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.
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 from Thursday to Monday.
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 €31.00, 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 (April 2019)
Starting on April 1st 2019 the city of Barcelona will be offering 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: 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 MyTaxi.
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
As a rule you should leave an hour for the monumental part and another hour to see the free part.
- 1 Jan to 15 Feb 2019: from 8:30 to 18:15 (last entry at 17:30).
- 16 Feb to 30 Mar 2019: from 8:00 to 19:00 (last entry at 18:00).
- 31 Mar to 28 Apr 2019: from 8:00 to 20:30 (last entry at 19:30).
- 29 Apr to 25 Aug 2019: from 8:00 to 21:30 (last entry at 20:30).
- 26 Aug to 26 Oct 2019: from 8:30 to 20:30 (last entry at 19:30).
- 27 Oct to 31 Dec 2019: from 8:30 to 18:15 (last entry at 17:30).
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 in my new Facebook group called I’m Off to Barcelona – here you can ask any questions, air out grievances, chat with fellow travelers, and more – anything goes!
Fire away 😛
Dhwani says
Hi Ash,
I and my husband is visiting Barcelona on 23rd March. And as we started planning our trip, we found you and its been so helpful, you are so informative. We want to experience sunset from Park Guell. Can you please tell me which time slot we should book? Is sunset point of park Guell comes in free zone area?
Thanks in advance.
Dhwani
Ash says
Hi Dhwani,
Thanks so much for your kind words on the blog!
I see that the sunset is going to be at 7:06 on March 23rd so I would book the 5:00 pm or 6:00 pm time slot. You’ll be able to see it clearly from both the Monumental Zone and the Free Zone.
Ash
Dhwani Sisodiya says
Thanks Ash!
Another doubt is that we found three places from where we can see city and sunset- Park Guell, Montjuic castle and Caramel bunker. Out of that we have to choose one, but we cant decide, please help us out.
Dhwani
Ash says
Hi Dhwani,
For me the best views are from the Bunkers of Carmel simply because it’s the highest point in the city and also because the view is completely unobstructed and it almost feels like you’ll be falling off a cliff into the great unknown 😉
Ash
Ava says
Hi Ash,
Thanks for posting all the tips and info!
We are going to be in BCN for about 4 days and Sagrada Familia/Park Gruell is definitely on our list. With the Gaudi Bundle, is there an option for the guided tour for Sagrada, or is it just the audio tour? Also, I understand that with the bundle, entrance times are only after 2pm for Sagrada. Is that true?
If I’m looking for the guided Sagrada tour and entrance to Park Gruell, should I purchase them separately?
Thanks,
Ava
Ash says
Hi Ava,
Unfortunately the Gaudi Bundle only offers the audio guides and does not include a guided tour… it is not flexible in this way since the guided tour is a lot mor expensive. That said, there’s no shame in booking them separately.
And yes… since these are considered general admission tickets it would follow the standard 2019 rules of having to be after 2 pm.
Ash
Ava says
Thanks Ash!
On another note, since we are coming in during Holy Week (arriving on Good Friday through Easter Monday), I know a lot of stores, sites and restaurants are closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday. Guess I should’ve planned a little better, but I do understand most museums are open on those days. Also, I have heard that it’s a great time to visit with all the festivities of the holiday.
Any tips on how to make the most of or limited time there to get in the major sites with the holiday schedules? I already know I have to go to Boqueria on Saturday since that’ll be the only day open during those 3 days. Are most restaurants open? Which are the absolute must try eateries while there?
Thanks!
Ava
Ash says
Hi Ava,
Yes indeed it can be complicated time in a catholic country where the hours suck even when it’s not a holiday 😉 Not to worry though as in my article on visiting Barcelona during Easter I’ve got a list of the hours… many have already been updated for 2019 but some haven’t, and of course some are subject to change.
For this reason I’d check back the week before leaving just to be sure.
For restaurants it’s a big money maker for them so you won’t find a lot closed… in the article I’ve listed above I’ve got a list of some of the best local Easter dishes. I would seek out some of the best restaurants in Barcelona or the best tapas in Barcelona to get in on the action.
