6 Top Barcelona Gardens: From Gaudi’s Park Guell To Botanical Gardens

Looking for beautiful gardens in Barcelona? There are a handful of gorgeous and lush green corners across the city! Read up on our favorite spots to breath in some nature in Barcelona.

People walking around Parque de la Ciudadela.
Even Barcelona’s parks and gardens boast breathtaking art, like this magnificent statue and fountain in Parque de la Ciudadela. Photo credit: Chalo Gallardo

Our picks for the best gardens in Barcleona

Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera

This stunning garden is just another stop to make in Barcelona’s small hill, Montjuic. This succulent and cactus garden is of the most important of its kind in Europe with over 800 different species to boast. Combine the unique plant-life with the occasional view of the Mediterranean sea upon your visit. Not to mention as well as a panoramic view of Barcelona’s port at one mirador. All combined you’ve got yourself one of most interesting gardens in all of Barcelona.

Parc Güell

Parc Güell in Barcelona is a stunning public park designed by the renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. Situated on Carmel Hill, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases Gaudí’s unique blend of natural and architectural beauty. It features vibrant mosaics, serpentine benches, and whimsical structures that harmonize with the surrounding landscape.

The park’s centerpiece is the colorful salamander, “El Drac,” which has become an iconic symbol of Barcelona. Parc Güell offers panoramic views of the city, making it a must-visit for tourists and art enthusiasts alike.

Small brown stone Modernist building with the city of Barcelona visible in the background
Even the urban gardens at Park Güell offer lovely quiet corners away from the tourist crowds—you just have to find them!

Jardins del Palacio de Pedralbes

Pedralbes, the almost notoriously wealthy part of Barcelona, could be seen as one big playground for those who appreciate natural beauty. And the Pedralbes Palace Gardens are no exception.

Behind a 250 meter-long wall lush with abundant bougainvillea, you will find an immense garden fit for a king. Of course, that makes sense too. The old palace housed inside these gardens once served as the royal residence when visiting Barcelona. The sweet smell of eucalyptus mixed with pine trees fills the air in this wonderful escape from urban madness.

Jardins de Tamarita

Want to imagine what it was like to be part of the Catalan bourgeois of the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Once a private residence’s gardens, the Jardins de Tamarita are the perfect setting to do just that.

The gardens are decked out in fountains, decorative pots, and frilly sculptures that were very typical of the wealthier families. All of whom built large, showy homes outside the city during those times, and made having a fancy garden something stylish.

Woman with a backpack wandering through a garden or park
Barcelona has plenty of gardens for plant enthusiasts. Photo credit: Matteo Vistocco

Jardins de la Universitat

One might not realize when standing in the center of Plaça Catalunya that just five minutes away they’ve got some of the leafiest, lushest gardens in Barcelona’s city center. Walking through the enormous front doors of the immense and rather tattered university building that stands in Plaça Universitat, you will find beautiful courtyards surrounded by dense vegetation, and you might think you’re somewhere in South America.

Jardí Botànic de Barcelona

Want to explore plants from the Mediterranean Basin, Chile, California, South Africa, and Australia without leaving Barcelona? Then the Jardí Botànic de Barcelona is calling!

Spanning over 14 hectare, this picturesque botanical garden is located on Montjuïc Hill. The garden is designed to highlight the similarities in flora across different Mediterranean climates, offering visitors an educational and serene experience amidst lush greenery and scenic views of the city and sea. It is a must-visit for nature lovers and those interested in plant biodiversity.

This blog post was originally posted on November 28, 2014 and was updated on July 16, 2024.

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