I’m sure you’d agree that when a wealthy industrialist employs the world’s greatest architect to construct paradise on earth it’s going to end up in tourist gold.
If you don’t there’s nearly 3 million paid tourists a year to back me up.
Yes, getting Park Guell tickets is about as standard as airport transport. Yet you wouldn’t know it. The complaints about lines from tourists range from whiny to hell-on-earth-like.
How can we avoid issues with the world’s most stunning urban park?
Reading my guide of course.
Already keen and ready? Click the button for an exclusive English guided tour:
Index
1 – Park Guell facts
2 – What to see
3 – Tickets
4 – Park Guell guided tour in English
5 – How to get to Park Guell
6 – Hours and best time to visit
7 – Park Guell hacks
8 – Park Guell map + app
9 – FAQ
Park Guell Facts
This 17 hectare park (about 13 city blocks) on a rocky hill is one of the most spectacular urban parks in the world. It keeps watch over Barcelona from the hills above the Gracia district.
Park Guell was conceived in 1900 by wealthy industrialist Eusebi Guell. His intention was to create a lavish, Utopian housing development in the middle of a park using the world’s most cutting edge architecture.
Cue Antoni Gaudi.
The legendary Catalan architect was put in charge of designing the more than 60 luxury homes of the planned community over looking the city, far away from smoky factories. All with latest technology and a touch of art.
In the end the men couldn’t even sell the show house and construction was halted in 1914.
Gaudi moved into one of the houses in 1906 and lived there until 1926: it’s now the Gaudi House Museum. Ultimately the area was turned into a municipal garden in 1926.
UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1984.
What to See at Park Guell
Park Guell is made up of two areas: The Monumental Zone and the Free Zone.
All of the most recognized portions of the park will be found in the Monumental Zone while the Free Zone is more of a backyard garden.
The Monumental Zone
At the south side entrance on Carrer d’Olot you’ll see the park hemmed in by a rustic stone wall with its emblematic ceramic medallions bearing the name Park Guell.
The two trencadís-speckled buildings on either side that look a lot like gingerbread houses from Hanzel and Gretel were once the porter’s lodge complete with waiting room and telephone booth.
The twin-flight dragon stairway entrance is flanked by two grotto terraces, one of which was used for keeping horses. A journey up the stairway is as capricious as it is magnificent: you’ll encounter goblin shapes, Catalonian symbols, and the famous tile-shard mosaic dragon: the most famous image of the park.
It’s actually a salamander 😛
Further up the staircase you’ll find the Doric Temple (a forest made of 86 columns) which was intended to be the market of the estate. Thanks to its twisted columns it gives the impression of being on a patio built on tree roots.
Keep walking and you’ll get to the Banc de Tracadis, a long bench covered in ceramics created by Josep Maria Jujol, one of Gaudi’s closest contemporaries.
Here is the massive tile-decorated esplanade and centre-piece of the park called Plaça de la Natura (Nature Square). The view of the city from there is amazing.
The Free Zone
The Free Zone takes up 92.1% of the park so you’ll have a ton of terrain to explore for free.
In general the space is much more wild and garden-like: you’ll find a seemingly endless stream of sculpture-adorned winding paths creeping uphill and offering spectacular views of the city, unseen aside from a few rooftop bars.
You’ll also see some of the park’s original homes including the famous Gaudí House Museum: it was here that architect Antoni Gaudi lived from 1906-1925. In 1963 the house was turned into a museum about Gaudi and his life.
Careful: the Gaudi House Museum isn’t property of the park. You won’t be able to visit with a standard Park Guell ticket nor any Park Guell guided tour.
Tickets can be bought online via the official website.
Park Guell Tickets
Prices
On the 25th of October 2013 the price of Park Guell tickets went from zero to €7.00. The least picturesque part of the park remains free but the monumental part (described above) is not.
- General ticket: €10.00
- Kids (7-12): €7.00
- 65+: €7.00
- Disabled visitors: €0.00 (with paid accompanying person, €6.00)
- Kids under 7: €0.00
Careful: if you leave the paid area of the park you won’t be able to re-enter.
