Parc Güell
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Barcelona is Parc Güell, which was designed by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí as a private park for the successful industrialist, Eusebi Güell. A few years after it was opened it was turned into a public park. Now with an increase in tourism in Barcelona, parts of the park have become private again, which includes the iconic mosaic bench and wall that overlooks the city, the iguana fountain, and the main entrance. This area, called the Monumental Zone, costs €7 and one must register for a specific time frame in which they can enter this part of the park, although it is possible to stay as long as one pleases. The privatized area of the park is less than half of the park, however I think that all parks should be public. One day when I was walking down Las Ramblas there was a protest against tourism in Barcelona and one of the signs was expressing how the citizens are upset that Parc Güell costs money, even for locals. While the rest of the park is enjoyable and still has some of Gaudí's structures, nothing can compare to the part restricted for ticket holders.
Regardless of my gripe paying for a park, I still enjoyed my time spent there. Audrey, Otilia and I had signed up for the IES excursion to Parc Güell, but after a long night at George Payne and Dow Jones, we decided to sleep in and purchase our own tickets for a later time. We were glad we decided to go later because by that time in the late afternoon the clouds had cleared and we stayed for the sunset.