Parks in Barcelona

Barcelona provides an ideal getaway for a long weekend: a city full of life and culture, a complete change of scenery and, with low-cost airlines such as Monarch offering cheap flights to Barcelona, it needn’t cost an arm and a leg.   Although the Catalan capital may well be known as a party town, it is also home to a number of beautiful parks – idyllic to stroll around on a hot summer’s day, or to recline in the shade, recovering from a hard night’s fiesta.

Park Guell: designed by the Barcelona’s most famous architect, Gaudi, Park Guell ranks among the city’s top sights.  It was named after Gaudi’s patron, Count Eusebi Güell, for whom it was originally built as a sort of commune, but the project for a community of wealthy city-dwellers fell through, and the city bought the space in 1922, to be used as a public park.  The park is full of wonders in the shapes of mosaics, benches and fountains but it is best to let visitors discover these for themselves, as well as the spectacular views of the city rooftops.

Citaduella park: started its life as a military fortress before being taken over for the 1888 Universal exhibition.  The park now contains the zoology museum, as well as Barcelona’s zoo.  On Sundays, you will find plenty of bohemian types playing guitars and drums, and if you’re feeling brave you could join in the occasional improvised dancing.

Park Collsera: ideal for jogging, walking or cycling, this park also contains medieval ruins, Romanesque churches and old country houses.  You could also go there for a bite with friends: there are plenty of places to eat in the park in the hilly heart of the Zona Alta.

Montjuic park: overlooks the harbour from a height of 173 metres, at its peak.  It was the site of 18th century fortifications which remain standing to this day, the Castell d Montjuic, and it also holds a museum full of Miro paintings and sculptures.  With its picnic areas and playgrounds, it is a perfect family destination.