If you read my FAQ section you’ll see there are rumours about free entry to Park Guell if you’re really, really early around 7 am. Please take this advice with a grain of salt.
Buying Tickets Online
The advantages of buying your Park Guell tickets online are two-fold.
Firstly, you choose your own times. Buying tickets in advance online ensures you get the time slot you wish for which makes planning your day easier.
Secondly, there a no lines. Just print out your ticket or show your QR code on a smart phone at the access control point to get in.
Get your tickets online by clicking the button below:
Using a Tourist Pass
If you’re going to visit both Park Guell and Sagrada Familia I suggest getting a discount tourist pass.
The best pass option including Park Guell tickets is the super-handy Barcelona City Pass. Not only do you get line-skipping entrance to Park Guell and Sagrada Familia but you also get a trip on the Bus Touristic.
It also gives you 20% discounts on virtually any other attraction including Casa Batllo, La Pedrera, Camp Nou, flamenco shows, walking tours, nightlife etc.
With this digital discount card all is done from home and you’ll skip lines everywhere:
Ticket Windows
The logical and old school approach is to get your Park Guell tickets at ticket windows.
Be advised though: this is one of Barcelona’s biggest attractions and if you do this you’ll likely be waiting in line for upwards of an hour.
Also be advised that the maximum hourly visitor admittance is 400 people. This means that even after waiting in line you’ll like be assigned a time slot which could be anywhere from 1-4 hours later depending on crowds.
Whatever you do, book your Park Guell tickets online.
Park Guell Guided Tours in English
This fantastic Park Guell guided tour is offered exclusively by Barcelona tour legends Ticketbar: you won’t even find this on the official Park Guell website.
The tours here are in English with actual flesh and blood guides who are Gaudi experts.
This 90 minute tour runs Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
The meeting point is right outside the park at 41 Carrer de Larrard.
With this tour you’ll avoid lines at the entrance and have a great education on one of the world’s best parks.
Prices: adults €31.50, children 10-17 are €27.50.
After buying your Park Guell tour tickets you’ll receive a confirmation email from Ticketbar within 24 hours.
In the email you’ll have all instructions needed for attending the tour as well as your ticket which must be printed and presented at the tour start location.
How to Get to Park Guell
Shuttle
Starting on April 1st 2019 the city of Barcelona offers a free return shuttle for Monumental Zone ticket holders.
The shuttle runs from Alfons X (L4) metro station during Park Guell opening hours.
The trip will last 10-15 minutes and run every 7 minutes.
Taxi
Since Park Guell is both out of the way and uphill this is a great chance to take advantage of a €5.00 discount on Spain’s taxi app program: Free Now (formerly MyTaxi).
You’ll save so much time and end up paying only about €5.00 or €6.00 from anywhere central, a great option if you’re traveling in large groups or with kids.
For more information see how to sign up with Free Now.
Bus and Metro
- Bus 24 from Passeig de Gracia or Placa Catalunya will get to you right to the gates.
- Bus 92 connects Park Guell to the sea and Sagrada Familia but expect a ten minute walk.
- Metro stops Lesseps or Vallcarca on the green line L3 (15 minute uphill walk).
- With the Bus Turistic. The bus leaves you a short walk from the park.
- Taking a regular taxi should be between €10.00-15.00 from anywhere central.
If you’re still a bit confused on directions drop me a line below with a departure point for some custom advice.
How to Get to Park Guell from other Barcelona Attractions
- Sagrada Familia: Walk to the Pg. de Sant Joan – Còrsega bus stop and grab bus V19.
From here it’s about 20 minutes on the bus and you’ll get off at the Ramiro de Maeztu – C N Catalunya stop. It’s about 170 meters from the park entrance. - Casa Batlló: Exit the house and cross the street to take bus 24 (right outside the Mcdonald’s) and it’ll drop you off right at the park entrance. It’ll take about 35 minutes.
- La Pedrera: Take a right on Passeig de Gracia when exiting the house and grab bus 24 right in front of the Gucci shop. The trip right to the entrance takes 30 minutes.
- Camp Nou: Take the blue metro line from Badal to Diagonal and then take bus 24 at Passeig de Gracia. It’ll take about 50 minutes.
