Barcelona - Parks

Barcelona has so many parks and green areas though, here you have only famous or well-known ones.

 

1. Parc Guell, C. d'Olot, Leseeps

 Metro; Green line(Lesseps station), Bus lines: 24 - 31 - 32 - 74 and 92.

 

The unique and famous Gaudi park that overlooks Barcelona, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gaudi worked on the project until it was abandoned in 1914.

 

2. Parc del Laberint d’ Horta

One of the most beautiful parks in the city with 9 hectares of greenery featuring an impressive maze, peacocks, and romantic gardens (18th century).

Metro: Mundet Line 3 (NOT Horta), then approx. 300m uphill walk. Free on Sundays.

3. Parc de la Ciutadella, 

 

One of the oldest city parks with over 43 acres of greenery. A typical Sunday activity park. The park hosts many outdoor events throughout the year including the International Day of the Family in May and an outdoor circus festival during La Merce in September. It includes the Museum of Natural History and Science, the Barcelona Zoo, several playgrounds for kids, a fountain, an artificial small lake, table tennis areas, and the Catalan Parliament building.

Metro: Arc de Triomph (L1), Barceloneta (L4)

4. Park Espanya Industrial, Metro: Lines 3 and 5 (Estació Sants)

5. Parc Central de Nou Barris, this park got a Cubism Award.  
Metro: Line 4 (Llucmajor)

6. Park Guinardó, Metro: Line 4 (Guinardó)
7. Jardins del Palau Reial de Pedralbes, Metro: Line 3 (Palau Reial) Diagonal

8. Parc de Joan Miró, Metro: Espana

9. Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera, On the hill of Montjuïc,

10. Jardins Mossèn Cinto Verdague On the hill of Montjuïc,

11. Park Monterolos

12. Parc de la Maquinista in front of the Maquinista Mall

13. Jardins de sant pau del camp

14. Parc de La Creuta del Coll, Passeig de La Mare de Deu de Coll 89, Gracia
Park that is best visited during summer as its main feature is an outdoor paddling pool some grassy areas and shade. There is also a cafeteria and children’s play park. Opens last 3rd weekend in June till mid-September.
Metro: Lesseps/Valcara.

15. Parc de la Trinitat


16. Parc Tibidabo

17. The Winter Garden inside Cituadella Parc

18. Barcelona University Gardens Gran Via De les Corts Catalanes Universitat

19. Parc del Castell de L’Oreneta Go through the monastery Pedrallbes and cross Dalt street you will find another great park for families. The park overlooks Barcelona from a hillside in Sarria. There are various playgrounds, climbing frames, pony riding, and miniature trains! There are different trains powered by electric, diesel, or steam locomotion that take you for over 1/2 km on a leisurely ride through the park past stations, crossings, and through tunnels.

Camino de Can Caralleu, Pg de la Blada, Av. de Espasa, C de Gaspar Cassadó, El lateral de la ronda de Dalt 
FGC Train: S6 Reina Elisenda (From Plaza Catalunya)

20. El Parc de Cervantes y el Roserar (Rose Park) Av. Esplugues, 20 

A really lovely park with a children’s playground, picnic benches, roses, and Ludoteca.
Metro: L3 Zona Universitaria.

-- El Parc de Cervantes Ludoteca: Next to Parc de Cervantes is el Roserar, a small park packed with an incredible variety of roses.


21. Parc Montjuic

The hill of Montjuic is made up of several small parks and green areas, cultural centers, and attractions. It offers to get some fresh air with great views of the city. The area includes the Olympic Stadium, Poble Espanyol, and the Museu Olimpic i de Esports as well as the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya and the Joan Miro museums.

At the top, you can also visit the imposing Castell de Montjuic (the castle), which now houses the Military Museum and the Museum of Comics and Illustration.


One of the easiest ways to visit Montjuic is to take the Parc Montjuic bus or otherwise the Montjuic funicular. From there you can also take the Cable Car up to the castle (170m) for great views over Barcelona’s port.

22. Jardí Botanic – Botanical Gardens (Montjuic) Dr Font I Quer, 2 Parc de Montjuic
Metro: Funicular to Montujic from Parallel or Bus.
Plaza Espanya (L3 or L1) then Montjuic bus 50/55 or Parc montjuic Bus
http://www.jardibotanic.bcn.es

23. Parc de Les Aigües Horta-Guinardó Metro: Alfons X (L4)

The park is designed with stone wall-lined terraces separating the different paths.

