Parc de la Ciutadella

Parc de la Ciutadella is a public park in central Barcelona created on the site of a former 18th-century military citadel and opened in the late 19th century. It serves as one of the city’s principal green spaces and contains monuments, museums and the municipal zoo.

Key attractions within the park include a large ornamental fountain and cascade, the city zoo, a boating lake and several museum buildings. The park’s lawns, avenues and shaded paths are commonly used for leisure, events and informal recreation by residents and visitors.

The citadel that once occupied the site was constructed in the early 18th century and largely demolished in the 19th century when the area was converted into a public park; later 19th-century works completed the park’s layout and buildings in time for international exhibitions. Elements of the earlier military layout influenced the park’s plan.

Located in the Ciutat Vella district, the park sits between El Born and the Eixample near Arc de Triomf and the Estació del Nord transport hub, within easy walking distance of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter and the waterfront.

• Size: The park covers roughly 17 hectares and combines landscaped lawns, formal gardens and waterways, making it a popular green space in central Barcelona.
• Visiting tips: Access is easiest from Arc de Triomf metro and Estació del Nord; mornings and late afternoons are best to avoid crowds around the zoo and fountain.

What to See #

• La Cascada: A large ornamental fountain at the park's northern edge featuring sculpture, cascades and a broad flight of steps; the design is by Josep Fontserè with contributions from later artists.
• Barcelona Zoo: Barcelona's municipal zoo located within the park, established in the late 19th century and containing long-running collections and historic enclosures.
• Parliament and formal gardens: The green square adjacent to the park that hosts the **Catalan Parliament** building and formal gardens used for public events and demonstrations.