Parc Güell is one of the most breathtaking spots in Barcelona. The walk through Gràcia and up the hill of el Carmel builds the appropriate anticipation for an experience that never fails to excite.

The instant impact of the tiled mosaic sculptures that greet entrants is profound, but it’s the constant possibility of further discovery that sustains one’s childlike enjoyment of Parc Güell. The tubular hollow, dug into the soft face of the hill, heads to nowhere in particular, except where your imagination may go. The tall, irregular stone columns outline the area where a single street performer’s guitar can often be heard echoing throughout the pavilion. The multi-colored parrots further up the slope begin to catch the eye after a few moments of stillness. Astonishing panoramic views of Barcelona complete the episode.

You may find it more rewarding to discover the beauty of Parc Güell without the many hundreds amassed on weekends looking to do the same; so we recommend choosing a quiet time to head up the hill. Many intrepid aesthetes have been known to do so after a night’s partying, to watch the sun come up from atop the city from one of its finest perches. Parc Güell is without doubt the consummate monument to Gaudi’s considerable imagination.