Do you love parks? Are you into trees, flowers or plants in general? Or maybe you are passionate about landscape design? Is visiting local parks a must when you travel abroad? Are you willing to plan a “green” break from your sightseeing?
The Barcelona parks and gardens are often such a great opportunity to get away from the tourist crowds, connect with nature and relax. But also, why not? learn about local (and maybe also exotic) flora, local architecture and history. Because parks are intimately connected with the local evolution.
Gardens are something many would rather do on their own, but… there’s a lot to be missed then! Come with us exploring the most famous parks in Barcelona from the eyes of a local that loves nature as much as you do
Final itinerary and timings might vary due to many factors (your location and pace, transportation means, your main interests…)
While we recommend this to be a chauffeured tour because it is more time-efficient, it can be also done as a taxi tour (although in some areas finding a cab can be tricky, and therefore you’ll be spending less time at the sites).
30 minutes + ride
Walk
PEDRALBES ROYAL PALACE GARDENS
Head first to the classy uptown district of Pedralbes to walk around the quiet gardens of the Royal Palace, with its fountains, tree-lined boulevards, water pond and two little know works of a very young Antoni Gaudi.
This park features several trees that are over 100 years old: eucalyptus, pine trees, cedars and the only Tetraclinis articulata in Barcelona.
1 hour + ride
Walk
PARK OF THE HORTA LABYRINTH
Now cross the city uptown all the way from Pedralbes to Horta, where a nobleman transformed a farming real-state into a garden that is an allegory of Love. The cypress tree maze was its main feature. Water is the other theme that articulates the design of the whole garden through fountains, waterfalls, a canal and a water reservoir.
A hidden jewel, worth venturing beyond the beaten path.
1 hour + ride
Walk
CIUTADELLA PARK
You’ll now head back to the city center to visit the largest of all the Barcelona gardens.
In 1888 Barcelona celebrated the first International Exhibition, and the premises of the former Citadel of the city where used to host the pavilions. The enclosure was embellished with waterfalls, promenades, sculptures, gardens and even a lake. Many bushes and trees brought from exotic countries were used later on to create the botanical collection of the Park.
This itinerary is best done as a chauffeured tour, although if you are a good walker it can also be done on foot (plus a taxi ride to take you to the first stop of your tour). Just note that in such case you’ll be then spending a bit less time at the sites.
1.5 hours + ride
Walk
BARCELONA BOTANICAL GARDEN
The new urban planning for the Olympics in 1992 affected the old botanical garden of Barcelona, and a new one was built near the Olympic facilities. The venue, awarded many design prices, is focused on the Mediterranean species: not just those around the Mediterranean sea, but also those from areas with similar weather characteristics around the world.
30 minutes + ride
Walk
THE LARIBAL GARDENS
This park is one of the first gardens that were created for the second World Fair of Barcelona in 1929. The French garden designer Jean-Claude Forestier (creator of the Bois de Boulogne in Paris) and his Barcelona right hand Nicolau Rubió i Tuduri transformed this once fruit-tree farming lands into a romantic and shady space that invites you to walk around and explore its corners.
1 hour + ride
Walk
MOSSEN COSTA I LLOVERA CACTI GARDEN
The southern side of Montjuic faces the sun most of the day, what provides a warmer micro-climate perfect to grow cacti and palm trees. The tunnel of giant euphorbia, the large Echinocactus and some 200 years old Oreocerus will make you feel for a moment that you left Barcelona and are in the Far West.
And all this, with views over the Mediterranean!
This itinerary is easily done walking with one tramway ride, but it can be done as a chauffeured tour for extra efficiency and comfort.
45 minutes + ride
Walk
PARC CENTRAL DEL POBLENOU
The working class quarter of Poblenou went through a process of transformation with factories turning into tech and media businesses, but the neighbours also vindicated more nature.
The French architect French Jean Nouvel (also author of the famous AGBAR tower nearby) created a quiet garden that surprises you at every corner. Sustainability solutions where mixed with creative shapes that invite you to dream and relax.
30 minutes + ride
Walk
DIAGONAL MAR PARK
When the far end of the city was developed in 2004 to host a big international event, the Forum of Cultures, this new neighborhood needed to be provided with a high quality green space. Architects E. Miralles & Benedetta Tagliabue where in charge of designing it, and they took into account the local’s needs and suggestions.
A sustainable lake articulates the park, that includes some modern homages to Antoni Gaudi’s mosaics.
1 hour + ride
Walk
SOUTH EAST PARK (PARC DELS AUDITORIS)
Also in the occasion of the 2004 Forum of Cultures, architect Alejando Zaera Polo designed a park of artificial dunes that would connect the main plaza of the Forum with the sea and featured two outdoor auditoriums where concerts and shows would be celebrated.
It’s a good example of how parks can be designed to resist aggressive usage and still be visually pleasant.
This tours are great for plants and park lovers that want to go off the beaten path and see a green part of Barcelona that most visitors will miss.
If you are traveling with kids, the Contemporary Garden tour visits parks with playgrounds, and kids also love the Labyrinth of the Historical Parks tour.
If you have walking issues, please note that even if you book a chauffeured tour there will be walking involved inside the parks, with occasional uphill slopes and some sections of stairs.
If you are on a wheelchair, some parks have accessible itineraries. Check with us before booking so we can recommend an itinerary that would work for you.
If you’d like to have a longer day, we’ll be glad to customize an 8-hour itinerary that combines your favorite parks and gardens.
If you’d like to go out of town, check out our tour of the Gaudi sites outside of Barcelona, that takes you to a mountain garden the architect designed along a water stream.
* ATTENTION. If you are visiting Park Guell, upon booking you’ll also be charged for the tickets of Park Güell in advance, as we’ll need to book them in advance.
DURATION: 4 hours
TAXI OPTION:
Taxi rides not included.
CHAUFFEURED OPTION:
Mercedes car or minivan upto 6 of you + guide & dedicated driver
Not included
While most parks are free, there’s some that require an entrance fee.
PAID ON SITE (depending on chosen itinerary):
* Fees given as an orientation only. Sites might decide to change them without notice. Discounts might apply for students and/or seniors.
We can only secure a guide for you after full payment has been received. Don’t wait until last-minute: we often book out in high season, and Park Guell & Sagrada Familia tickets sell out, too.
These tours are: | |
|---|---|
| AVAILABLE | Monday through Sunday |
| MONTJUIC PARKS | Monday (April to September): This tour is not available because the Botanical Garden is closed. |
Recommended starting times: | |
|---|---|
| Morning Tours Tours: | 10AM (as most parks aren't open earlier than that) |
| Afternoon Tours: | Anytime between 1PM and 2PM (Summertime upto 4PM, depending on the sunset time) |