My favourite two restaurants are Arume and Somorrostro and that’s a good thing because it’s common to eat fish over Easter… and these places serve a lot and do it well! Can’t go wrong with either 🙂
Ash
Jess Kain says
Hi Ash,
What a great site this is! I’m visiting Barcelona with my 18 month old baby over Easter this year and I think I would like to see Parc Guell on Saturday morning. We will have a stroller and hope to walk at least the trip back. Is there anywhere safe there to leave the stroller if we don’t want to take it through the parc with us?
Thank you in advance! 🙂
Jess
Ash says
Hi Jess,
Thanks so much for your compliments 🙂
Regardless of it being a park up in the hills, the area surrounding the park is quite dense with many apartment blocks, people etc. and so it probably wouldn’t be recommended to leave it anywhere. I haven’t found any info on whether they’d have a place set aside for stuff like this but you could contact them here: [email protected] and hopefully get an answer.
Ash
Lee says
Love all the info you provided. I can’t wait for my trip to begin!! What do I do about cell phones? I don’t want to be charged an outrageous price by my current US cell phone provider, so what are the options of bringing my phone there and being able to use it for your audioguide, or to use it for internet purposes, or to use it for Cabify? Thanks. Lee
Ash says
Hi Lee,
Getting your own SIM card/European number is actually quite easy so I wouldn’t worry too much… as long as your US cell phone is unlocked (you can call the provider and usually get it unlocked for free) it can take any European pay-as-you-go sim.
If you’re really wanting to get it right away there are tobacco shops and newsstands in the airport which sell basic sim card packages. The most common are with Orange or Mundo… if you’re looking for data only and not to spend too much I recommend the Mundo one.
It’s really quite simple and super standard in Europe, more so than in Canada or the States. You can be up and running in 5 minutes 🙂
Ash
Eileen says
Hi Ash,
A big virtual hug for all your efforts – the insider info, the links, then updating it all AND replying to messages. You’re amazing!
Our family of five will be arriving in Barcelona Feb 15th at 13:15 via a Vueling flight from Madrid and leaving Feb 18th in the morning.
We’ve already booked Sagrada Familia 90-minute tour (Feb 16th at 12:00) and Camp Nou tour with Olivier (Feb 17th at 10:00), both thanks to your site.
We are an active family, three kids teens/early 20s. We usually take a bike tour when we visit a city for the first time. I know most start in the morning, hoping we can book a private one in the afternoon on the day we arrive – Feb 15th. Do you have a favorite touring company?
Taking your advice to catch the morning light, I would love to do the 90-minute Parc Guell Guided Tour on Feb 16th in the early morning. Currently only afternoon available. Would your recommend we book a private tour with Ticketbar, or is there another tour company you would recommend?
We have taken food tours in many cities, with mixed results. Thinking maybe we should rethink our food strategy and go to spots that are local favorites instead. No food allergies, we’ll eat anything, no need for fancy, just great food. What would be your top five places to go?
Am I pushing it if I try and squeeze in Montserrat or Tarragona in during an afternoon?
Last question! Rooftop bars in February – crazy or worth it?
A million thanks, in advance, for your guidance!
Eileen
Ash says
Hi Eileen,
Thank you so much for the kind words, it makes all my efforts worthwhile! 🙂
Let’s see, I’ll try and get through the questions in point form so it’s easier to digest haha.
– I’m a big fan of bike tours unfortunately I haven’t found a great one from personal experience so far, but I’ve been meaning to try Fat Tire bike tours because readers have spoken highly of it. I would look here.
– I’m a big fan of Ticketbar and don’t have experience with other Park Guell guided tour companies… I would go with them, that said I have heard from a lot of readers that the guided tour doesn’t add a lot of value and that some self education and a nice wander is enough.
– My top food tours are with Wanderbeak or Devour… I would take the tapas tours (the basic ones) because they’re great for info about the city plus the food stops are great and local. My top five local places off the top of my head for eating which can cover the full Spanish/Catalan experience would be Bodega Joan, Arume, Tasqueta del Blai, La Paradeta, and Cerveceria Catalana. Can’t go wrong at any of these especially if you’re open minded eaters with no allergies etc (this has to be a first! haha).
