Barcelona Parks and Gardens

Park Güell

Güell park, designed by Antonio Gaudí is the most famous park in Barcelona, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It has been subject to all types of praise and criticism, including comments such as "outrageous modernism", "surrealistic island", "nightmare expressionist park". First conceived as a private estate, it became a public park in 1922. The main entrance to the park and the stairway leading to the Hundred Columns Room are structures where Gaudí clearly let his imagination run free.
How to go: Access: Buses 24, 25, 31, 32 and 74.

Park de la Ciudadella:

You may like to go for a stroll afterwards in one of the big parks. The largest and most beautiful of all Barcelona's parks is the Retiro. It has 130 hectares of woodland which form a green, tree-clad (more than 15.000 trees) island in the middle of an asphalt sea. One may enter it through any of the fine gateways. These are located in the Plaza de la Independencia, the Calle de Alcalá, the Calle de O'Donnell, and the Calle de Alfonso XII. White stone figures of the Kings and Queen of Spain peep out from the avenues of lofty tees and thick bushes, and just inside the park there is a large artificial lake where rowing-boats can be hired. The park also has its rose garden, as well as the Cecilio Rodríguez gardens and many delightful secluded nooks where strollers can enjoy a little privacy. In the middle of the park there are two buildings known as the Palacio de Velázquez and Palacio de Cristal, where art exhibitions are sometimes held.

How to go: Metro: Line 1 (Arc de Triomf) and Line 4. (Barceloneta or Ciutadella)

Park Laberint:

Labyrinth park was built in 1791 on different levels with stairways, pavilions and richly ornamented railings. Adorning the gardens are various statues of mythological figures.

How to go: Metro: Line 3 (Montbau).

Park Guinardó

Guinardó park clearly resembles a forest and has an intricate topography oriented towards the four cardinal points.
How to go: Metro: Line 4 (Guinardó)
Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes:
The gardens of the Pedralbes Royal Palace form a geometrically designed classical-style park with lovely flower beds and large trees from the original royal estate.
How to go: Metro: Line 3 (Palau Reial)

Park Espanya Industrial

The Spanish Industrial park, located on the west side of Estació de Sants, offers us two different aspects: one charming and one industrial.

How to go: Metro: Lines 3 and 5 (Estació Sants)

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On the hill of Montjuïc, two parks offer a delighful change of pace: the Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera, with 150 varieties of cacti of American origin and more than 200 varieties of succulent plants; and the Jardins Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer, where more than 100,000 plants bloom throughout the year.

METROPOLITAN PARK OF COLLSEROLA

The Metropolitan park of Collserola preserves a good example of the Mediterranean forests of pine and oak trees. Spectacular fields of rockrose, heather and broom can also be found on the sunny slopes. Two of the most interesting sights are the Hermitage of Sant Medir and the Natural Reserve of Font Groga.
Tourist information: Patronato Metropolitano del Parc de Collserola, Carretera de l'Església, 92. Barcelona.
Telephone: 93 2803552

MONTSENY NATURAL PARK

Forty kilometers from Barcelona, this natural park is the only one in Catalonia declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Holm oak, cork oak, oak, beech and pine groves are found here. In the woods it is possible to see boars, genets, dormice, a large variety of birds, including birds of prey. Access by A-7 highway Barcelona-La Jonquera, exit Sant Celoni-Montseny. From here take BV-5114 road from Sant Celoni to Viladrau via Sant Fe del Montsseny. Natural park service of Barcelona.
Tourist Information: Natural Park service of Barcelona. Comte d'Urgell, 187, Barcelona.
Telephone: 93 4022884
Can Martina Information (at Park). Telephone: 93 8475051

NATURAL PARK OF SANT LLORENÇ DEL MUNT I DE LA SERRA D'OBAC

Forty kilometers from Barcelona, this park is a mountainous area with spectacular crags and rocks. There are more than 1,000 varieties of plants, including rosemary, rockrose, heather and white pine groves. In the interior, mountain oak, maple oaks and other types of trees are found, and in the springtime primrose and violets are in bloom. Thriving on the highest areas of the cliffs, we find interesting rupicolous vegetation. Boars, genets and a large variety of birds, birds of prey, inhabit the park. Accessed from Barcelona by A-18 highway to Terrassa. From there, the Talamanca roads goes up the Estenalles pass, where you can visit Montcau, the second higest peak in the park.
Tourist Information: Centre d'Interpretació del coll d'Estenalles. Terrassa to Talamanca road.
Telephone: 93 8317300

Other parks

- Jardins i roserar de Cervantes.
- Park Clot.
- Park Estació del Nord.
- Park Joan Miró.