Today was all about Gaudi who is probably the most prolific architect that Spain, or arguably the world, has ever produced.  The only memory I have from being in Barcelona 15 years ago is exploring Park Guell and buying a colorful lizard souvenir.  So, of course, I had to go and see if it was all that I remembered. Since I was visiting Park Guell, I thought it would be fitting to also visit the world-famous Sagrada Familia which is also designed by Gaudi.

Park Guell

To get to Park Guell, you can take the green metro line and get off at either Lesseps or Vallcarca. I opted to get off at Vallcarca. The website said to take the escalators on Baixada de la Gloria, and others had told me there were signs clearly marking the way. I stepped outside  the metro and had no idea where to go. It was earlyish in the morning, so I had no other tourist to follow. The only “sign” I saw was Park Guell spray painted on a building with arrows pointing in 4 different directions. So, I picked a direction and walked. Pretty soon I passed a nice and youngish looking woman so I stopped her for directions. Through her broken english, my very very bad spanish, and a lot of finger-pointing, I was soon headed in the right direction. Not too much further down the street, I found Baixada de la Gloria and the escalators! Wohoo! Up I went, and I was super thankful that I didn’t have to climb all the stairs.

At the top was the free part of Park Guell. It provided stunning views of the city, so you should definitely check it out. After walking through that, I finally arrived at the monumental zone. The last time I was here (and even when Nisheet was here a few years ago) it was completely free. However, they now charge a 7 euro admission fee if you book online and 8 euros if you buy your tickets at the gate. Note: The picture below is of the main entrance when I was leaving. If you get off at Vallcarca, you will enter through one of the side entrances.

I arrived at 9:30am (30 minutes before my ticket time) but they let me in anyway because it was empty! It was beautiful being able to see the monuments and take pictures without (hardly) anyone getting in my way. Soon after though, hoards of asians tourists came swarming in with their annoying selfie sticks, so I would recommend getting there even earlier if you can.

 

  

All in all, I’m glad that I visited the Park again. It was similar to my memories (they even sold the same lizard figure), but the actual lizard (dragon) statue was a LOT smaller than I remembered. But the views and architecture are just spectacular. I’m not sure if it was really worth the 7 euros but you gotta go there at least once and it was a very enjoyable way to start my day.

When I left the Park, I went through the main entrance and there were signs guiding me all the way to the Lesseps metro stop. Perhaps there is an easier way to go, but then again, the signs didn’t direct me to any escalator so it would have been a tough walk up the hill. Luckily, I only had to walk downhill.

Sagrada Familia

I spent the middle part of the day wandering through the streets of Barcelona and then I headed to the Sagrada Familia. WOW!! It was simply breathtaking just from the outside even though there were construction cranes all over the place. I would love to see it when it’s complete.

I once again bought my ticket ahead of time. It didn’t save me any money, but it saved me from having to stand in a long line. I did get the audio guide, and while it was ok and let me go at my own pace, in hindsight I wish I had a real guide since it was the same price. Another thing to note, if you prepay, you enter on the opposite side from where the audio guide starts.

Anyways, the whole place and the experience is just stunning. You should visit. The colors coming through the stain glass will make your jaw drop. Then you notice you are standing in a Forrest of pillars with the branches supporting a flowery ceiling. And all the details… I can’t even describe it. It isn’t like any cathedral or church that I have ever been to. I’ll let the pictures below do the talking.

  

Be sure to read my blog on The Gothic Quarter and La Rambla!