On hot summer days, walking around the city can quickly leave you feeling tired. As well as Montjuïc Hill, a popular natural attraction and park, you can visit a spacious city park right in the city centre to relax.

What’s more, you’ll find plenty of attractions and entertainment options here.

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The park’s name refers to the site’s past, where a vast military citadel once stood across 30 hectares, designed to ensure the security of both the harbour and the city. At the end of the 19th century, the entire citadel was demolished, largely at the instigation of the local population, who saw the structure as a symbol of oppression by the authorities, and a large city park began to take shape on the site.

This beautiful park offers a place to relax in the shade of mature tree-lined avenues, orange trees and numerous water features.

On the small lake in the centre of the park, you can hire a boat for 30 minutes at 7 eur. Payment can be made in cash or by card.

The Cascada Fountain and the Parliament

One of the park’s main attractions is the magnificent and enormous Cascada Fountain on its northern edge. Dating from 1881, this stone fountain boasts a beautiful gateway, topped by the gleaming golden statue of the Quadriga de l’Aurora. The fountain was designed by Antoni Gaudí, though it is not built in the same unconventional style as his other structures.

The central part of the park is occupied by the building that currently houses the Catalan Parliament.

On the western side of the park, you can visit several greenhouses free of charge, which form part of the Museum of Natural Sciences.

Zoo

The southern part of the park is home to Barcelona’s main zoo, though its size is rather disappointing.

The local zoo is, in fact, one of the smallest zoos in cities of a similar size, but it is beautifully maintained and offers interesting activities.

Adult admission costs around 22 eur, whilst children pay 13 eur. You can find more information on the zoo’s official website:zoobarcelona.cat.

The Castle of the Three Dragons

In the north-western corner of the park stands the famous Modernist building designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1888, known as the Castell dels tres Dragons, which was built as a large-capacity restaurant for EXPO Barcelona 1888.

Today, the building houses the Museum of Natural Sciences.

Location and transport

Parc de la Ciutadella is situated in the centre of Barcelona, between the Barri Gòtic district and Barceloneta beach. It is no more than a 15-minute walk from either location, but you can also use public transport:

• Metro –Ciutadella Vila Olímpicastation, approx. 350 metres away (line L4), orArc de Triomfstation, approx. 300 metres away (line L1)
• Bus –Pg Pujades - Parc de la Ciutadellastop – routes B20, B25, H14, H16, orParc de la Ciutadella - Princesastop–routes H14, V19
• Train–Estacio de Francastation approx. 350 metres, lines R2, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17

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