Park Güell is one of Barcelona’s most visited tourist attractions. With a shocking 9 million visitors per year, it is one of the most popular attractions in the world. The number of visitors is higher than the Colosseum in Rome, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, or the Eiffel Tower in France. With so many visitors, it can get extremely crowded.
Despite the crowds, Park Güell is absolutely worth a visit. Visiting Barcelona without visiting the park would be a missed opportunity. The park was beautifully designed by Antoni Gaudí in the early 20th century. Scattered throughout the park, you can find beautiful mosaic statues and buildings. You have a stunning view of the city of Barcelona from the park. For a good reason, the park has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Due to its stunning beauty, the park has become incredibly popular and can feel very crowded. Especially on summer days, when it is peak season, the park can be packed. Park Güell is visited by 9 million visitors per year.
You must buy tickets in advance to avoid crowds and skip the line at Park Güell. The main reason to purchase tickets in advance is that the park tends to sell out. For the limited tickets still available, there are usually long lines at the entrance of the park. That is why we highly recommend buying tickets in advance.
How do timed-entry tickets for Park Güell work?
Timed-entry tickets are straightforward to book and use. Simply go online a few days or weeks before your visit to Barcelona. Select the date and time of your preferred visit to Park Güell. After that, purchase the tickets and bring the digital access ticket to the park. As long as you arrive at the park within 30 minutes of your chosen entry time, you can skip all the lines and walk right into the park.
An alternative way to skip the line at Park Güell: book a guided tour
Maybe the best way to skip the line at Park Güell is by visiting the park with a tour. Tour groups get express access to the park. An added benefit is that you will learn much more about the park’s architecture and history when you have someone explain everything to you. Guided tours can be combined with other skip-the-line visits in the city, including the famous La Sagrada Familia.
When should you buy tickets to Park Güell?
With 9 million visitors per year and only limited tickets available, Park Güell sells out. It is best to buy tickets well in advance. We recommend buying tickets at least a month in advance during peak season. In the off-season, you can buy tickets last minute to avoid paying for tickets that you cannot use.
Since when does Park Güell charge an entrance fee?
Park Güell started charging an entry fee in the autumn of 2013. The entrance fee generates income for the municipality and is a measure to battle overtourism in the city. According to CatalanNews.com, neighbors of the park were complaining about large crowds. You can still access parts of the park free of charge. However, the more interesting historical features of Park Güell are only accessible to those buying tickets in advance.
Can I still get into Park Güell if it is sold out?
Park Güell likely sells out. Tickets are usually unavailable on short notice. Fortunately, there is nothing to worry about. You can still buy tickets to Park Güell when they are sold out on the official park website.
There is still an easy and safe way to get tickets to the park. The easiest way is to buy tickets on websites like GetYourGuide.com or Viator.com. Professional resellers will have tickets available for travelers who cancel on short notice. They also buy tickets to resell last-minute decision-makers for a small premium.
What is Park Güell’s visitor capacity per day?
The park has a maximum capacity of 1,400 visitors per hour. You will need to make sure that you buy tickets in advance. The park recommends checking ticket availability so you can visit whenever you want.
Can you buy tickets at Park Güell’s entrance?
Yes, you can buy tickets at Park Güell’s entrance ticket kiosk. Unfortunately, if you choose to purchase tickets at the park entrance, you risk standing in long lines. It is highly recommended to buy tickets in advance.
What is the best time to visit Park Güell?
The best time to visit Park Güell to avoid crowds is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The best time of the year to visit the park is between peak season and off-season: spring or fall. Check our daily crowd predictions for Barcelona to find a quiet day.
How much is the entrance fee to Park Güell?
The standard entrance fee to Park Güell is 10 euros (December 2023 price). Unfortunately, these tickets tend to sell out quickly. Resellers like GetYourGuide or Viator often don’t sell out. For a premium of 3 euros per ticket, you can buy tickets when Park Güell is sold out.
Can you still visit Park Güell for free?
The majority of Park Güell can still be visited for a fee. However, the part with all the monuments designed by Antoni Gaudí falls within the restricted zone that can only be accessed through entrance tickets. The restricted area only includes the park’s southern parts. The rest of the park will be open to everybody.