Things to do around Park Guell

Things to do around Park Guell

Park Güell is the second most visited Gaudi’s work in Barcelona but it’s not the easiest place to reach. So, probably when you finish your visit you may want to know other things to do around Park Guell.

Discover Gaudi’s first building

From Plaça Lesseps (just get down to Travessera de Dalt and then turn right) you can get a good idea of things to do around Park Güell. Because not far from there stands one of Gaudi’s early works and the first one where he was hired as a chief architect. We are talking about Casa Vicens, which was built in Carrer de les Carolines (down from Plaça Lesseps through Príncep d’Astúries, Carrer de les Carolines will be on your left). It’s not open to the public but just from outside the fence you’ll notice something I always explain on my tours: the strategy that Catalan modernism found to differentiate itself from French Art Noveau was getting inspiration from arabesque style found all around Spain. Casa Vicens is one beautiful example built in the late 19th century. Despite not being open to the public for visits… you can BUY it!

Continue climbing the city for views

Once you see the views from it’s terrace, things to do around Park Güell become obvious: get more views! From Park Güell you can reach Turó de la Rovira if you have a good map or a good sense of orientation (or the company of a local). Just take the the eastern exit of Park Güell thtourh Carretera del Carmel and follow it until it crosses Carrer de Mulhberg. Then continue walking until the summit, where you’ll find even better views than from the Park Güell. By the way, up at the Turó de la Rovira there are ruins of anti-aerial cannons used during the Spanish Civil War to defend Barcelona.

Wander around Gràcia

You just can’t get tired of this neighbourhood, so if your are looking for things to do around Park Güell, you should cross Travessera de Dalt and go down to Gràcia. There, an inspiring restaurant will give you a charming lunch or diner (good value for money at Miriot, at Carrer Francisco Giner 54 or incredible Japanese tapas at Momo’s, at Carrer Martínez de la Rosa 71) or a good cafe will give you the opportunity to hang out and relax a little bit. Locals love Salambó at Carrer Torrijos 51. Perhaps you prefer shopping? Then Astúries and Verdi are your streets. If you really love walking, you can go down Gran de Gràcia, which will take you to Passeig de Gràcia and you’ll be back at the city centre.

A Gaudí theme park

When I first heard about Gaudí Experience as a good solution for what to do around Park Güell I was really skeptical. My intuition was telling me that this place was something exclusively designed for tourists and that it was almost a perversion in Gaudí’s legacy. Well, after trying it I must admit that I was a little bit wrong. Gaudí Experience is a mixture of a museum and an amusement park on your way down from Park Güell (at Carrer Larrard). Despite being totally designed for tourists they provide you a quick and comprehensive Gaudí interactive overview plus a 4D show (that would mean a 3D show in moving chairs). For just 9 € this is cooler than the classical tourist trap. Actually it’s specially suitable for you if you are traveling with children.

Despite the fact that Park Güell is not in the city centre, Barcelona is such an amazing city that you will never lack things to do around Park Güell. Enjoy!