Matt
Barcelona is located on the northeastern coast of Spain and is famous for its stunning architecture, nightlife, and favored sports teams. If you are planning a trip to Spain, then Barcelona is a must-visit.
Here in this amazing city, not only can you find some of the best luxury hotels, but you can also find the tastiest local cuisine. Once you’re in this Spanish paradise , you might find yourself searching for the best places to wind down and enjoy the gorgeous scenery. That’s where Barcelona parks come in.
One thing that might not be on everyone’s radar is the abundance of beautiful parks located throughout the city. So, keep reading to discover 12 of the best parks in Barcelona and the wonders of these scenic locations.
12 Barcelona Parks
Let’s take a look at 12 of the best and most famous parks in Barcelona, each with its unique attractions.
Parc de la Ciutadella (Citadel Park, Barcelona)
Citadel Park, or Parc de la Ciutadella, is one of the largest and most stunning parks in all of Barcelona. Here, you can enjoy a classic picnic on the luscious green landscape while the fountains all around you mist the air. Several statues are spread throughout the park, which creates an elegant and picturesque look.
Activities that you could consider include a boat ride across the vast lake or taking a walk to a large waterfall that graces the scene. If the photo-worthy scenery of the outdoors is still not enough, Citadel Park offers many indoor attractions.
These include a zoo, the parliament buildings of Catalonia, the famous Gaudi Fountain, Barcelona, as well as the Barcelona Museum of Zoology, and several marvelous statues throughout the park.
Parc del Laberint d’Horta (Horta Labyrinth Park)
The next park on the list is one that has only recently gained traction and popularity, even among locals. Horta Labyrinth Park, Barcelona, is one of the oldest existing parks in the city and is famous for its lovely pavilion and the medieval Torre Sobirana defense tower.
Walking around this park, you will find greenery as far as the eye can see, as well as tranquil ponds and wildlife throughout. This means it is the perfect place for calming walks with the family or your pets.
The main attraction, however, is the large maze at the park’s center – hence the name. The Labyrinth park maze was featured in a popular film, Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. So, while you’re taking a stroll through the park, you can take a trip through the maze and enjoy the beauty of the movie’s location.
Parc de Güell (Güell Park)
For a different and unique park experience, you’ll definitely want to check out Park Güell. Unlike other parks in Barcelona, this one is famous for its vast and intricate mosaic-tiled paths and buildings. The main attraction for any visitor has to be the modern art style of the architecture in the surrounding area.
Don’t worry; there are still plenty of trees and grassy areas for you to enjoy for all kinds of recreational activities. Rest areas allow you to take a break or even have a picnic while kids can play in the open areas.
Throughout the park, you can also find some fantastic pieces of artwork that are sure to impress art lovers and photographers alike.
Warning: While residents of surrounding areas have free access to the park, tourists are still required to pay an entrance fee.
Parc de Aigües (Aigües Park)
Located in the Guinardo district of Barcelona, Parc de Les Aigües, or Aigües Park, offers a more traditional park experience. Entry into this park is free, so there is an added bonus. Here, you can enjoy classic park activities like a picnic with family, walking the dog, or letting the children have fun on one of the several playgrounds.
This park offers a variety of locations and amenities, including a public library for you to relax with a good book and various sports courts for sports lovers.
In addition to these fun recreational activities, Aigües Park also offers a touching memorial to commemorate the victims of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan.
Parc de Cervantes (Cervantes Park)
Parc de Cervantes, or Cervantes Park, is situated in the Pedralbes neighborhood of Barcelona. Cervantes Park has become popular for its stunning and beautiful display of colorful roses and flowers across the green landscape. This park has thousands of roses and other plants blooming between May and July, making it potentially the best garden in Barcelona.
Within the confines of this park also lies a small open-air museum for you to enjoy, as well as a special section dedicated to the Cervantes Rose Garden. And like any park, there are also plenty of green and grassy areas for you to enjoy your favorite recreational activities, like jogging, cycling, picnics, and more.
