Why you should visit the gardens in Montjuïc

If you’re looking for a green space to relax and unwind during your stay in Barcelona, then you’re in for a treat with the offering of parks and gardens for the public to enjoy in Montjuïc. Just a short distance from Barcelona’s centre and easily accessible by public transport, Montjuïc boasts three beautiful parks with lovely gardens as well as quiet spaces for you to sit and enjoy the natural environment. The three parks, which are named after Catalan poets, vary in their design and make for a great option to add to your sightseeing list of must-dos in Barcelona.

Related article: Why you should visit Montjuïc Castle

Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens

Photo by amantedar via Visualhunt

The Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens have seen international fame thanks to an article published in the New York Times declaring they were ‘among the best gardens in the world’. What’s so special about these gardens is the vegetation – an exotic collection of cacti and succulent plants. These species can survive in this area thanks to its microclimate, which sees a temperature of around two degrees higher than the rest of the city. In addition to the 800 semi-desert, desert and tropical species growing in this area, the garden also features spectacular panoramic views over Barcelona’s coastline and port. It’s a place well worth the visit if you would like to get a glimpse at vegetation that’s in sharp contrast to what usually grows in areas of the Mediterranean.

Address: Carretera de Miramar
Contact: Mossèn Costa i Llobera Gardens – Barcelona City Council website

Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens

The best time to visit the Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens is during its flowering seasons, which are between March and April and from the end of July to the beginning of September each year. Around these times, you’ll be mesmerized by the vibrancy of the flower varieties on offer including irises, tulips, hyacinths and magnolias. The gardens, which cover an area of around five hectares, also feature two ponds at the top and a lake with an adjoining meadow at the bottom.

Address: Avinguda Miramar, 30
Contact: Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens – Barcelona City Council website 

Related article: Why you should visit Montjuïc Cemetery

Joan Brossa Gardens

Photo by aj82 via Visualhunt

The Joan Brossa Gardens were once the site of the Montjuïc Fun Fair, an amusement park operating in Barcelona for 32 years before closing its doors in 1998. In its place, a large variety of vegetation was planted as part of a transformation into a green space and a different type of recreational area for city residents. You’ll find many different types of conifers in the gardens including cedars, pines and cypresses. The gardens also offer some great spaces for children to play, including sandpits, musical paths as well as an area with zip lines and climbing structures. And while not in the gardens themselves, you can easily access a picnic area at the top of the gardens with tables and chairs.

Address: Plaça de Dante-Avinguda Miramar
Contact: Joan Brossa Gardens – Barcelona City Council website