Park Guell Hours 2020
As a rule you should leave an hour for the monumental part and another hour to see the free part.
- 1 Jan to 14 Feb 2020: from 8:30 to 17:30 (last entry at 16:30).
- 15 Feb to 28 Mar 2020: from 8:30 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:00).
- 29 Mar to 26 Apr 2020: from 8:00 to 19:30 (last entry at 18:30).
- 27 Apr to 23 Aug 2020: from 7:30 to 20:30 (last entry at 19:30).
- 24 Aug to 24 Oct 2020: from 8:00 to 19:30 (last entry at 18:30).
- 25 Oct to 31 Dec 2020: from 8:30 to 17:30 (last entry at 16:30).
What’s the Best Time to Visit Park Guell?
Park Guell can’t be beat with the morning light so I advise the earlier the better.
Your best bet is getting Monumental Zone entry before 9:00 am and showing up about 30 minutes before to walk the free zone. The crowds won’t be any thinner during the day.
After I suggest walking back into the city. It’s downhill. Get a feel for the way locals live by having a carajillo (a shot of espresso with chosen liquor) in a random cafe. Then head to the Gracia district for brunch. You’ll have the whole day ahead of you.
If you just can’t get up then I recommend the later time slots toward closing time.
In summer I would strongly advise against going between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm as the sun (and crowds) could take you out!
Park Guell Map
The city has outlined 3 different routes to explore the park depending on which entrance you use.
It’s recommended to download or print the park map from the official Park Guell website to avoid getting lost and maximise time. Here you’ll also be able to download a free app with audio, photos, and an interactive map to really enhance the experience.
The app is available in 7 languages including English and is available for Android and iPhone.
Park Guell Hacks
- Book Park Guell tickets online or you may be waiting hours.
- Leave at least 50 minutes to travel there from the city centre.
- Remember: there’s a 30 minute grace period for entry times (e.g 9:00 tickets admitted till 9:30).
- With pre-booked tickets try and avoid entering at the main entrance (the west is less crowded).
- Bring appropriate ID if you’ll be taking advantage of any discounts (senior, children etc.).
- Bring comfortable shoes if you’re looking to go all the way to the top.
- Visit in the evening for more comfortable temperatures and great sunset photos.
- Amenities are overpriced and scarce: take your own food and water for a picnic.
- Shade is at a premium so bring sunscreen in summer.
- Those with limited mobility should arrive via taxi or Bus 24 to avoid uphill walks.
Park Guell FAQ
What time slots are available for the Monumental Zone?
You can select to enter at :00 or :30 every hour of the park’s opening hours (last entry 1 hour before close).
What happens if I’m late for my time slot?
You have 30 minutes courtesy to be admitted otherwise your tickets won’t be accepted – plan ahead!
Can I cancel or change my ticket booking?
No changes or refunds can be made with tickets bought at the official Park Guell website.
For guided tour tickets you may be able to contacting [email protected]
How will I receive my tickets?
For both general admission and guided tours you’ll receive your tickets via email.
I didn’t receive my tickets, what now?
First of all make sure your tickets haven’t been caught in any spam filters. If you still can’t locate the tickets then you can email [email protected]
Can I show my ticket on my smart phone or tablet?
Yes.
I can’t print my ticket and I don’t have a smart phone, what now?
Bring a piece of ID (and preferably your reservation #) to the ticket windows to be given your passes.
How long should I leave for the visit?
Including 30-45 minutes return travel time plus an hour each for the Monumental Zone and free zone I would leave 3.5 hours minimum.
I heard there was free entry to the Monumental Zone, is this true?
The workers don’t arrive to set up ticket barriers at the Calle d’Olot entrance until about 7:45 am. I’ve heard this means people can go right through into the Monumental Zone without paying, but please don’t quote me on it.
If you really can’t handle paying I would risk trying to get the free entry at this time. Even if you’re turned away you can still have a great excursion to the free zone.
If I haven’t booked my tickets online will I get in?
Yes and no. After waiting in potentially long lines you may be assigned a much later time slot or in busy cases be told to come back the next day.