24. Turó Parc (Jardins de La Poeta Eduard Marquina) Pau de Casals (Francesc Macia)

Just a short walk up from Diagonal you will find the entrance to Turo Parc, a shaded oasis from the city traffic with a pond and 2 children's playgrounds.
Tram
25. Jardins de La Maternitat Travessera de Les Corts / Maternitat / Doctor Salvador Cardenel 

Peaceful gardens on the grounds of the Hospital de la Maternitat. Despite the "keep of the grass" signs, there are invariably sunbathers, readers, or children playing in the gardens' well-kept grassy areas.
Metro: Les Corts (L3)

26. Jardins de La Vila Santa Amelia Entrance: Eduardo Conde, Sarria

Small neighborhood park in Sarria that offers a great variety of attractions. Large children's playground, fountains, and a cafe.

27. Parc de Collserola Crta. de l'Esglèsia, 92.
Collserola Park is an immense natural park that is within 15 min. reach from the center of Barcelona. There are plenty of areas for picnics and some great miradors with wonderful views.
Information Centre is open 9.30am to 3pm daily and is can be found up the steps as you enter the park from the Baixador de Vallvidrera
 the FGC train (S1/S2) from Pl. Catalunya. (http://www.parccollserola.net/)


28. Parc Diagonal Mar Next to Diagonal Mar Shopping Center on Av. Diagonal
The grassy area in the midst of the residential area of Diagonal Mar.
Metro: El Maresme / Forum (L4)

29. Parc Infantil del Forum Barcelona Forum, Metro: El Maresme / Forum (L4)

Fairground-style park on grounds of 1,500m2 at the Barcelona Forum. Playground area with swings slides as well as creative play for children.

30. Parc Barceloneta Barcelonata

31. Parroquia de María Reina

Barcelona - Catalonia Festivals

 

Official Holidays (Spanish & Catalan)

The Main - General Holidays
1th of Jan New year's day

6th of Jan Epiphany

 in April Easter

23th of Apr Saint George's day

27th of Apr Mare de Déu de Montserrat

1th of May May Day

19th of May Whitsun

24th of Jun Saint John's day

15th of Aug Assumption Festivities of Gracia

11th of Sep La Diada (Catalan national holiday)

24th of Sep La Mercè Fest

12th of Oct Columbus Day

1th of Nov All Saints' Day Chesnut fest

6th of Dec Constitution Day

8th of Dec Immaculate Conception

25th of Dec Christmas

26th of Dec Saint Stephen's Day 

 Some of the Catalonia Festivals in Details

Some of the dates change depending on the year, so if you need the exact date please check them at  www.festes.org.

The Festa de Sant Jordi April 23,

 The tradition of the feast of Catalonia’s patron Saint George, for  Sant Jordi, is giving a rose and a book! This tradition, which combines a rose as a symbol of love and a book as a symbol of culture, has turned into a festive celebration that engulfs the streets and squares with books and flower stalls. It is a day for walking around and enjoying the spectacle of streets turning into open-air book shops. If you are in Barcelona on this day, you will see that the city is full of bookstalls, free concerts and people walking around with roses. It is an authentic day to witness.

 

Dia de Sant Joan June 23-24

The Eve of Saint John's: On 23 June, the summer solstice is celebrated with big bonfires, firecrackers, and fireworks, and people eat the traditional "coca de Sant Joan" (a pastry).

This is real party time and is the equivalent in the UK of bonfire night/U.S like 4th July. Fireworks galore and everyone goes out for "la berbena" or the all-night fiesta. Barceloneta beach fills with bonfires and singing and it's a good job that the next day is a public holiday.

 

Festa Nacional de Catalunya 

September 11, it is the national day of Catalonia. There are several activities around the city and visiting some of the museums is also open to the public for free.

Festa de la Mercè festival, 24th September

This is the biggest festival for Barcelona's patron saint, held in the week of the 24 September, the day of La Mercè. All kinds of activities are organized, for all tastes and all ages. Of particular interest is the "correfoc" (fire-breathing dragons from all over Catalonia), and the pyrotechnical music show (fireworks and classical music next to the Montjuïc fountains).

 

 

Traditional Activities during these days

Sardanas: Traditional Catalan dance. People meet in front of the cathedral on Sundays to dance.

Castellers: The "castells" are impressive human towers of up to 9 "floors". They originated in the Tarragona region, although they can be seen in popular festivals in Barcelona, especially during the "Mercè".

 

13th February - La Xatonada in Sitges

According to legend the name of this typical Catalan dish come from the word chateau, a reference to the size of the plate and the shape of this delicious winter salad. Originally cooked by the fishermen, this specialty is enjoyed every February on the coast south of Barcelona.  The Xato is much better in Sitges is a famous saying.

