Sunset at Park Güell

If you’re expecting to follow the line of people to find Park Güell, you’re going to be disappointed. As an American, I’m used to following lines and sniffing out where they lead. Sometimes it leads to a fun discovery, like Shakespeare in the Park. I’ve waited patiently for almost an hour just to ride a rollercoaster in Southern California, and I’ve stood in curving lines staring at my phone while I anxiously anticipated the taste of cereal milk ice cream.

I expect lines when I’m abroad, and the length of the line seems to correlate with how cool the thing is.

So, I wasn’t too confident we were going the right way as we searched for Park Güell, the famous Barcelona park that features the work of Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí.

When we got there, it wasn’t busy. It almost seemed non-touristy, especially as we were followed by a group of girls with their hair in slicked-back buns and sparkly dance costumes (probably just out of a performance).

This could be why Park Güell was one of the most memorable things I saw in Barcelona.

I love parks in general, but this UNESCO World Heritage Site feels special. It’s not some simple, grassy space for residents who put up a fuss because they didn’t want any more high density housing (like you see in the states). The care and intention put into this park make it feel like a gift, and I loved the details put into the design.

The relaxing atmosphere and lack of crowds let us us explore the park completely on our own. And our timing couldn’t be more perfect, as we’d seen plenty by the time it was too dark to see any more.

Bonus, if you love inexpensive things to do, this park is a must.