Barcelona Park Guide: the Best 8 to Visit in 2023

Sometimes it’s not a beach day, and in fact the best parks in Barcelona may make you reconsider the sea – maybe.

Especially in spring and autumn there’s no better urban escape for us locals than heading to a Barceona park – and trust me when I say there’s so much more than just Park Guell.

Here’s a list of top Barcelona parks and gardens, how to get there, and how to make the most of it.

Why Parks in Barcelona?

I’ve always thought that a coastal city like Barcelona didn’t need green spaces.

I mean, the beach is just a darn good substitute that offers all the opportunity in the world to go for a walk, do sport, socialize, and live. Plus, the famous parks in Barcelona just don’t get the kudos like London, Amsterdam, or even my dear hometown of Vancouver.

But Barcelona parks are great in their own right not for grandness, but for originality.

So take an hour or two between the city’s main attractions and delicious restaurants and find yourself some shade in one of the city’s best parks.

For kids or adults or both, here’s my list.

Barcelona Park Guide

1 – Parc de la Ciutadella
2 – Laberint d’Horta
3 – Park Guell
4 – Carretera de les Aigues/Parc de Collserola
5 – Montjuic
6 – Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes
7 – Park Joan Miro
8 – Parc de Cervantes

PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA

This massive garden is Barcelona’s undisputed green lung. In fact since it’s the most important and vibrant public park in the city I’ve got an entire article dedicated to it.

Its name comes from the Catalan word for ‘citadel’ as it was a military fortification built by king Felipe V after the historic September 11th battle when Spain gained control of Catalonia.

It was only in 1869 that the space, part of which was occupied by the Catalonian Parliament, was ceded to the city and transformed into Barcelona’s first public park.

Today Ciutadella Park (“La Ciutadella” as locals call it) offers something for everyone.

There’s the zoo, the massive monumental waterfall, a goose-speckled lake with rowboat rental, and tons of little shady hills where locals go on picnics. There’s also the Zoology Museum and its famous three dragos.

Kids really like the massive mammoth statue that’s just a stone’s throw from the fountain.

If you’re not with kids I recommend coming here loaded with Mediterranean supermarket goodies to make an afternoon meal out of it. You’ll find a ton of improvised shows to see here on a summer day.

You’ll also find various concession stands selling food, drinks, and ice cream.

Hours and Directions

Cituadella Park is open from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm.

You can get to Ciutadella park with the Ciutadella metro (yellow line L4) or Arc de Triomf (red line L1). If you’re staying anywhere in the bohemian Born District it’s a brisk 10 minute walk.

It’s also only 15 minutes from Barceloneta and its famous beaches.

LABERINT D’HORTA

If you’re familiar with the film Labyrinth or have ever had the strange desire to get lost in a maze then this park is for you.

It’s the most original park in Barcelona as well as the oldest. The vegetation here is spectacular and you’ll find all sorts of hidden treasures along the way.

Aside from its lively cypress tree maze there are some majestic camellia trees, a neoclassical pavilion, and even a little canal that’s one of the great Barcelona romance spots.

Here you’ll also find a play area for children.

You cannot enter with pets.

Hours and Directions

The park is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm (Apr 1st – Oct 31st), and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (Nov 1st – March 31st).

The address is Pg Castanyers 1 and you can get to Laberint d’Horta with the Mundet metro (green line L3)

Passes

Save up to €30 on your Barcelona holiday right from the couch.

Get more info

Laberint D’Horta Prices

Twice a week you’re offered one of the great free things to do in Barcelona on Wednesday and Sunday.

All other days a small fee is charged at the following rates:

• Adults: €2.23.
• Reduced (kids, students, senior, disabled): €1.42.
• Groups of 15+: 15% off.
• Kids under 5: free.

The park is closed on Christmas Day.

For more information consult the Laberint d’Horta website.

PARK GÜELL

Does this name ring a bell?

Very likely, yes. We’re talking about one of the greatest symbols of the city and one of Europe’s largest tourist attractions. Here it’s pure Catalan Modernism and who’s behind all of it? Antoni Gaudi of course.

Park Guell is currently divided into two parts.

The first is the ‘Monumental Zone‘ and its massive mosaic benches, two huge pavilions, extravagant staircase, salamander sculpture, and the old porter’s lodge that looks like something out of Hanzel and Gretel. To visit these you’re going to need to pay €7.00 and I’ve got more info on that in my article on Park Guell.

This article though is about free green space, which Park Guell has in spades. The ‘Free Zone‘ is the top of natural attractions in Barcelona with its never-ending garden moving up the mountainside, with the odd mansion or peculiar sculpture to greet you on the way up.

I suggest going all the way to the three crosses for an amazing view. If you’re not eating at any of Barcelona’s best restaurant here’s another tip: grab some fresh herbs here for the dinner you’re cooking at your holiday apartment!

In the park you’ll find a bar with snacks which are overpriced – bring your own to save money.

Hours and Directions

Park Guell is open from 8:00 am to 6:30 pm (low season) or 9:30 pm (high season).

You can get to Park Guell with the Lesseps metro station (green line L3) or get off at the Park Guell Bus Turistic stop, part of the Barcelona hop on hop off network.