– Montserrat and Tarragona are both at least a half day so we’re talking leaving early in the morning and coming back around 3-4, just to be safe and unrushed.
– Most rooftop bars in Barcelona will be closed in February but to my knowledge the H1898 on La Rambla is open… if it’s a sunny day it’s certainly worth it to go up there and check out the views and relax a bit. The contrast with the chaos of the street below is great!
Hope this helps, please let me know if you need any more advice!
Ash
Eileen says
Ash,
This is so helpful – a million thanks for the detailed reply! Will check out all your suggestions now. Can’t wait for our Barcelona visit –
All the best,
Eileen
Ash says
No problem, all the best to you too 🙂
Julie Bateman says
First and foremost, you are a person after my own heart. “Failing to plan is planning to fail” should be my vacation motto! Your blog is easily the most comprehensive guide to any city I have ever seen. It is a marvel. Thank you for sharing your expertise. I have a question about arriving at Park Guell. We are staying near Glories metro. Which is the best way to visit Park Guell? An early morning arrival seems to be on our radar. I was thinking the metro to Joanic and the 116 bus to the main entrance. Would you recommend this? It seems the most direct, but it’s your town! Oh, and we are frugal so public transport is our usual mode of transport, walking is also great but uphill is not my favorite. Thank you in advance for your response.
Ash says
Hi Julie,
First off thanks for some of the kindest words I’ve ever received on the site, it’s these kind of kudos which make all the work worthwhile!
There’s certainly no shame in sticking to basic public transport since it’s affordable, accessible, and comprehensive! Your plan is perfectly fine with me… grabbing the 116 bus from Joanic will save you a decent uphill walk.
If though it’s a sunny day and you feel like a bit of a walk, I used to live up there and would get off at the next stop Alfons X… from here it’s about a 20 minute walk to Park Guell. It’s fairly steep but this out of shape 36 year old was able to do it every day for 18 months so I imagine most could 😉
Ash
Connie Morreale says
Also, I’ve read many reviews that the Monumental zone is not worth the time/money as you can view it t a distance from other areas in the parc and there is plenty of other wonderful things in the free area. Would you agree?
Ash says
Hi Connie,
You’re right, all of it can be seen from a distance… the big plaza with the view and the mosaic benches can be seen from nearby as can the amazing stairwell and famous salamander. Unless you’re really bent on getting a photo of yourself right by all these objects the paid ticket isn’t all that necessary – plus the free zone is quite impressive anyway!
Ash
Connie Morreale says
awesome…i’ll save on the entry fee and use to buy wine!
Connie Morreale says
Appreciate the blog.
We’re headed that was next week. We will do Battlo in the morning, Parc Guell midday and the Sagrada with booked tix at 445.
Do you think this timeline will work:
Battlo 10-12
Lunch 12-1
travel to Parc Guell from Battlo (via bus 24)1-1:30
Parc Guell 1:30-3:30
walk to S.F 3:30-4:15
Actual ticket time for S.F is 4:45 which leaves a thirty minute fudge factor.
Ash says
Hi Connie,
All looks good here! I would just make sure to leave a bit more time between Batllo and Park Guell… even seasoned experts might be pushing it by leaving only 30 minutes. If you happen to grab the 24 bus right away on Passeig de Gracia it’ll still take closer to 40.
I would give yourself 45 minutes to an hour between.
Also, walking from Park Guell to SF is a great thing to do with warm weather … it’s downhill and an interesting walk, but in November maybe I’d take transport instead. This would also make things quicker making up for the extra time you’ve added between Batllo and Park Guell.
My two cents!
Ash
Connie Morreale says
Understood on the advice to allow more travel time.
The walk does not look to be intimidating at all…why do you recommend transport? (Unless it is raining or below 7 degrees celsius)
CAMILLE says
You are going to see my name on your blog frequently, I am trying to plan out my visit as best as possible. I am planning to visit Park Guell on a Monday and was thinking about doing this in the morning. I would like to maximize my time here while still leaving time to grab the HOHO bus for the next couple of hours.
