When you think of Barcelona, you think of awe-inspiring Gaudí architecture, cobblestone streets that lead to intimate corners, a colorful and liberal society that welcomes everyone, and a stunning coast that embraces the spirit of the Mediterranean. The energy and vibe in the Catalan capital are unlike any other, but at times, you just want to escape it all. Barcelona still is a bustling metropolis, after all, and there will be moments where you'll want to retreat to somewhere peaceful, serene, but still beautiful. Perhaps a visit to the city's gardens and parks would suffice? Especially if you choose to go to these ones!
Park Guëll
While there are many parks in the Catalan capital, none hold a candle to Park Guëll with its fame. For many who have yet to visit Barcelona themselves, this particular area is what they see first, be it online, in publications,
on Instagram, and more. Of course, the city has Antoni Gaudí to thank for that. Without his mosaic artworks, Park Guëll is basically a barren patch of land. It still offers amazing views of the city, but it doesn't have as much botanical bliss as all the other parks on this list.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Parc de la Ciutadella
With over 17 hectares on offer, Parc de la Ciutadella spans many
neighborhoods in Barcelona. This makes it one of the biggest of its kind in the city, not to mention the widely regarded 'main park' of the Catalan capital. You can compare its role to Barcelona to that of
Central Park to New York. This is the go-to place for both locals and tourists alike to relax, have fun, and spend time with their loved ones. It also houses the Barcelona Zoo, a great place to visit with kids when you have some free time. And of course, let's not forget the stunning fountain which Antoni Gaudí helped create.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Parc Cervantes
While Parc de la Ciutadella has the fauna (courtesy of Barcelona Zoo), Parc Cervantes is all about the flora. This isn't to say that the former doesn't have its fair share of botanical bliss, but rather, the flowers in the latter are something else entirely. Specifically, the park's rose garden. With so many colorful blooms on offer, visiting this place will make you feel like you're Alice who stumbled into Wonderland. Don't worry, you won't find anyone painting these roses—they're already beautiful the way they are and there's no evil queen who will stop you from enjoying them.
Source: Flickr.com/ Joan
Laribal Gardens
Located on Montjuïc hill, Laribal Gardens is pretty tough to get to if not for
public transport. However, when you get here, you'll realize that it was a good thing you went through all that trouble. Why? Because this place is one of the most tranquil spots in Barcelona. Looking more like the private garden and courtyard of a villa or a stunning
luxury home, you can easily feel at peace here. And with so many intimate corners, Laribal Gardens is easily one of the most romantic places you can visit with your significant other in the Catalan capital.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jorge Franganillo
Parc del Laberint d’Horta
Speaking of romantic spots in Barcelona, a labyrinth certainly fits under this category, doesn't it? Especially Parc del Laberint d’Horta, the fairytale-like botanical oasis on Passeig dels Castanyers. Located in the Horta-Guinardó district of Barcelona, it's one of the oldest public gardens in the Catalan capital. And you can see, with its Renaissance-style gardening, that this place has been well-preserved after all these years. You can even go so far as to say it's the most well-manicured park in all of Barcelona. You can have all the fun in the world running through the maze while you're here!
Source: Flickr.com/ Ferran Pestaña
Jardí Botànic Històric
What's so great about Barcelona's Jardí Botànic Històric isn't that it's full of lush greenery, exotic flora, and the like, but it's how it's structured to look like the natural wilderness. Make no mistake, this public park is as well-curated as they come, but you won't think it is when you get here. With forests, swamps, and more on offer, you can easily forget you're in one of the busiest cities in the world once you get lost here. So before heading off to Jardí Botànic Històric, you might want to charge your phone just to be safe!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jorge Franganillo
Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera
Amidst all the lush greeneries and well-manicured gardens, Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera is a major stand out because of one particular plant: the cactus. This thorny specimen is the star of the show in this Barcelona park, with so many to see all throughout its 6.15 hectares of land. Because of this, Jardins de Mossèn Costa i Llobera is widely regarded as one of, if not the largest garden of succulent plants in all of Europe. The place itself looks far different from all the other parks on this list. It doesn't even look like a standard garden. Its desert-like aesthetic makes it picture-perfect, often being used as the backdrop for photography.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jorge Franganillo
Barcelona's public gardens and parks offer natural beauty and romantic retreats amidst the busy metropolis. You can easily escape to one when you're in need of some peace and quiet and a little bit of botanical bliss.
