Parc Güell was designed by famed architect and designer Antoni Gaudí and built between the years 1900 and 1914 during the Modernisme architectural wave.
In an effort to protect the historic site from the wear and tear that results from the constant influx of visitors, the park has a policy of controlled access. There is a one-way route that leads you past some of the most popular points in the park: the Hypostyle Room, the pillared Laundry Room Portico (the former entrance to the house where Gaudí lived, and where you can often listen to busking musicians), El Teatre Grec (a.k.a. Plaça de la Natura), and of course, the iconic Dragon Stairway, which has become a symbol of the city of Barcelona. Even with limits in place, the number of permitted visitors is high—1,400 per hour—and you may still have to wait in line to see the more famous spots in the park. It’s recommended to get your tickets online before your visit, as demand is high, especially in the warmer months.
Tickets cost €10 and are timed entry. You can explore the park at your own pace, or purchase entrance plus a guided tour for €22. Your ticket allows you to spend as long as you want in the park, but doesn’t permit you to exit and then re-enter. There are four entrances designated specifically for residents, and four for tourists; the hours of 7:00 to 9:30 and 18:30 to 22:00 are reserved for residents only.