Parc de Turó de la Peira (Turó de la Peira Park)
Located in the Turó de la Peira district of Barcelona, this park offers a cozy, tree-covered area for relaxing and enjoying the beauty that nature has to offer. The leafy pine trees offer ample cover and shade to enjoy a calm walk out of direct sunlight.
Once you climb the stone steps to the top of the hill, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of Barcelona beneath. With plenty of resting places, grassy areas, and playgrounds, this Barcelona park is the perfect place for a day out with the family.
El Parc del Centre del Poblenou (Poblenou Central Park)
Parc del Centre del Poblenou, or Poblenou Central Park, is located around the Diagonal Mar neighborhood in Barcelona. Surrounded by gorgeous plants and new, modern architecture, this park is a great place for both relaxation and play.
The main attraction of this park includes the Plaça de la Sardana, at the center of the park. This colorful, spiral path leads down into a small concrete seating area, still surrounded by luscious plants and flowers. The purple flowers and spiral center also provide epic photo-worthy scenes.
This park is also a testament to environmental preservation, with a refuse collection plant in the park’s vicinity.
Parc de Montjuïc (Montjuïc Park)
Parc de Montjuïc, also known as Montjuïc Park, is located on a large hill and is home to a plethora of activities and attractions to enjoy. Once hosting the 1992 Olympic Games, this park has since undergone large renovations and has slowly grown in its modern and innovative design.
One of the central features of this park is the impressive Olympic Ring, which showcases the legacy of the Olympic games. Apart from this, this park is also home to several historical and art museums, as well as a theater and several fountains throughout.
Quick tip: Visit the park late in the afternoon or at night time, to catch a glimpse of the incredible fountain and light display.
Parc de l’Espanya Industrial (Espanya Industrial Park)
Also known as Parc de l’Espanya Industrial, this park is surrounded by a lake and offers a unique and architecturally stunning space. Nine lighthouses are situated along the vast steps across the park, with small island spaces to rest and enjoy the scenery.
On the other side of the park lies the Espanya Industrial sports center, including a large grassy area for your typical sports and recreational activities. This makes it a great place to relax, picnics, sports and more, for adults and children alike.
If that isn’t enough to impress, the center of this park includes large metal sculptures for an innovative and eye-catching scene.
Parc del Guinardó (Guinardó Park)
Parc del Guinardó offers a variety of locations and features, including three separate sections that it’s divided into. The first includes an urban park, like a typical park you might expect. The grassy landscape and area are perfect for families and friends to enjoy playing sports and other activities.
The second area showcases a historical garden with an impressive water feature specifically designed to flow through various channels and pools.
Finally, the third area is dominated by a vast forest of pine, oak, and cedar trees, with a path leading up to the impressive Mitja Lluna viewpoint, where you can view the city around you.
Parc de Collserola (Collserola Park)
Also known as the “green lung” of Barcelona, Collserola Park offers a vast woodland landscape, including a natural park filled with flowers and plants of all varieties. With over 8000 hectares of the protected natural landscape, this park offers some incredible environmental benefits, including diverse wildlife.
The Carretera de les Aigües, and many other viewing points built throughout the park, offer great views of the natural environment and city surrounding it. In addition to this, there is also a small museum where you can learn more about the wildlife and plants in the park.
Parc de la Creueta del Coll (Creueta del Coll Park)
Parc de la Creuta del Coll is popular for having one of the largest public swimming pools in Barcelona. This large area is perfect for those who want to enjoy a cooling swim during the hot days in the city.
With plenty to offer, like ping-pong tables and picnic areas, this park makes the perfect place for both adults and children to enjoy.
In addition to the recreational activities, this park also houses a central sculpture called “In Praise of Water”, a large claw-shaped sculpture that is suspended over a reflective pool. This offers an extra artistic charm to this relaxing location.
Final Remarks on Parks in Barcelona
Overall, Barcelona has a variety of parks to offer, each with its own unique quirks and features on offer. So, if you’re planning on visiting Barcelona any time soon, these 12 parks are an absolute must-see!
But now that you know more about the best parks in Barcelona, why not read more about some amazing day trips from Barcelona to take your adventures to the next level?
