Parc de la Ciutadella

Parc de la Ciutadella, the green lung of Barcelona

The Barcelona audio-guided tour has you enter the city's urban park par excellence. As New York has its Central Park and London its Hyde Park, Barcelona has its Parc de la Ciutadella, a vast green garden in the heart of the city.

From a hated citadel to a garden

The park owes its name to the citadel that stood there, built by Philip V after the War of the Spanish Succession. A symbol of oppressive power in the eyes of the people of Barcelona, it was destroyed in 1868 during the revolution. In 1888, with the universal exhibition approaching, the city decided to use the freed space to lay out a spacious garden, able to welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected. The architect of the project liked to say that gardens are to cities what lungs are to the body.

What there is to see

The park unfolds its shady paths, its pond where you can go boating, its romantic English-style garden and its monumental cascade fountain. There is also the building of the Parliament of Catalonia and a zoo. It is a place of strolling, relaxation and picnicking much prized by the people of Barcelona, ideal for taking a breath between two visits of the historic centre.

Practical information

Parc de la Ciutadella is to the east of the historic centre of Barcelona, near the Born district. The park is freely accessible and on the level during opening hours, which may vary with the season. The boat rental and the zoo follow their own conditions.

Where does the park's name come from?

From the military citadel built by Philip V, a symbol of oppression, destroyed in 1868; the park was laid out on its site for the universal exhibition of 1888.

What can you do at Parc de la Ciutadella?

Stroll, go boating on the pond, admire the cascade fountain and the romantic garden, or visit the zoo, in the city's great urban park.