Visiting Parc Güell is an iconic and must-do for your time in Barcelona! One could easily spend hours here wandering around and admiring the beautiful architecture and mosaic work. Here are 5 tips for visiting Parc Güell in Barcelona!
1. Take a Taxi There
While I am usually all about public transportation, visiting Parc Güell by cab is something I highly recommend! There is a nearby metro station about a fifteen minute walk away (the Lesseps stop on the L3 line), but it’s an uphill climb from there to the lower park entrance. Also, Parc Güell sprawls across a pretty big hill, itself! Instead, take a cab from the city center and have them drop you off at the top of the park. That way, you are only walking downhill throughout it and it will be a much more enjoyable experience!
There are three entrances to Parc Güell. You’ll want to tell your driver to drop you off at the one on Ctra. del Carmel. Here is an exact pin to help. I made the ride up during rush hour, so we did spend a little time in traffic, but my taxi ride still only cost 14€. Plus, drivers insist on no tips so that is an all-in fare!
2. Go Early
Parc Güell is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona, and for a good reason! I visited around 4:30 pm and the place was mobbed, even for an afternoon in February! I can only imagine how busy the park gets in the summer during peak tourism season. To enter the park, you do need to reserve timed tickets in advance (do so by clicking here). If you’re visiting in the off-season as I was, you probably don’t need to book your tickets until a few days out. However in the summer, I’d recommend booking as far in advance as you can! To avoid crowds (and get the best pictures), book for the earliest time in the morning. You’ll be one of the first in the door and have a little more peace without thousands of other people.
3. Be Patient
At the end of the day, we’re all out here trying to get the exact same pictures. The Greek Theatre, Hypostyle Room, and the Gaudi House are all iconic pictures that will define your trip to Barcelona- and everyone wants them! Take your time and be patient. You may be waiting in a “line” of people waiting for your turn to shoot, but it’ll be worth it. Manage your expectations and go into the day knowing you may spend some time waiting- and be okay with it. It’s also important to be respectful of the line behind you when it’s your turn. Have your photo vision in mind, snap a few frames, and then let others sneak in.
4. Explore the Park
Yes, we all want the iconic picture at the Greek Theatre. However, there is so much more to see and do in this park! While you can easily spend half a day here, I’d recommend taking at least 1-1.5 hours to explore the rest of the park (aside from the iconic Instagrammable places!). Wander down the dirt paths to other parts of the park and you will find many other beautiful and scenic spots, with significantly less crowds!
5. Take the Metro Back to the City
While taking a cab to the park is a smart idea, taking the metro back to the city center is very easy, affordable, and safe! The walk from the lower entrance/exit of the park to the nearest subway station (the Lesseps stop on the L3 line) is all downhill so it’s an easy way to see more of the city. On the walk, I also stopped for some churros and chocolate at Store Cafe and they did not disappoint! The metro will run you anywhere from $2-3 USD, depending on the conversion rate and trains arrive every few minutes. You could ride the train just a few stops to Plaça de Catalunya, or get off at Diagonal for some high-end shopping.
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