 

15 - 21st February - Carnaval de Sitges

Carnival has special importance in Sitges. Thousands of visitors come to the village to see the different parades of masks and fancy dresses, to enjoy those Carnival nights that have made popular the notion that “everything is possible during Carnival”.

 

March - April - Lent and Holy week

When the Carnival is over and Lent – the time for penance and abstinence- is well advanced, performances of passion play (La Passio) begin in various localities and continue into Holy Week. The most striking religious ceremonies in Holy Week (Semana Santa), which begins on Palm Sunday, are the solemn processions in the streets and churches. Many – including the “Dansa de la Mort” (dance of death) in Verges - take place on Maundy Thursday. Others such as the procession of the Holy Burial are held on Good Friday (Divendres Sant). They feature members of confraternities, the popular Roman soldiers, and sacred images carried on floats.

 

On Easter Monday (Dilluns de Pasqua) people go to chapels and shrines in the countryside to eat “Mones”. The feasts of the Ascension (recalling Christ’s ascension into heaven forty days after Easter) and Pentecost (Pasqua Granada, when the Holy Spirit came down on the Apostles fifty days after Easter) are religious in character.

 

30th March - 1st of April - Mercat del Ramat in Vic.

Animals invade the old city of Vic. This farm country's capital is famous for its centuries-old market and its cattle industry. Experience one of the most typical markets of the region.

 

6th April - Procession of the Holy Burial in Tarragona

The most astonishing religious performance of Holy Week in Tarragona is the Solemn Procession of the Holy Burial. No need to explain to local people about the Holy Burial in Tarragona - it is probably the most famous Easter celebration in Catalunya.

 

27th April - Festa de la Mare de Deu de Montserrat, Monastery of Montserrat.

The feast of Our Lady of Montserrat, the patroness of Catalonia. is marked by special ceremonies at the shrine of Montserrat. Join one of our tours to Montserrat.

 

5 - 12th May Temps de Flors in Girona

This Flower festival is used as an excuse to decorate all the old city of Girona with flowers, a fabulous opportunity to see this magnificent medieval city in full bloom. Please join one of our tours to Girona and Costa Brava.

 

18th May - Snail Festival in Lleida

The Festival of the Snail is the cooking festival par excellence of Lleida. For three days, thousands of residents, organized in lines, join around the table to taste dishes of the purest Lleida style.

 

20th May - Festa de las Llana in Ripoll

It is called the “Festa de la Llana i casement a pages”, Sheepshearing and traditional country wedding. This double feast is one of the most ancient traditions in the city of Ripoll, the Cradle of Catalonia. This feast pays homage to the shepherd and gives you a unique opportunity to observe traditional sheep shearing. 

 

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday after Holy Trinity Sunday. Corpus Christi is one of the most solemn festivities. In many places, people still decorate the streets with flower carpets (catifes de flors) and garlands (enramades).

 

2 - 3rd June - Festa del Timbaler i Fira de la Guerra del Francés in Montserrat

A festival to celebrate one of the historical battles of the 19th century. This feast commemorates the heroic fighting of the small village of Montserrat, El Bruc, against the Napoleon Army in 1811. Relive the story of a little boy “El Timbaler” who scared the most powerful army in Europe with his drum.

 

7th June - Corpus Christi in Sitges

Mats made from flowers fill the streets of the town center. In the evening, there is a procession through the streets with the mats. They also hold a Flower Mat Competition.

 

7th - 10th June - La Patum in Berga

A veritable explosion of fire, which has been made part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Berga also offers a fantastic view over the Cadi range, part of the Pyrenees.

 

7th July Habanera, Calella de Palafrugell,

“Habanera” is a symbolic event in Catalunya during the summer. Habaneros are a kind of seamen songs sung for generations by the seamen who used to travel to Cuba. But Habaneres is more than a song festival, it is a homage to the spirit of the Catalan traders and the Catalan seamen who were looking for adventure in the new world. On the first Saturday of July, hundreds of people gather on the small beach of Port Bo in Calella de Palafrugell to hear these traditional songs, sung from a boat anchored a few meters from the coast. 

 

7th - 8th July Festa dels raiers, La Pobla de Segur

Everybody knows the river Noguera Pallaresa as the best place for rafting and kayaking. But it was not always like that. Years ago, the “raiers” had to navigate this wild river to transport the wood from the mountains to the valleys. Sailing down on these fragile boats made of trees bound together was a hard and dangerous task. 

