A visit to the park takes planning and the better part of a day. Here are a few tips to help beat the crowds and make your experience a good one.

History

The park has an interesting history and was commissioned by Eusebi Güell (pronounced Goo-eh) in 1900. He and Gaudí envisioned a gated community for Barcelona’s rich movers and shakers. In 1900 the park was in the countryside, away from the hustle and noise of busy Barcelona. These days the park is within the city limits, though it isn’t centrally located. There were to be 60 houses in Eusebi Güell’s gated community, in addition to a large square, market area and other services needed to sustain the population.

However, Barcelona’s elite was not interested in Eusebi Güell’s plan, and only two of the 60 houses were built. WWI and the lack of interest saw the project abandoned in 1914, and eventually, in 1922, the city turned the land into a public park. Until recently it was a functioning public park, with no entrance fees. However, now tourists have to pay €7 to get in, a price that does not include entrance into Gaudí House Museum, where the architect lived from 1906 until 1925. For those that like to plan ahead, you can even buy tickets online.

Related: Barcelona’s best hotels for sleeping near Gaudi architecture

1. Go early

Hitting the park in the morning has a few advantages. One is that there are fewer people obstructing your photographs with Gaudí’s famous dragon fountain, and another is that it starts getting hot around 1 PM in Barcelona, especially from May to October. Wandering around in the afternoon sun in Park Güell in July or August could be a miserable trip due to the temperatures and lines. During low-season, the park will be less crowded, and heatstroke won’t be much of an issue. For more information, see the opening times throughout the year.

2. Bring food and water

There are few restaurant and cafe options in the park, but what is on offer is expensive. Plan ahead and bring a bottle of water, a couple sandwiches from your local bakery and some fruit from La Boqueria Market. Have a picnic on the beautiful Undulating Bench overlooking the city.

3. Don’t wear high heels

The park is enormous and set on a hillside that can be difficult to navigate without the proper footwear. You’ll be walking a lot and huffing and puffing uphill. Wear sneakers or shoes that aren’t going to kill your feet. Some of the pathways are made of dirt, so also use footwear you don’t mind getting dusty.

There are plenty of shady spots when you need a break from the sun. Photo: Regina W Bryan

4. Pack sunscreen and a hat

See tip one. It gets hot, especially in the summer. The last time I visited I got a sunburn, and it was May. There are shaded areas, but to explore the park fully, you’ll be trekking under the bright Mediterranean sunshine. Be prepared.

5. Public transport: Metro vs. bus

Many websites recommend taking the Metro to Lesseps and then walking up to the park. It’s an option, but it is not the fastest way, and it requires a lot of uphill hiking. If you’re fit and want some exercise, this is the route for you. If you want a quicker route, then take the bus 24 or 32 which will drop you off right by the park’s gates. When you leave the park, the walk to the Lesseps Metro stop, the green line, is not so bad because it’s all downhill. See more information on getting to the park and check out the Metro and bus schedules.

6. Watch your camera and wallet

Some of the trails to the back of the park, away from the main attractions such as the courtyard, houses, entrance, dragon and marketplace, can be desolate and thieves have been spotted lurking in the bushes. Keep an eye out. It’s not dangerous to wander the park’s trails, but make sure you have your purse and camera across your chest and are aware of who and what is going on around you.

The Gaudi House Museum is worth the extra ticket price. Photo: Regina W Bryan

7. Don’t miss the museum

The extra €5.50 you’ll have to cough up to get into the Gaudí House Museum is worth it. Between the general park entrance and the museum entrance, you’re looking at about €12. It’s a treat to tour the house, nicknamed the ‘pink tower’, to see where the architect and his family lived from 1906 until 1925. Touring the house also offers an idea of what Gaudí and Güell had planned for the 60 proposed houses that were never constructed. When Gaudí left the ‘pink tower’ he moved to La Sagrada Família and lived on site until he was run over by a tram in 1926.