Your best bet for tickets in this case is to buy your Park Guell entrance at the machines at Lesseps or Vallcarca metro stations. Here there are shorter lines and you won’t risk walking uphill for nothing.
Is Park Guell OK for disabled visitors or those with limited mobility?
Disabled visitors may have problems navigating the Monumental Zone due to its many steps and uneven paths. Any special access requirements should be sent to [email protected]
Get at Me in the Comments Below
Yes, I’m going to (desperately) ask you to consider me your friend in Barcelona.
That means you can ask me any question, no matter how ridiculous, about your upcoming holiday and I’m going to answer it! So whether it’s Park Guell guided tour tickets or just a place to get a good cup of tea know because I’m here for you.
Also don’t be afraid to join the Park Guell discussion by first giving me a like on Facebook and then joining my group I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, and chat with thousands of Barcelona travelers.
Anything goes!
Cristina
Hi,
My boyfriend and I will be there in May. We wanted the easiest way to see Park Guell and La Sagrada familia. It seems “easiest” is to get tickets for no line entrance but we also want to learn soemthing about the place and were interested maybe in a guide at both places so we can appreciate them more. What is the best option is there a dual package where we get skip the line entries and a guide? If we want to do them both in the same morning what time should we book them and which one do we go to first? We are staying near Plaza Catalunya. Best advice on which one to go to first, what time, easiest transport, and guide?
Thanks,
Cristina
Pranav
First, I cannot thank you enough for putting together such an incredibly detailed write-up on Parc Guell. I am slated to arrive in Barcelona this Wednesday (November 27) and my flight gets in at noon. Assuming my flight arrives on time, my plan was to check in to the place I am staying at (very close to the Encants metro stop), grab a quick bite, and head over to Parc Guell. Given that the sun sets at 5:30 pm this week, and you’ve recommended 3.5 hours including travel time, I have a few questions;
a. Is visiting Parc Guell and visiting the bits that warrant daylight before 5:30 pm on Wednesday a sensible plan?
b. If this is indeed a somewhat sane idea, what time should I book my entrance ticket for?
c. Would it make sense to do this as two separate visits – one for the Monumental zone and one for the free zone on separate days? Would it be fair to assume that all the good city views are from the free zone?
d. I tried the link you included in your post to the map of Parc Guell but I am unable to find the map on the page that your link is tied to. I might be missing something here but it would it be possible for you to include a link to the map?
Thank you in advance!
Ash
Hi Pranav,
It’s definitely a sensible plan to visit before 5:30 pm. I’d give myself the last 45-60 minutes before sunset at the Monumental Zone which means you’d wanna schedule the visit for 4:30 or 4:45.
I wouldn’t bother doing them separately because it’ll add a lot of unnecessary travel. You’ll need 30-60 minutes for the Free Zone… there are amazing views there but the ‘piece de resistance’ naturally is in the paid zone because of the mosaic benches. Best photos are taken from here. That said, the highest views and ones with less tourists will naturally be in the Free Zone. It depends what you’re after I suppose 🙂
I’m on holiday at the moment with a horrible internet connection so about the map… I can’t check the site itself but will look on Monday. It should be in this link:
https://parkguell.barcelona/en/planning-your-visit/maps-and-services?q=en/planning-your-visit/maps-and-services
Cheers,
Ash
Pranav Chandrasekhar
Hey Ash,
Thanks so much. I was trying to figure out where those mosaic benches were. Good to know they are in the monumental zone. I will aim for 4:30 on Wednesday. I just hope my flight from New York gets to Barcelona on time!!!! I feel supremely guilty for bothering you with this barrage of questions while you are out on holiday. I cannot thank you enough for making time to respond to my annoying questions. I promise I won’t bother you with more. Last, but not least, your help is more than I have received from friends of mine that have visited Barcelona. Much appreciated!
Regards,
Pranav
Ash
Hey it’s no problem! Don’t feel guilty. That’s what I’m here for… best of luck on your trip, fingers crossed for the on time flight 😉
Pranav Chandrasekhar
Much appreciated Ash!
