you will be able to walk around in an incredible garden fill of peculiar architectonical elements.

The Park has been projected by Gaudi and has been commissioned by Eusebi Guell with the original idea of being a residential and aristocratic area. The construction took place between 1900 and 1914 but the original project was abandoned; the place became part of the city property and about 10 years later it was changed to a public park.

In here are quite visible political, religious and mythological elements, amazingly integrated in the landscape. In fact the park has been projected in Gaudi’s naturalistic stage during which the architect defines his own style, getting inspiration from Nature itself and using a lot his geometric studies. All this is pretty visible in each corner of the park: from the columns, to the paths, the vegetation, the materials used and the shapes.

The best way to reach the park is taking the green line of the metro and getting of at Vallcarca. There you need to follow the signs to the escalators which bring to the entrance. After a good walk through the different paths of the park, you will reach the main square, surrounded by the famous mosaics balcony. The technique used for this decoration is called “trencadis” and it’s has been invented by Guadi himself. From here you will have a wonderful view of the city and of the seafront, especially if it is a sunny day. Underneath the square there is a colonnade where buskers always perform, creating a very suggesting atmosphere.  Just in front of the colonnade there is a double stair, always full of tourists taking pictures to the dragon, one of the main symbols of Barcelona.

Inside the park there is also Gaudi’s home, where he lived from 1906 to 1925, just 2 years before passing away. Nowadays the building hosts an interesting exhibition of furniture designed by the architect.

If you are planning to visit the park you should count about half a day to enjoy the atmosphere of the place and maybe take it as an opportunity to have a picnic just a few minutes away from the crowd of the city. And of course this is also a good way for backpackers to have a very cheap day as the entrance is completely free.

INFORMATION:
Timetable – November to February: 10-18hrs
            March and October: 10-19hrs
            April and September: 10-20hrs
           May to August: 10-21hrs
Transport: - from the Barcelona Urbany Hostel: Red Metro Line (L1) to Plaza Catalunya + Green Metro Line (L3) to Vallcarca.