Barcelona’s most popular city park, Parc de la Ciutadella, was created in honor of the 1888 World’s Fair. It is the ideal place for a sunny picnic, to play with the children, or to take a walk.
| Parc de la Ciutadella | Tickets, opening hours & public transport |
|---|---|
| Price | Free |
| Adress | Passeig de Picasso 21 |
| Public transport / metro | Metro: Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (L4) Arc de Triomf (L1) |
| Opening hours | Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM |
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- Practical information
- How do you get at Parc de la Ciutadella?
- See and do in Parc de la Ciutadella
- Personal tip
- The history of Parc de la ciutadella
- Parc de la Ciutadella with children
Practical information
Especially in spring and autumn, the green oasis Parc de la Ciutadella in the heart of the city is the perfect place to lie down (or sit) and do absolutely nothing. In the summer months, it’s a great spot for a picnic as dusk falls, and in winter, the park is a lovely place for a peaceful walk.
The Catalans also love spending time in the park. It’s a popular location for children’s parties, and festivals are frequently organized here. Fitness enthusiasts come to jog, play a game of ping pong (bring your own paddle!), or balance on a slackline stretched between the trees.
A visit to the park can easily be combined with a trip to the El Born district. It’s also a great stop during a bike tour of the city. I highly recommend visiting this beloved park if you’re spending a weekend or two to three days in Barcelona and need a break from the many other highlights.
Parc de la Ciutadella is located in the El Born district, not far from the beach.
How do you get at Parc de la Ciutadella?
To get to the park, you can take the metro. Take metro line L4 to Ciutadella Vila Olímpica or metro line L1 to Arc de Triomf. Additionally, buses B20, B25, H14, and H16 stop at the park.
See and do in Parc de la Ciutadella
At the fountain, now a popular spot for group photos and selfies, Barcelona’s city architect, Antoni Gaudí, played a role in its construction, as he was responsible for the infrastructure beneath the fountain.
The building that served as a restaurant during the World’s Fair, the Castillo de los Tres Dragones (Castle of the Three Dragons), still stands today. This structure was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in a neo-Gothic style with modernist details. The Hibernáculo was the work of Josep Amargós, who took inspiration from the Crystal Palace of the 1851 World Expo in London.
Antoni Rovira i Trias designed the Museo Martorell de Geología, the first building in the city constructed specifically to house a museum. It was also Barcelona’s very first public museum. Currently, only the library is accessible to visitors, as the collection was transferred several years ago to the Museu Blau.
Another structure still standing is the Umbráculo, designed by Josep Fontserè. Here, you can walk among tropical and subtropical plant species.
Lastly, there is the life-sized mammoth. The original plan was to fill the park with representations of animal species that once inhabited Catalonia during prehistoric times. In the end, only the mammoth (built to scale) was completed.
In addition to the attractions mentioned above, the zoo is also located in the park.
The Catalan Parliament is also housed within the park. The Palau del Parlament de Catalunya was built in the first half of the 18th century by Joris Prosper Van Verboom as an arsenal within the Ciutadella fortress. The parliament building can only be visited on September 11, when Catalans commemorate the final fall of Barcelona during La Diada de Catalunya.
Personal tip
On Sunday afternoons, people often dance or play music at the kiosk near the large fountain. Do you know a bit of salsa or tap dance, or would you like to learn? Just join in and dance along!
The park also regularly hosts festivals and events, including food trucks, concerts, and markets.
The history of Parc de la Ciutadella
This location was once part of the La Ribera district, which was destroyed in 1714 during the final fall of Barcelona. Philip V ordered the construction of the Ciutadella fortress here, demolishing numerous residential blocks in the process. The displaced residents were not given new homes until three decades later in the La Barceloneta district.Later, the park was built on the remnants of the old fortress as the venue for the 1888 World’s Fair. The Arc de Triomf, located on the other side of the main entrance, served as the gateway to the park during the event.
The task of designing the park was assigned to Josep Fontserè, who took inspiration from the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. The park is not only a green space but also features wide pathways, a central square, a monumental fountain, and various buildings.
Parc de la Ciutadella with children
A visit to the park is also highly recommended for families. There is a playground for the little ones and another for older children. The mammoth is also a popular attraction. In the center of the park, there is a small lake where you can rent a boat. And, of course, the zoo is a favorite spot for families with children. Additionally, along the Passeig de Picasso, you can rent family bikes to explore the park together.