Attraction tickets

Buy your tickets in advance from home or risk long lines + bigger prices.

Reserve my attractions

CARRETERA DE LES AIGUES/PARC DE COLLSEROLA

If you’re one to rent a bike or go for a big run through unspoiled Barcelona nature then this is your choice.

The splendid Carretera de les Aigues is found one of the natural parks in Barcelona: Collserola. It’s a 10 km long trail in the upper portion of the city.

The route is more or less flat but at 450 meters above the city you’ll have an incredible view of the city. A great place for exercise with a picnic reward, an escape from the chaos of the city, or a hangover reprieve.

And it’s easily reachable from the city by bus.

Hours and Directions

As it is a ‘wild’ park there are no opening hours.

You can arrive at Collserola using many different means on the Barcelona transport network but I recommend taking the legendary Tramvia Blau – this antique wooden tram found at the Plaça Kennedy train stop (L7) will take you to Plaza del Doctor Andreu.

From here it’s a short walk.

Make sure you bring a lot of water and a snack because there are no services.

MONTJUIC

OK, so it’s not really a park as much as it is a massive urban hill.

Explore this magnificent mound of rock by bicycle or on foot. Together with Collserola this is another great urban escape that offers wild forest, tamed gardens, panoramic views, a castle, a stadium, and even a few of the city’s coolest bars.

One place to explore is the massive outdoor sculpture exhibition right beside the museum dedicated to the grand Catalan artist Joan Miró: the Miró Foundation (Avenida Miramar 1, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm daily).

Another great place to explore are the Jardines del Teatre Grec (‘Greek Gardens’) and its famous Greek amphitheater on Passeig de Santa Madrona. While it’s only a replica of a Greek theater nobody cares so much in the summer when it’s filled with concerts and all sorts of events.

The garden and surroundings also give an amazing panoramic view – another piece of advice for couples.

If you’re heading up Montjuic and you want a little break then I suggest the bar La Caseta del Migdia, a little bar in the forest looking over the Barcelona port. On Wednesday nights they organize a sardine BBQ with reggae music.

Hours and Directions

The easiest way to get to Montjuic is taking the funicular at Paral-lel metro station. You can also grab bus 150 from Plaza de España.

As there many attractions in the park hours may vary, for more in depth information make sure you read my article on Montjuic.

JARDINS DEL PALAU REIAL DE PEDRALBES

Speakers of any romance language may get this one just from the name. They’re the gardens of the Royal Palace and certainly the most ‘regal of my list of best parks in Barcelona.

This park was constructed around Alfonso XIII’s old residence and today it holds the Museu de les Arts Decoratives.

It’s a beautiful spot full of bouganville flower bushes and an ideal spot to daydream and transport yourself to another time. For those paying attention to detail keep your eyes peeled for two Gaudi works: a pergola and a fountain with the bust of Hercules.

Hours and Directions

The park is open at the following times:

• April 1st to October 31st: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
• November 1st to March 31st: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

You can get to Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes using the Palau Reial metro stop (green line L3).

PARC JOAN MIRO

The curious art of Joan Miró really comes alive when you see the centre-piece statue of this park.

“Dona i Ocell” (Woman and Bird) rises 33 meters above the two massive lawns and the maze-like paths with shadowy picnic benches filled with old people chatting the day away.

It’s right behind one of Barcelona’s best shopping options and the only one that’s situated in an ex-bullfighting ring: Las Arenas.

On of the best parks to visit in Barcelona for a quick sit down after sightseeing. There are nice bike paths here, a basketball court, and even a bocce spot (locals call their version ‘petanque’). On sunny days you’ll also find a small library with books for both kids and adults

You’ll also see locals using the park for dog walks and runs, so get involved or get out of the way!

Hours and Directions

The park is open from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm daily.

You can get to Parc Joan Miro using the Tarragona (red line L1) or Espanya (red line L1 or green line L3) metro stations.

Paella Club

Reserve your apron at Barcelona’s five star paella cooking class with no money down.

Find out more

PARC DE CERVANTES

Of all Barcelona parks and gardens this is the one that surprised me the most, and it’s not because it had a maze, was designed by a famous architect, or left me speechless with an amazing sunset view.

It’s because of the 245 varieties of roses.

Here you’ll find endless bunches of roses of pretty much any shape or colour imaginable. It’s a real treat for the eyes and the nose. If you happen to visit the city in May you’ll see over 150,000 roses in bloom. You may also be able to attend the international competition which gives prizes for the best new ‘breed’ of rose.

So go for a walk or a bike ride, put down a blanket and cuddle up with a book… if you want pure relax you’re not going to want to leave.

Hours and Directions

Cervantes Park is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm (summer) and to 8:00 pm (winter).

You can get to Parc de Cervantes using the Zona Universitaria (green line L3) metro station.

Still Looking for the Best Parks in Barcelona?

You’ve got the master list of top parks to visit in Barcelona but maybe I’ve missed something? If you’ve got any comments or questions about anything regarding your Barcelona holiday don’t be shy.

Happy travels 🙂