Related: Tips for visiting Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia

8. Locals get in for free

Finally, not everyone has to pay to get into the park. When the city decided to start charging visitors, locals were not happy. After all, many neighbors had been using the park for years as a green space to jog and walk Fido. Locals from the districts adjoining Park Güell (El Coll, Vallcarca-Penitents, La Salut, El Carmel and Can Baró) have free entry to the park all year. If you live in La Barceloneta, then you’re out of luck!

Plan, pack a lunch, and catch the bus for a morning at this must-see destination. There is nothing else quite like it in the world, and the vistas overlooking the city and Mediterranean are spectacular on a clear day. Enjoy one of the most unique parks in the world!

The post Barcelona: 8 tips for visiting Park Güell appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Luckily, the Giardino dell’Orticultura (Horiculture Gaden) offers some much-needed greenery not far from the city center. So let me share one of my favorite spots, where you not only get some open space, but you also get a great view of the city you left behind. As an added bonus, all this beauty is available for free!

The 19th-century greenhouse

Florence underwent a huge transformation in the late 19th century. The city was modernized with grand boulevards, large open piazzas and equestrian statues. During the same period, this park was created to reserve a space for expositions of exotic plant life.

Nowadays the plants aren’t so exotic, but there are still fields of daisies sprinkled in the green grass. The area is divided into two sections by the unfortunate placement of the railroad. The lower section includes large fountains, small fields, benches, a small playground and a 19th-century replica of a traditional Italian “loggia” (a covered open-air pavilion with decorated arches).

The dragon fountain

The most impressive feature of this garden is the greenhouse, made entirely of glass and shining metal. It is currently (as of April 2010) being restored to its former glory, though it is still visible. It’s an especially lovely sight when the sun is shining.

The upper section of the garden is accessible by a bridge running over the train tracks. (You can also access it from farther up the hill on Via Trieste.) This section is situated on an incline, and the height offers great views of the city.

As you climb the stairs, take a good look at the dragon fountain made of pieces of glass, stone and bottles. (It brings to mind a similar fountain by Gaudì at the Parc Guëll in Barcelona.) Once you reach the top, you’ll find benches where you can relax and really enjoy the view and the fresh air. This is one of my favorite spots in Florence, so it’s worth the trip to check it out!

The view from the top

Giardino dell’Orticultura (Horticulture Garden)
Address: Via Bolognese near Ponte Rosso
Transportation: #25 bus (from Piazza San Marco to Pratolino) or on foot from Piazza della Libertà

The post Favorite Place in Florence: Free views at the Horticulture Garden appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Take home some cheapo Gaudí

Regarded as tasteless in his own time, Antoni Gaudí’s unique art nouveau ideas are widely celebrated in Barcelona’s architecture today. All over the city, and surrounding his iconic Sagrada Família in Eixample, Gaudí souvenirs abound.

Sure, some of these items are tacky, but tacky will be fun back home! Some of our favorite examples of Gaudí souvenirs include:

• Illustrated brochures and ticket stubs from the Segrada Família
• Gaudí-adorned (and free) napkins from the church’s on-site café
• Postcards of the picturesque Casa Milà and Parc Güell
• Salt and pepper shakers in the shape of Gaudí smokestacks
• Gaudí chess pieces

These are just a few of our favorite Gaudí-themed cheapo souvenirs. You can preview some souvenirs here, but know that you’ll be able to find cheaper versions from street vendors.

While you’re at it…

As long as one is in the barrio, we suggest picking up free hand-outs from museums showing off any of the city’s modern style. The Picasso Museum in Old Town and the Museum of Chocolate San Pere Born are both good places to find stylish brochures.

Editor’s Note: This is our third post in our “Cheapo Souvenirs” blog series. Join us over the next four weeks as we suggest one cheap or free souvenir to bring home from each city we cover on EuroCheapo. Do you have a suggestion for another cheap souvenir in Barcelona? A favorite Gaudí souvenir? Leave a comment below!

The post Barcelona cheap souvenir: Gaudí for less appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.