5 Places to Picnic in Barcelona

Originally published September 2016, updated April 4, 2022.

As the days get longer and the weather warms, we start counting down the days until our next vacation. It’s easy to forget that there are little urban escapes right around the corner. Here's our list of five peaceful places to picnic in Barcelona to feed your need for the great outdoors.

• Jardins del Palau de Pedralbes

  Lush, well-maintained gardens surround the Palau Reial—the royal family’s Barcelona residence during the early 20th century. The gardens boast multiple expansive lawns and impressive courtyards with fountains surrounded by bamboo, cypress and pine trees. Just behind the park, on the corner of Avinguda de Pedralbes, sits Finca Güell, one of Gaudí’s lesser-known but equally spectacular developments. Open every day from 10:00 to dusk.

• Parc de Cervantes

  This gorgeous rose garden extends to the foot of the Pedralbes hills and provides quiet respite from the busy Avinguda Diagonal. Stone walkways take you between palm trees and below wooden arches adorned with twisting vines. There are 245 rose varieties and over 10,000 rose bushes on display throughout the park’s four hectares, and, while they are most spectacular in spring when in full bloom, you’ll find blossoms and greenery year round. Open every day from 10:00 to dusk.

• Parc de l’Oreneta

  Sprawling over 17 hilly hectares between Collserola and the city, pines, cedars and evergreen oaks tower over dirt paths that wind along the mountain in Parc de l’Oreneta. Families ride horses in the park and scoot along in the miniature steam train. In the upper area of the park, you’ll find the remnants of a castle built in 1910 that was destroyed in the Civil War. The center of the park has been converted into a picnic area with dozens of tables and panoramic sea and city views. Open every day from 10:00 to dusk.

• Jardins de la Universitat

  The Jardí Ferran Soldevila, most commonly known as the Jardins de la Universitat, is nestled in the heart of the Eixample surrounding the university’s most iconic building. Ivy creeps up the metal and stone walls, and ferns and thick grass cover the ground. Tall sycamores, oaks, pines, cypress and carob trees—some of the oldest in the city—provide shade and infuse the air with rich fragrance. The historic building, dating back to 1871, has a beautiful interior courtyard with a still pond, a perfect place to take a break from the busy work day. Open weekdays (except public holidays) from 8:00 to 21:30.

• Jardins Mossen Cinto Verdaguer

  This park is a true gem of Montjuïc. The main entrance opens up onto a large floral emblem of the city’s coat of arms. Throughout the park, stone stairways guide you up the hill toward marvelous city and sea views. The stairway on the western edge is lined with fountains on either side—ascending square, stone ponds filled with water lilies and other aquatic plants. Tulip beds are scattered throughout, adding a splash of vibrant color against a green backdrop of eucalyptus and cedar trees. Open every day from 10:00 to dusk.