While staying in Barcelona, it is imperative to spend half of a day at the Park Güell. Park Güell is a stunning example of architecture by Antonio Gaudi and is a fascinating contrast to his masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia cathedral. Park Güell is a great place to visit, both for people watching and for exploring the sprawling marvels of the park. It was built from 1900 through 1914 and was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, only later turned into a municipal park.

You can spend hours exploring the buildings (and museum), the stone structures and sculptures, and admiring the intricate and colorful tiling. Many days you can find a local musician sitting among the columns and performing under the roof of the lower court, which has great acoustics. If the weather is lovely, as it often is in Barcelona, take a picnic lunch and spend hours soaking in the good vibe and views from the upper terraced area (you can see the Sagrada Familia, as you can much of the city from here).

There is a masterfully designed serpentine, tiled bench that provides seating, perfect for eating, lounging, enjoying the view and taking pictures. The bench is amazingly designed so that you can sit rather close to other park visitors yet feel as if you have the bench to yourself. You can reach the park by taxi, bus or metro (if you take the metro, be prepared for a short but steep walk; the buses drop you right in front). The park entrance is free (it costs to go in the Gaudi house which contains furniture that Gaudi designed) and the park is open daily from 10am-9pm. Park Güell is a fantastic example of the beauty of Barcelona- relaxed, friendly atmosphere coupled with wondrous architecture.