Gary Cottiga
Hi,
Last night I purchased via http://www.barcelonahacks via your link (to TicketBar.eu) 2 x tickets for Park Guell Skip the Line. I was emailed confirmation no problems. However, upon printing the tickets it states in the Important Notes bit that , and I quote:
ONLY TICKETS PURCHASED ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE parkguell.barcelona WILL BE VALID. Park Guell reserves the right to refuse any ticket that has not been issued by the offical website. Park Guell has no agreements with thirs parties and only sells tickets through parkguell.barcelona.
So, my question is, are these tickets I have bought valid as they have not been purchased from parkguell.barcelona?
I also purchased 2 x Sagrada Familia Basilica Audioguide tickets via your links. Upon printing tickets, they do not have a statement like above?!
I eagerly await your reply. Thanks.
Ash
Hi Gary,
I understand the paranoia here but do you think I’d have 6 years in the business and thousands of followers but be selling fake tickets? 😉 This is probably just to cover them in the event somebody tries to forge tickets… but I assure you the booking mechanisms used to reserve your ticket are utilizing the exact same system as the official site. Thus, they are considered as such.
If you don’t get in I’ll personally come up there and take you for an expensive lunch 😉
Cheers,
Ash
Gary Cottiga
Awwww thank you so much Ash for confirming and I did not mean any ill will at all. As you said, just paranoia!!!! You come very highly recommended and subsequently this is why I booked tickets and have planned my whole Barcelona trip from your site. Bravo !!!!!!!
May I trouble you again then?
We are staying at Hotel Suizo, plaça de l’Àngel, 12, 08002.
Please may you instruct the best way to get:
from hotel to Park Guell for 10am and then from Park Guell to Sagrada Familia for 1pm the same day and then back to the hotel.
Thank you and just name the time and place for that expensive lunch lol…..
Ash
Thanks Gary. I didn’t mean to be sarcastic or anything… but for me throwing my whole reputation away for some fake ticket scam wouldn’t make sense. I’ve got the sweetest gig in the world, making my own hours helping people like you enjoy their holiday! Don’t wanna mess that up 🙂
Anyway, the classic Hotel Suizo is easy for Park Guell. Just grab the yellow line of the metro at Jaume I up to Joanic. From here there’s the free shuttle (included with every ticket) that’ll take you right to the gates.
To get to Sagrada you’ll take the shuttle back down to Joanic, take the yellow line down to Verdaguer, and then from here it’s just a 10 minute walk to Sagrada.
And yeah… will schedule us in for a 17 course Michelin starred meal at Tickets as soon as you send me the proof the tickets are fake 😉 lol
Cheers,
Ash
Ash
Also! Oops, sorry about this… the metro stop you’ll need to get off at (and return to) is Alfons X, NOT Joanic.
I get these two mixed up all the time as I used to live by both.
Gary
Buenos tardes Ash ( I’m practicing!). That is absolutely brilliant. Thanks so much for all you information and well done on a fabulous informative site. Barcelona here I come woohoooooooo.
Ash
Woo hoo! Excited for you… please let me know if you need any last minute help 🙂
Lori
Hi. My family of 5 and I will Be in Barcelona for the first time Dec 26 for 5 days. How far in advance do I need to buy tickets for the park and any other attractions ? Where are closures listed over the holidays ? Also , do I need to make dinner reservations for that period well in advance ?
Ash
Hi Lori,
In general I would say to book ASAP for this period as it’s essentially high season.
As for closures I’ve got them listed in my visiting Barcelona over Christmas article. In general in depends but most of the closures are on December 25th and January 6th.
I would make your reservations well in advance for dinner 🙂 I’ve got some great ideas in the article above.
Cheers,
Ash
Lori
Thanks Ash. This is great. Would you know if there is a similar site to this for Madrid. ?
Ash
Hi Lori,
It has been a plan of mine to launch a Madrid one for some time but I just don’t have the time! What a shame 🙁 I don’t know of any though maybe Google will yield something for you. I see a lot of travel bloggers which have dedicated articles (like Handluggageonly, one of my favourites) but nothing like a full blog.
Cheers,
Ash