Barcelona Travel Guide » – Parks & Gardens

Montjuïc

admin — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:46:14 +0000

In the morning we will be visiting the mountain of Montjuïc – a landmark visible from almost everywhere in Barcelona. From there, we have extensive views over the whole city, including the port which is one of the biggest on the Mediterranean. Montjuïc is also one of the city’s main leisure areas with facilities such as parks, museums and restaurants. The stadium which held the 1992 Olympic Games is also situated in this area.

In the afternoon it’s time for Gaudí’s world famous masterpieces. Firstly we will be making a photo-stop at “La Sagrada Família”, the impressive (though as yet unfi nished) cathedral which is arguably the most famous building in Spain. After that, we will continue the Catalan Modernist tour with a visit to “Parc Güell”, a park of quirkily original design set on a hillside within the city; nature blends in with genius here, the place where Gaudí was living when he died in 1926.

Parc Ciutadella

admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:49:30 +0000

Passeig de Pujades
08005 Barcelona, Spain

Open Hours
10am-nightfall Mon-Su

Charmingly old-fashioned in its geometrical layout, the Parc Ciutadella is leafy and restful, yet filled with surprises such as the flamboyant waterfall, the sculpture of the dainty Lady With the Umbrella by Roig i Sole, rare trees and a boating lake. Originally a citadel built in 1715 to keep Barcelona in line after the War of the Spanish Succession, this area was handed over to the city in 1869 and turned into a park. Barcelona started on its cosmopolitan journey when the park was chosen as the site for the Universal Exhibition of 1888, the gateway to which was the Arc de Triomf (Triumphal Arch). A cafe-restaurant built for the Exhibition is now the Zoology Museum. Still standing are the Hivernacle (conservatory) with a cafeteria, the shady Umbracle (tropical hothouse) and the geology museum. The southeast end of the park is taken up by the zoo. Daily 7:30 am-10 pm. Passeig Pujades and Passeig Picasso, Barri Gotic, Barcelona.

Parc Güell,

admin — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 21:29:11 +0000

Parc Güell, his playful 50-acre park – When Eusebio Güell bough the land in 1900, he planned for Gaudí to create an urban community for the wealthy, a village modeled on English garden suburbs. The project never came to fruition, abandoned in 1914. Sixty housing sites were provided, but only two houses were ever built. The Güell family donated it to the city to be used as a public park. Gaudi lived in the park in what was to have been the porter’s pavilion from 1906 until his death. This makes for a delightful outing particularly with kids in tow. You can visit his house/museum, Casa Museu Gaudí, April – September from 10:00 – 7:45 and from November – March, 10:00 – 5:45. Closed on January 1st, but only open on December 25 until 1:45 pm. The park encompasses fanciful gatehouses, fountains, arched and elevated walkways and viewing terraces and is open daily from 10:00 am till dusk.