 

1st September Festa de Sant Gil o dels Pastors, Vall de Nuria

On this very special day, the Vall de Nuria looks back to the origins of the shrine of the Virgin. The same way as it happened centuries ago, shepherds hike up 2000meters to the Santuary of Nuria to give homage to their Virgin. This is a time to recall the presence of Sant Gil in this place and revive the legend. This is also a time for the shepherds and their sheepdogs to measure their abilities. 

 

23rd September Festes de Santa Tecla, Tarragona

Declared “Popular feast of National Interest” by the Parlament of Catalunya, the feast of Santa Tecla is one of the most emblematic celebrations in Catalunya. The Castells, or human Towers, the street parades, and all the traditional celebrations convert the streets of Tarragona into a permanent show during one week. 

 

9th and 12th October Setmana del Cava, Sant Sadurni d’Anoia

Organized in 1982 to promote the “Cava”, the Catalan Champagne. There is no better day to taste the different Cavas in the region, coming from more than 30 different wineries. Of course, the taste of Cava will be accompanied by the most typical gastronomic specialties from the region. 

 

7th and 14th October Fira del Bestiar i Fira del Bolet, Ribes de Freser

October is the month of the Bolets, or Mushrooms in Catalonia. In many villages, gastronomic celebrations will be organized for the “Bolets”, the mushrooms collected a few days before in the forest. If you don’t know the secret places to pick up these precious “bolets”, don’t miss this feast in Ribes de Freser. 

 

29th October Fires and Festes de Sant Narcis, Girona 

Concerts and streets parades will be organized during the main feast of Girona. It is also a good time to taste the local specialties sold in the traditional market held in the narrow streets of the medieval quarter.

 

24th - 25th of November Fira de la Ratafia, Besalu

 

La Garrotxa is a natural park full of mysteries; old sleeping volcanoes, dense oak forests, and peppered with medieval villages, some of them the best-preserved in Catalunya. The oldest of these villages, Besalu, celebrates every year an original feast dedicated to the “Ratafia”, a liquor elaborated from green nuts. On the main square of Besalu a traditional market is held for 2 days to present the local produce. A fantastic opportunity for you to discover the “Catalunya profunda” and its gastronomy. 

6th December Festa del Bisbeto, Montserrat

This is a festival dating back to medieval times.

 

Best time to visit Catalonia

May to October are preferred months to enjoy the sunny days of Barcelona. Some of the best months of the year to visit Barcelona are June and September. July is too busy to be able to see anything without never-ending queues and August is stiflingly hot - the locals all disappear, and it really is too hot and humid to enjoy anything but the beach where you can imagine the amount of the crowd.

Tarragona

  

Once the capital of the Roman province of Hispania, Tarragona is now a World Heritage site and has fantastic and well preserved Roman ruins. This former Roman capital offers a number of historical sites including churches from several different periods and a well-preserved Roman colosseum.

In the city center, the main avenue is called Rambla Nova. If you follow this avenue at the end you find a unique view from the balcony which is called Mediterranean Balcony. From there you see an unforgettable view of the sea and the beaches.

Being an old capital city of the Roman Emperor makes the city an open-air Roman ruins museum (a well preserved one).  It is totally worth visiting the well-preserved Roman aqueduct which is 4 km away from the city.

                                            

Must be seen  places/done in Tarragona:

Roman remainings include:
the 'Forum de la Colonia' (3rd century),
the Provincial Forum (1st century),
the Amphitheatre (2nd century),
the Circus (81 - 96 A.D.),
the Cathedral and churches.
the Roman Wall was built in the 2nd and 3rd centuries B.C. 


Walking around Tarragona:

• Las Ramblas
• Mediterranean Balcony

 

Cathedrals and Churches

• The Santa María Cathedral
• The Santa María del Miracle Basilica
• San Antonio Church

                                    

                                    

Churches in Tarragona Amphitheatre

• The Visigothic Basilica
• Necrópoli
• The Roman Church

Museums 

• The Roman Museum
• The National Archeological Museum
• The Museum of Modern Art
• The Diocesan Museum
• The Christian Museum Castles
• The Ferrán Castle
• The Tamarit Castle is 7 Km from Tarragona.

Towns and villages close to Tarragona
* Tortosa
* El Vendrell
* Montblanc
* Vilanova i la Geltrú
* Reus
* Valls
* Falset
* Mora de Ebre
* Gandesa

Thermal waters and baths are also famous in this city.

PS:

- If you go from Barcelona to Tarragona by train during the daytime you have an amazing view. On your left side, you see the sea and on your right side the forests. It is a wonderful trip through nature.
- Comparing to Barcelona it is a cheaper city, however, it is difficult to find anyone who can speak English. The majority of the people speak Catalan.
- Population of the Arab community is remarkably high,  as a result, it is possible to see that effect, as well.