Barcelona City

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  Ceiling at Parc Guell

Parc Guell is where Gaudi turned his hand to landscape gardening and where than the natural. Parc Guell originated in 1900 when Count Eusebi Guell bought a hillside property (then outside Barcelona) and hired Gaudi to create a miniature garden city of houses for the wealthy. The project was abandoned in 1914, but no before Gaudi had created 3km of roadas and walks, steps and a plaza in his inimitable manner, plus the two gatehouses. In 1922 the city bought the estate for use as a public park.

The steps up from the entrance, guarded by a mosaic dragon/lizard, lead to the Sala Hipostila, a forest of 84 stone columns (some of them leaning), intended as a market. On top of the Sala Hipostila is a broad open space whose highlight is the Banc de Trencadis, a tiled bench curving sinuously around its perimeter.

The spired house to the right is the Casa Museu Gaudi (93 219 38 11; admission €3; open 10am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun May-Sept; 10am-7pm Mon-Sat, 10am 2pm Sun Mar, Apr & Oct; 10am-6pm Mon-Sat, 10am-2pm Sun Nov-Feb), where Gaudi lived for most of his last 20 years (1906-26). It contains furniture by him and other memorabilia.

Much of the park is still wooded but full of pathways. The best views are from the cross-topped Turo del Calvari in the south-western corner. The simplest way to Parc Guell is to take the metro to Lesseps, then walk for 10 to 15 minutes: follow the signs northeast along Travessera de Dalt then left up Carrer de Larrard, which brings you almost to the park's two Hansel and Gretel-style gatehouses on Carrer d'Olot.