Ciutadella Park

"“And here’s the Arc de Triomf”—a phrase you might not expect to hear in Barcelona. It gets even more confusing when you discover that the monumental stone gateway at the entrance of Parc de la Ciutadella (which indeed shares a name with the French landmark), was actually supposed to be the Eiffel Tower. True story: The Barcelona council rejected Gustave Eiffel’s design, leading him to pitch it to Paris. Inside the Ciutadella? The core is a tree-lined boulevard with couples promenading, kids running, street artists blowing giant bubbles, locals training their dogs, students sunbathing on the grassy banks, and older folk watching on. The site is vast: few parks could house a city’s zoo and its regional parliament, let alone put them next door to each other, which is the case here. Other beautiful structures that are open for strolling include the cast iron Umbracle, where arched roofs shade verdant kentia palms, fig trees and giant elephant’s ears; the recently restored Hivernacle, a spectacularly decorated 135-year-old greenhouse; and the natural sciences museum, Centre Martorell d’Exposicions." - Gemma Askham

"Fountains, Zoos, and Museums at Parc de la Cuitadella “One of the biggest parks in Barcelona , Parc de la Cuitadella is situated near the port and for years was one of the city’s only green spaces. Today it is home to a zoo, a lake, a lovely fountain, as well as a few museums. This is also the home of the Catalan Parliament, which is housed in a beautiful early 18th-century building.” —Primavera music founder Pablo Soler on the El Bron neighborhood. Read more about his local's take on Barcelona ."

"Tucked inside the Parc de la Ciutadella is a waterfall designed by Gaudí. When he was a student, he designed the water tank and hydraulics for a grand new city fountain called Cascada Monumental, under the auspices of craftsman Josep Fontserè, who collaborated with more than 10 Catalan artists to create an energetic display of waterspouts and stone-carved clams and dragons. The true camera-grabber is a blingy gold sculpture of Aurora (who represents dawn in Roman mythology) riding four horses. Parc de la Ciutadella is one of the city’s most relaxing and picturesque spots to relax. Plus, it’s free. And if the kids need more activity there's a zoo nearby as well." - Gemma Askham