Palau Reial – Pavellons Güell stop

A Royal Palace guarded by an iron dragon

On its descent down Avinguda de Pedralbes the Blue Route goes past the magnificent dragon that guards the Güell pavilions before stopping at Palau Reial – Pavellons Güell, from where you can visit the enclosure of the palace with its pavilions and gardens, and Cervantes Park.

The palace is a four-storey building with a Noucentista facade that was remodelled when Eusebi Güell ceded his property to serve as the royal residence in Barcelona. Inside, it is worth viewing its decoration, furniture and the bedroom used by King Alfonso XIII, while outside you can stroll through the extensive gardens designed by Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí, which are organised around the large central pond with a sculpture by Eulàlia Fàbregas.

But without doubt, the most original element of the complex is the side entrance to the enclosure, which is guarded by a magnificent iron dragon with glass eyes designed by Antoni Gaudí, who was also responsible for the colourful pavilions at the entrance and the stables.

If you want to continue your walk, at the end of Avinguda Diagonal you can enter Cervantes Park, a lush open space with an enormous rose garden with varieties from America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.