I was curious if the hours you listed are for the monumental zone or the entire park as I was thinking to get to the park around 7:30 walk around for an hour, go the monumental zone for about an hour then plan for to grab the Bus Touristic. Will I be allowed to enter the free zone at 700 – 730 or does the entire park open at 830am?
Ash says
Hi Camille,
Only the Monumental Zone has restricted access thus you can visit the rest of it (about 90% of it) at any time you like. If you’re going to be there as early as 700-7:30 in fact you’ll be able to access the Monumental Zone completely free! This is one of Barcelona’s worst kept secrets 😉
They usually start setting up the barriers and ticket people around 8… before then you’re free to do as you please!
Ash
Caz says
Just wondering if anyone has attempted the “free entrance” recently and know if it’s still a viable option?!
Sara says
Hi Caz,
I have not done it recently so I can’t say for sure but until not too long ago this information was available on the Park Güell official website. I am not sure if they have taken it out because it is no longer true (but I would expect them to specify it) or just because too many people were going in at those time and they did not want to advertise it too much. I’ll try getting a straighter answer!
Hannah says
Hi again,
I’m looking to book a Magic Nights performance at Casa Batllo. There is a place for a discount code – would our City Pass have a discount code for this? We haven’t purchased that yet.
Thanks!!
Ash says
Hi Hannah,
Unfortunately Magic Nights isn’t covered in the list of City Pass discounts 🙁 I’ve never heard of any discount code options for this (in fact I’ve looked around as people have asked!) so if you come across one I’d love to know so I could somehow integrate it on my blog.
Ash
Ryan says
Hi Ash,
Really fallen in love with reading your Blog.
My girlfriend and I are coming to Barcelona on Friday for a little 2 day break.
Now the Park Guell is a must on my list. Although from the various things I’ve read a spots I’ve plotted on the map, I am struggling to find some cool places to stop for bite to eat and a drink.
My thinking is to go to the Park Guell, then have some lunch, then head up to the Bunkers.
Is there a supermarket near by that I can get some beers in to go up to the bunkers?
Thanks
Ryan
Ryan says
Oh and I forgot to ask.
I really want to take my girlfriend to bar isabella, although I think I have missed the boat as I haven’t booked a table.
What are the chances of us getting a seat?
If I won’t be able to get there, where else would you recommend for a rooftop bar?
Ryan
Ash says
Hi Ryan,
I used to live right by there and can tell you there are no really good supermarkets around, but if you want some basics like wine and some cheese and ham I would go to Suma supermarkets at Carrer d’Albert Llanas 30 as it’s right in between Park Guell and the Bunkers (if slightly lower).
For the rooftop bars no worries if you can’t get in Bar Isabella as there are a ton which I’ve covered in my dedicated article:
https://www.barcelonahacks.com/rooftop-bars-barcelona/
The ones I go to casually with friends without booking would be Hotel Pulitzer (great bar, not greatest view) or Grand Hotel Central (amazing view and also good drinks).
Hope this helps! And thanks so much for the kudos, always appreciated 🙂
Ash
Annette van de Water says
Sorry, just to clarify on my question regarding the Park Guell times on the site, I am trying to book a guided tour. I have the voucher for the entrance and time of 09h00. Thanks again, Annette
Annette van de Water says
Hi Ash – Sorry but its me again with another question. We arrive 27th June and will be visiting Park Guell on the 28th at 09h00. I booked this through your site with the My City Bus inclusion. We would like a guided tour but when I looked through your site to visit this, there is no option for a morning visit on the day nor any specific times. My purchase order is 302018052600 and date of purchase 02-06-2018. The voucher reference number is TG1000183389. Thank you again for the fabulous site and amazing helpfulness. Kind regards, Annette
Ash says
Hi Annette,
Thank you so much for the kind words 🙂
For any possible changes regarding your City Pass (I assume it’s the City Pass?) you’ll have to contact the broker directly at:
[email protected]
Please let me know how you get on!
Ash
Shelby says
Hello! Thank you for all the information you share. Just want to be sure I understand your recommendation! I was planning on visiting the park the same day that we arrive in Barcelona (we will be traveling there the end of June). We do not arrive until late morning. So you would recommend then selecting a time between 1-4? Thanks for your help!
