With half a dozen glittering beaches nearby, we can't blame Barcelona for lacking urban green spaces.
But with the entrails of the Ciutadella park it contains so many botanical resources, who needs them?
The largest of all the parks in Barcelona is located minutes from anywhere And you don't want to miss out on this fun, so here's a list of things to do in Parc de la Ciutadella.
Ciutadella Park: Comment s'y surrender?
You will find the park in the city center, right on the edge of the famous El Born district. It's about a five-minute walk from the Arc de Triomf (L1), Barceloneta (L4) and Ciutadella Vila Olímpica (L4) metro stations.
If you are staying in the Gothic Quarter, expect a 15-20 minute walk.
Address: Paseo de Picasso, 21, 08003 Barcelone.
Why you will love Parc de la Ciutadella
- The largest park in Barcelona - 280 000 m2 urban green spaces.
- A good alternative and relaxing on the beach.
- Great international atmosphere.
- The musicians plays eclectic pieces in every corner.
- Locations picnic shading.
- A place to walk or go sport.
What to see in the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona
Fountain of the Ciutadella Park
Based on the Trevi Fountain in Rome, this huge structure located to the north of the park was designed by Josep Fontsére with the help of the young yet unknown Antoni Gaudi.
Two huge crab claws serve as stairs to a podium with a venus sculpture in a clam shell. Climb them up for a beautiful view of the park and the surrounding pond.
Ciutadella Park Zoo
more 4 animals of 000 different species, the animal lovers in you and especially your children simply will not be able to resist at the Barcelona Zoo.
Considered a small reserve of biodiversity, the zoo boasts of faithfully reproducing the habitats of every animal that lives there. Some highlights for families at the Barcelona Zoo include the miniature train, electric cars and pony rides.
Tickets can be purchased online at the official Barcelona tourist office by clicking the button below, you will benefit from a 10% online discount.
Ticket purchase includes dolphin show.
Natural science museum
Science lovers will appreciate the zoology and geology sections of the Barcelona Museum of Natural Sciences, located in the Ciutadella Park.
You will see the red brick building called Castell dels Tres Dragons (the Castle of the Three Dragons) from the main entrance of the park, below the Arc de Triomf. It was designed by the local architect. Lluís Doménech i Montaner and built forUniversal Exhibition of 1888.
Here you will find a lot of interesting exhibits, the most popular being a whale skeleton.
Despair by Josep Llimona
In the pond of Parade ground, you will find a stone sculpture representing a inconsolable woman, on his knees, his face covered with a wild mane, his clasped hands being the only sign of life. No wonder it's called "Despair."
The contrast between so much misery and the ideal female form was an integral part of Catalan modernism, and Llimona exhibits it here with her award-winning work at the V International Art Exhibition of 5.
One day in the Parc de la Ciutadella
As soon as Barcelona's climate warms up, the city's parks begin to come to life and, of all, the Parc de la Ciutadella becomes the unmissable meeting point locals and tourists.
If you are traveling to Barcelona with children who are not easily impressed with museums and architectural marvel, this is a great place to let them go, let them play, and burn.
These are some of my favorite activities in the Parc de la Ciutadella:
Have a picnic
With so manygreen areas ytriplet under the trees can really make it a day to remember. I suggest stocking up on beer and wine, buying some cold cuts and Spanish cheese, and making your own tapas lunch.
Medical Attention: Although I have never had any problems, I have heard that the authorities ask some people to throw away the beer. Better to pour them into plastic cups to avoid detection.
The closest supermarket to Parc de la Ciutadella is Condis, Calle Comercio 19.
Those with deep pockets can head to the best restaurants in Barcelona for a packed lunch, the legendary Bacoa burgers (Avenida del Marquès de l'Argentera 1) or Pim Pam Burger (Carrer del Rec 18).
To have a snack
What could be better than an afternoon drink and snack?
It's a common gesture in Barcelona: buy a bottle of wine or a few beers (or both!) And head to the park. I recommend taking a bottle of Blanc Pescador local (a semi-dry, light and bright white) and cool it at your hotel for the occasion.
