The Original Barcelona Parks Guide
Barcelona can be hot, chaotic and frenzied. This guide will locate you the top spots in town to take a breath, away from streets and buildings. Unlike many European cities, Barcelona’s parks aren’t typically dull or stuffy – the simply must-see sights tend to be some of the parks.
Possibly the most famous of Barcelona’s parks, Antoni Gaudí’s Parc Güell contains the most iconic images of Barcelona and Catalonia. The mosaics that cover benches that look out on the whole city and the iconic lizard statues; replicas of the latter which can be found in any money-making tourist shacks, pull in were a million amateur self-stick photographers with WGO-pro’s. Bizarre statues, paths and arches show one of the greatest minds of the Spanish History, whose work has influenced the modern image of Barcelona more than anyone. Although Parc Güell is definitely a to visit place with stunning views of the city, it will be overhyped in high season.
Located some distance removed from most of the city’s major draws and bustling areas at the foot of the Collserolla Mountains, Parc Del Laberint is a more serene and peaceful jewel. The most novel aspect of the gardens is the ‘labyrinth,’ an imposing hedge maze and this feature is what gives the park its name. The first park of its sort in the city, it was artistically landscaped within its woodland area for centuries long ago, so it is among the most genuinely lovely and romantic places in the city.
Parc de la Cuitadella is a lovely, parkey oasis close to Arc De Triomf and historic El Born sector of city. Palms are set around a boating lake, and a massive waterfall is draped by Roman statues and fountains. There is even a woolly mammoth. The Barcelona Zoo is made up of the lower part of the park, while the Eastern side of the park is dominated by the building of the Catalan Parliament. In the summer it is crowded full of musicians, bubble-blowers and the occasional shady figure peddling majitos from a tray in plastic cups. Cuitadella is like theinode life and charm than any other park in barcellona.
As you cross over a wooden boardwalk across calm water on yourself step into Jardi Botanic, you feel that you have discovered something special. About 1,500 plant species have been chosen for the gardens from all over the world where they would grow in a similar climate to the Mediterranean. Open since 1999, this a relatively recent acquisition for Barcelona’s green list. Its location on the southern slope of Montjuic – a famous hill looking out over the Barcelona metropolis – makes it an great look out point from which to take in the city. Besides being a public space, in Jardi Botanic also persists as a conservator mission, and counts with the support of the Institute of Botany.
An open, modern and pleasant area, the Parc de Joan Miro is adjacent to extravagant Placa Espanya. It is located in the midst of glass towers, artificial streams and abstract statues – that bring the area a lot more modern than a great deal of Barcelona’s a lot more historic parks.
Set on one of the steeper corners of the worthwhile Montjuic, the Jardins de Laribal is directly beside the Joan Miro Foundation. Although very close of one of the cities’ most prominent Tourist attractions, these gardens are surprisingly quiet as they are very easy to miss because of – buried in the hill – and not very often noted as one of the standard places to visit. Waterfalls drop through the park, complete with mosaics, miniature hedges and plenty of sculptures. There are arched concrete canopies, leafy ways which offer the shade you so desperately need on sweltering summer days.
The Rose Garden within the Parc de Cervantes i Roserar has over ten thousand roses – hundreds of varieties are on display. Each year in May a rose contest takes place, international contestants present their newest roses. Even if you are not rose enthusiast these parks are very nice to visit They are set close to the Zona Universitària metro station at the top edge of the Diagonal which makes this a well-liked student hotspot for sunbathing. These gardens seem to be shielded from the urban sprawl of Barcelona.
