Parc de la Ciutadella
Photo: John Disandolo on Unsplash
- Category
- Garden
- Hours
- Open every day, from 8am until sunset (hours vary by season)
- Price
- Free entry
- Neighborhood
- Ciutat Vella
- How to get there
- Metro L1 or L4, Arc de Triomf stop; also L4, Barceloneta stop
Parc de la Ciutadella is Barcelona's great historic park, built on the grounds of a former military fortress after it was torn down in the 19th century, and today one of the most popular green spaces for both tourists and locals.
Its most photographed feature is the Cascada Monumental, an eclectic-style monumental fountain whose design a young Antoni Gaudí, still an architecture student, helped create alongside architect Josep Fontserè. Right in front of it, a lake lets visitors rent small rowboats.
The park is also home to Barcelona Zoo and the Parliament of Catalonia building, plus wide lawns that are hugely popular for a picnic or simply resting between visits to El Born or the Gothic Quarter, both within easy walking distance.
Frequently asked questions
Is entry to Parc de la Ciutadella free?
Yes, entry to the park is free and it's open every day from 8am until sunset.
What's inside Parc de la Ciutadella?
The Cascada Monumental fountain, a boating lake with rowboat rentals, Barcelona Zoo, and the Parliament of Catalonia building.