Near the entry is a double staircase leading up to the 100-columnded chamber (only 84 were erected) where the market was supposed to take place. Between the two staircases is the multicolored mosaic-dragon that has become symbol for Gaudí's Barcelona.

Above the column-chamber is the large main square, bordered by the undulating bench covered with mosaics, turning the bench into a massive Impressionist collection. These are the main points of interest in the park, that is a popular place for Barcelonean families to take their Sunday afternoon stroll.

Once referred to as a failure, it has become an UNESCO World Heritage Treasure. Envisioned as a utopian, private residential enclave, it became a city park for the public. Just a few houses were built here, one lived in by Gaudi prior to moving into his studio in Sagrada Familia -- it is now the Casa-Museu Gaudi. Gaudi’s fancy, fun and whim are ever present in their natural surroundings with the sun dancing on the colorful mosaics of glass and tile that make up his fountains, benches, columns.

If you go, take the metro but do NOT follow the street signs when you exit the station. The signs are for vehicular traffic and take you by the longest route imaginable up the backside of the hill. Instead, follow your map and you'll end up at the entrance where the small Gaudi houses sit on either side of the gate, and a large mosaic lizard sculpture fountain trickles water over mossy stones.

Park Guell was commissioned by Eusebi Guell, the well-known patron of several of Gaudi's notable projects. In 1900, the original concept of the plan was as a residential garden city where the private homeowners would share common facilities like a market, paved streets and public squares. In the beginning, this hilly site atop Muntanya Pelada was rather isolated from the central city (it is at the northern edge of the current Gracia neighborhood, still a bit of a hike from central Barcelona). This perceived isolation was one reason why the park was deemed a failure when it was completed in 1914. Only two houses were ever built in the park, one of which was occupied by Gaudi himself for a number of years and is now the aptly named Casa-Museu Gaudi. Park Guell officially became a public city park in 1923.

There are various ways to approach Park Guell. Perhaps the most appropriate is along the Carrer d'Olot through the main gate, which is flanked by two buildings. The name of the park is spelled out on boldly colorful medallions. From here you can go uphill and follow the natural procession. As you climb the flowing central stairway, meet and greet the lizard beast with colorful scaly mosaics embedded in its surface. At the top of the stairs, there is a classical colonnade with doric-style columns supporting a flowing roof which doubles as a magnificent lookout terrace. Here you will notice the remarkable serpentine park bench, which is said to be the longest bench in the world (who measures these things?). Wander a bit and you will encounter a bizarre cave-like stone colonnade with sloping columns that look like rough palm trees, as if they were outcasts from a certain animated Flintstonian city. You can also enter through other gates and visit the park from top to bottom. However you enter, once you are within the confines of the park and Gaudi's vivid imagination, it did not seem appropriate to restrict myself to any given path because the park is so freely designed. Just meander around and enjoy the gaudy Gaudi show. This urban park is a fantasyland of wild elements, rich in imaginative details and spaces, shiny and rugged, a twisted blend of nature and architecture that will amaze and amuse.

The Casa-Museu Gaudi was the home for Gaudi for many years before he moved permanently into his studio-home at Sagrada Familia. Visiting the museum is more for hardcore fans of Gaudi. There is a garden and a arched pergola outside of the house. I find that your time can be better spent discovering interesting details of the park or surveying the city from its prominent hilltop location.

This is a Gaudi apartment building. The metro drops you off about a 15 minute walk from the building. Make sure you don't miss The Manzana De La Discordia, or the block of dischord, which refers to the stylistic clashes of three neighbouring buildings. It's on your way. Casa Mila itself is spectacular - there isn't a square corner anywhere. It's amazing to see such a huge work of art right in the middle of such a normal looking city block. The tour will take you to the rooftop, where the chimneys are fantastic.

Palau Guell Not Gaudi'ed out yet? Try this building just off Las Ramblas. Tours take you through the house with some of the best Gaudi interiors we saw, as well as some more of his famous chimneys. There is fantastic steelwork at the entrance to this building, that was specially designed to let people see out, but not in.

Our guidebook recommended we enter from the rear of the park, which was a great idea. There is a series of outdoor escalators which take you up the hill from Baixada de la Gloria. And don't worry, the escalators aren't broken, they turn on when you step on them. (It gave us quite a fright when we saw this line of escalators stretching to infinity, all seemingly broken!)

Getting back from Parc Guell to downtown involves about a 20-30 minute walk to the metro, but there's lots of taxis. Returning from our second trip we got a taxi to take us just as far as the metro - this proved very cheap and saved us a lot of time. The walk isn't so pretty, either.