Ash says
Hi Shelby,
I would always recommend leaving more time for any unforeseen problems like flight delays or getting lost on the way to the hotel or whatever. It’s also a bit of a hike getting to the park as well so you’ll need time. You’ll also probably want to grab something to eat as well so that’s more.
I would pick around 3 or 4 in this case 🙂
Ash
Shelby says
Thank you for your reply! I will look into getting somewhere in that time frame. We will actually be traveling by train from Madrid so less likely that we will have complication but still better to plan for any circumstances like you said!
Aubrey says
Is there anywhere near the park you recommend to get coffee or breakfast? I’m thinking we will try to take your advice to get there first thing and won’t want to take up too much time with breakfast in the morning before we go.
Ash says
Hi Aubrey,
Since the park is quite isolated there aren’t a lot of options near the park and those that are tend to be tourist traps or very low quality bars.
The only places I know around are lunch spots.
I can tell you I lived near there for a year and never found anything good for breakfast.
Since I can’t recommend any from personal experience perhaps just get a snack from a supermarket to hold you over? Then head for a late breakfast or lunch afterwords and any of the top breakfast spots I’ve suggested.
Ash
Leora Chan says
I’ll be in Barcelona from June 28 thru July4. I want to take the Tourist Bus, take the English guided tour of Sagrada Familia and see Park Guell for starters. Should I buy each of the tickets separately or buy the Online City Pass or both if it’s cheaper. My friend and I are staying near the Sant Antoni metro station and I guess will be trekking back and forth. I’d appreciate any advice. Love your site but I’m confused with too many options. Oh, do they check to see if you’re really 65 when showing up with a senior ticket? Thanks!!!!!!!
Ash says
Hi Leora,
You’ll be here right in the middle of high season so for the line skipping abilities and the 20% flexibility alone I would book the Online City Pass.
That said, if you’re not planning on seeing much else other than what you’ve listed you’re certainly free to buy the tickets individually. Think a bit about what else you want to see and you’ll find your answers there, though in summer the convenience of the City Pass alone is worth it.
For the 65+ stuff consider it a compliment if they ask to see ID! Obviously they won’t bother you if you’re in your 80´s but if you’re on the borderline it’s not uncommon… it means you look young so let’s hope they ask 😉
Ash
Adrian says
Thanks. And I have complete confidence Ash. Even with two teenagers in tow!
Cheers again.
Adrian
Ash says
No problem 🙂
Adrian says
Thanks Ash. That’s Uber helpful advice (groan! ). I’ve now arranged our entire itinerary based on the advice provided on your site, so thanks for all the tips and info you’ve put on here!
Adrian
Ash says
Hi Adrian,
The entire itinerary, eh? I’m feeling the pressure 😉
At any rate let me know if you have any more questions about the holiday, good luck up on Tibidabo!
Ash
Adrian says
Hi Ash,
Just wanna say great site and full of really useful tips as we plan our itinerary for our first trip to Barcelona in a couple of weeks!
We want to visit Parc Guell for a few hours one morning and were thinking of going on from there to the amusement park at Tibidabo in the afternoon. Can you suggest the easiest/quickest way for a family of 4 to get from Parc Guell up to Tibidabo please?
Cheers.
Adrian
Ash says
Hi Adrian,
First off thanks for the compliments on the blog and I am glad I can help 😉
From Park Guell to the Tibidabo Funicular is a tough one with transit – it’s actually only about 3.5 km but would involve first going in the opposite direction taking bus 92 and then changing to bus 196 for a 40 minute trip if everything runs smoothly. Add in the summer chaos and area inexperience and this trip will take an hour or more.
Check out the route I’ve mapped on Google maps here.
For four people my recommendation is to take a taxi which will take about 12 minutes and cost around 9 euros.
Better yet you could sign yourself for Spain’s version of Uber: Cabify. It’s a superior service and cheaper. If you sign up under my portal you’ll also get a 6 euro discount on your first trip.
This means your trip from Park Guell to the Tibidabo funicular will be around 3 euros!
For more info on Cabify check my link out here.
For the money and time involved this is the best solution in my opinion.
Anyway, if you have any more questions make sure to hit me up! I’m always here to help.
Cheers,
Ash