Parc de la Ciutadella
Parks in the city
Parc de la Ciutadella (see on map): Barcelona’s lovely, green central park with paths and playgrounds for different ages. The highlights are the boating lake and giant stone mammoth. Barcelona Zoo is right next door.
Montjuïc (see on map): This is Barcelona’s green hillside which is home to gardens and playgrounds, topped by the Montjuïc Castle and offering great views over the city. The Jardins de Laribal offer shady terraces, fountains and various paths. You can also stop and see the Teatre Grec, an open-air amphitheatre next to a rose garden. Be aware that there are lots of interesting slopes and steps. A fun option is to take the cable car up to the castle and wind your way back down through the gardens.
Gardens on Montjuïc
Parc de Joan Miró (see on map): This is a sizeable city park behind the shopping centre of Arenas de Barcelona and near Plaça d’Espanya and the Magic Fountain. It is a fun park with several playgrounds for different ages and you can also see Miró’s giant Woman and Bird sculpture. A good plan is to visit the shops or rooftop restaurants at Arenas and enjoy the park after. Metro L1 or L3 to Espanya.
Parc de Joan Miró. Photo: Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0
Park Güell’s free woodland (see on map): This is the hilly woodland area home to paths and viewpoints beyond Gaudí’s Monumental Zone. This is a free area to explore so no ticket needed.
Parc de Diagonal Mar (see on map): Further out but if you are staying in Poblenou or the Diagonal Mar area, you can spend some time at this modern park near the sea. It has a small lake, big slides and play areas. Metro L4 to Selva de Mar or El Maresme | Fòrum.
Parc del Centre del Poblenou (see on map): This is a typical neighbourhood park with play areas and an easy option if you’re staying in Poblenou.
For longer stays – parks further out
Parc del Laberint d’Horta (see on map): This is actually a historic garden with a cypress maze and playground. Entry costs a small fee, although there is free admission on Wednesdays and Sundays. Take metro L3 to Mundet, around 20 minutes from Plaça de Catalunya, then allow another 5–10 minutes for the uphill walk past the velodrome.
Parc de la Creueta del Coll (see on map): A large park which is in a former quarry in the hills above Gràcia. It has a playground and a lake that becomes an outdoor swimming area in summer.
Parc de la Creueta del Coll. Photo: Canaan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Parc del Castell de l’Oreneta (see on map): A really lovely choice for families – a wooded park above Pedralbes, with lots of paths to explore and a miniature train that runs on Sunday mornings from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm, except in August.
Playgrounds and courtyard gardens
Eixample courtyards: These public gardens are tucked inside Eixample’s residential blocks, often with playgrounds and shade from the surrounding buildings. Known as jardins interiors d’illa, they belong to Ildefons Cerdà’s original vision for the Eixample neighbourhood. His design included open gardens within each block to provide light, fresh air and green space. Many were later built over, but some have since been reclaimed for public use.
Jardins de Càndida Pérez, Sant Antoni (see on map): A courtyard garden with a children’s playground where many families head after school, next to the Sant Antoni–Joan Oliver library.
Jardins de Joan Brossa, Montjuïc (see on map): Up on the hillside, this garden has three play areas for different ages, plus a zip line and “musical cushions” that play notes when you jump on them. Entry is free, and the gardens open from 10 am until sunset.
Parc de les Glòries (see on map): A new development and large city park at Plaça de les Glòries with a large playground. You could combine a play here with a trip to the Glòries shopping centre.
