A highly recommendable leisure activity to do in Barcelona is to visit the green areas that can be found around the city. The wealth and variety of parks and gardens allow you to disconnect from the frenetic rush of the capital and take a break from enjoying nature at its best.
At Hotel Arc la Rambla we have selected the 5 most charming natural parks in Barcelona so that you can enjoy discovering the city through a healthy experience.
Below you can find the main characteristics of each of the parks and gardens so that you can organize a tour to your liking:
Parc de Montjuic
The Parc de Montjuic is one of the most emblematic places in Barcelona. This immense park stands out for its beauty, its location and its history. As it is a large area, tourists can find all kinds of leisure activities: museums, tours, restaurants and outdoor activities.
At Hotel Arc La Rambla we recommend that, in order to discover every corner of Montjuic, you dedicate a whole day to visiting the most important sites such as the Olympic Ring, the Fundació Miró, the Archaeology Museum and the most significant attraction: the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya-MNAC.
Park Güell
One of the most popular parks in the city is the Park Güell. With over 17 hectares it is located at the bottom of the Sierra de Collserola and is a place that is enjoyed by all people.
Among its gardens we can find architectural elements by Gaudí, from his naturalist period of the first decade of the 20th century. The project of the park was developed between Güell and Gaudí as a complex that would house high standing houses, and at the same time, integrate symbolic elements of the time. Finally the option of the houses was rejected and it was redesigned to be a meeting place for associations and a centre for various events and celebrations.
The park is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and is considered one of the greatest exponents of modernism.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Located next to Arc de Triomf, this park houses a representation of the history, art and architecture of Barcelona. Besides, if you look closely during your visit, you will notice that all over its area there are many different types of trees and bushes from all over the world.
The park was built on the land where Felipe V ordered the construction of a military citadel to guard Barcelona in the early 17th century. In 1869, General Prim handed over the Citadel in order to have the support of Barcelona’s bourgeoisie. The agreement determined that this space should be devoted to a public park, and so the fortress was demolished.
Today it is one of the corners of Barcelona that receives more visits due to its exceptional location and also because of the great amount of leisure options that can be found during the day.
Parc del Laberint d’Horta
The oldest garden in the city is located in the Parc del Laberint d’Horta. Located in the Horta-Guinardó district, the park was designed by the Italian architect Domenico Bagutti at the end of the 18th century.
In the different spaces of the park we can find numerous sculptures, ponds and fountains from different historical periods. In relation to gardening, the park stands out for its impressive labyrinth, made from cut-out cypresses and following a design inspired by the Neoclassical and Romantic.
Jardins Palau Reial Pedralbes
Finally we want to talk to you about these stately gardens. This park has its origin in a property of the Güell family that was given at the beginning of the 20th century for the construction of a residence for the royal family.
In the gardens we can find unusual species, from groups of Asian flowers to Atlas or Himalayan cedars. We can also find art and architecture from different periods, such as the pond at the entrance of the enclosure (1962), The Hercules of stone and wrought iron by Antoni Gaudí (1884) or a bronze statue by Enric Casanovas (1930).