So arm yourself with him Manchego cheese classic and a great piece of sausage And voila.
All that's left is to drink while watching people go by.
Good to Know: Drinking alcohol in public is technically illegal, although you shouldn't get in trouble with the police if you're behaving in a civilized manner - don't forget to pick it up when you leave!
Plus, you'll find tons of street vendors of beer with fresh cans of Estrella. I know they are hidden in places where cleanliness is questionable, buy them with caution! And don't pay more than € 1,00.
Take a boat ride
Wait, take a boat ride through a park.
Yes, ridiculous as it may seem, this is one of the most popular activities in Parc de la Ciutadella as there is a lake in the middle.
This is one of the most romantic things to do in Barcelona, ideal for couples on vacation although I would recommend it to anyone looking unique experience in Barcelona.
30 minutes by boat cost € 6,00 for two people, € 9,00 for three people and € 10,00 for four or five.
Opening hours: March 24 - September 22 (10 am to 21 pm), September 23 - March 23 (10 am to 18 pm).
Do some sport
Yes, you can burn off the calories from the paella or the debauchery of your drunken night the night before.
Grab a soccer ball, a Frisbee or a ping pong kit from one of the nearby Chinese (a kind of discount store with everything) for less than € 5,00 and head to the closest space, nearby!
You will find three ping pong tables at the entrance, near the intersection of Passeig de Pujades and Carrer de Napols, just behind the monumental fountain.
Things to do near La Ciutadella
Once the batteries have been recharged, you are ready for one of Barcelona's top attractions.
Barcelona's parks are not the only places to walk. Visit the neighboring neighborhoods of Born or Barceloneta for lively neighborhoods full of shops, bars, restaurants and almost everything.
If the sun is shining, it is advisable to rent a bicycle and head to the seashore for a beautiful ride along the Mediterranean.
You'll also be about a 10-minute walk from the famous Picasso Museum and its permanent exhibition of more than 4 works of art of the most famous surrealist painter in Spain.
Another interesting option is to visit the Palace of Catalan Music. This 2-seat music room is an explosion of color and one of the biggest marks left by the Catalan modernism.
Make sure to visit theArc de Triomphe, the reception door of the Universal Exhibition of 1888.
Tips for the Ciutadella Park
- Please arrive before 10:00 a.m. M. For your maximum peace of mind.
- Try to go on weekdays to avoid the crowds.
- Kiosks selling drinks and snacks are above market prices. Purchase in advance.
- Climb the correct steps to the fountain for a great photo.
- Look for fluorescent green cockatoos.
- Don't feel any pressure to tip musicians unless you really like them.
- People who sell baked goods have probably included a special ingredient: marijuana.
- The € 1 samosas sold by Pakistanis are delicious and safe.
- You can find a list of park events here.
Schedules
Remember that there is no entrance fee at any time of the day, unless you are visiting separate attractions.
The park is open every day from 8 am to 22:30 pm.
A little history
In 1714, the King of Spain Philip V He conquered Catalonia and built a citadel on the site, forcing many local Catalans to abandon their homes and this eventually led to the construction of the nearby coastal district of Barceloneta.
At that time, the five corner fortress était the largest in Europe and could accommodate 8 soldiers.
She immediately became a hated symbol of the Spanish central government and over time most of the buildings were destroyed as Spanish royal power declined.
As there were so few parks in Barcelona, it was decided to turn it into the city's first urban green space.
The Parc de la Ciutadella was inaugurated in 1872.
Come discuss in the comments below.
If I forgot something on my list of things to do at Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, be sure to keep me posted in the comments below… Any questions you have about your Barcelona vacation will be answered immediately. and thoughtful!
Also, don't be afraid to join the discussion about Barcelona attractions on my new Facebook group called “For City Lovers”. Here you can ask questions, voice your complaints, chat with other travelers and more - anything goes!
Have a good ride everyone! ?
