Visit parc del Guinardois one of Barcelona's largest public parks.
Although the park is very quiet, the path leading to it is a real challenge to walk.
In fact, it's located on rather steep hills.
Today, I'd like to tell you about this little-known tourist attraction.
Parc Del Guinardo: article summary
Parc Del Guinardo at a glance
Before the end of the XIXᵉ century, the Horta-Guinardo neighborhood functioned as an autonomous village. With the advent of the XXᵉ century, it was included within Barcelona's bordersmarking the city's north-western boundary. The area offers access to a number of fabulous natural landscapes, including Parc del Carmel, Parc del Laberint d'Horta and, of course, Parc del Guinardo.
The latter extends over a vast stretch of sloping land from Turo de la Rovira to Avinguda de la Mare de Deu de Montserratwith the main entrance on the Place del Nen de la Rutlla. I'm sure you'll easily recognize it from the the emblematic statue of a child spinning a hoop in the middle of a flower circle.
Another interesting fact is the park's name. The name "Guinardo" is linked to an old house near the park called Mas Guinardo. Although the origin of the word "Guinardo" alone can be traced back to "guinarda", which in turn can be traced back to "guinardo". means "fox" in the ancient Catalan language.
Inside the park: the part overlooking the city
When the park was first opened to the public in 1918, it looked nothing like it does today. A major renovation was carried out in 2007, but what you'll see today on the lower level of Parc del Guinardo is the result of the 1977 redesign.
The landscape architects were Lluís Riudor i Carol and Joaquim M. Casamor i d'Espona, and their design included extending the park area all the way to the Place del Nen de la Rutlla, which eventually, with all the well-tended hedges, several "floors" with staircases and plenty of banks to sit and relax under the crowns of all the fresh trees growing around.
Majestic Aleppo pines, thick mulberry trees, olive and elm trees lend their shade to passers-by. As you climb the stairs, continuing along a series of multiple embankments, you'll finally reach the historical part.
The historic part of Parque el Guinardo
This part of the park has been designed as a tranquil garden with many wonderful features of natural landscape architecture, including attributed to Nicolas Forestier.
It opens onto a beautiful spring called Font del Cuento. It's a truly magical spot, adding to the lush atmosphere of this section of the park, and if you follow the steps and paths, you'll notice that the course is aligned with the stream that runs through the area, leading to a small water reservoir at the top.
This reservoir also marks the first observation deck. From here, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the city. Bear in mind, however, that even better views await you a little further on.
The heights of Del Guinardo Park
This part of Parc del Guinardo is the largest of the three. The steep slopes are covered with thick woods, creating a truly stunning formation. A sort of amphitheatrical grove of tall trees surrounds the highest part of the historic section.
The forest continues up the hill, interspersed with paths and plains. Here you can see people cycling, playing with their dogs or simply picnicking in the Catalan sunshine.
I recommend staying until evening. The cityscape after dusk is splendid.
How do I get there?
Visit bus 28 will take you directly from the Place de Catalunya to the park's highest point. However, other buses also bring you closer to Del Guinardo Park. These include bus routes 31, 32, 39, 55, 74 and 117.
Practical information about Parc Del Guinardo
The park is open 24/7. You can also free admissionSo don't worry about the timing.
If you go in summer, the journey to the top can take a while. Indeed, if you want to walk in the heat to the top of the park, you'll quickly run out of breath.
Parc Del Guinardo is a wonderful place to visit if you're on vacation in Barcelona. Less well known to tourists and much appreciated by locals, it's a typical place that will make your stay in the city an exceptional experience.
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