Il Botanical Garden of Barcelona, (in Catalan Jardí Botànic) is located on the Montjuïc: created in 1999, it covers an area of about 14 hectares, immersed in a splendid setting overlooking the city and the sea. Inside there is a wide selection of plants typical of the Mediterranean climate, coming from every continent, and grouped according to their geographical origin. The Jardi is an oasis of peace a few steps from the center of Barcelona, and is an easy destination to add on a day of leisure on Montjuïc: numerous monuments and attractions are within easy reach: the Castle, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Fondació Joan Miró, the MNAC and the Poble Espanyol.
What to see in the botanical garden
The garden is divided into different geographical areas: Australia, California, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, South Africa and Chile. You can follow a main itinerary, or enter the dense network of paths, from where you can discover the most characteristic plants of the main Mediterranean environments in the world. Careful observation allows you to discover the similarities and differences developed by plants to successfully adapt to the arid Mediterranean climate.
The path has been studied and adapted to be fully accessible with strollers, moreover the landscaping of the garden is very accurate, offering the possibility to relax in an environment surrounded by greenery, reachable in a few minutes from the city center.
The best season to visit the garden is spring, when most of the plants are in bloom. Lovers of nature photography will have a wide choice of subjects at their disposal: do not miss the starry blue hyacinth plants, with stems completely covered with small flowers, and the Ficus Rubiginosa, with its characteristic aerial roots.
The historic botanical garden
On the other side of Montjuïc, behind the MNAC you can visit the ancient botanical garden of Barcelona for free, known today as Historic Botanical Garden. It is a little known place, ideal for looking for refreshments and refreshments during the hot summer days. Created in 1930 in a colder and less illuminated area, the ancient park gathers an important collection of plants of a continental climate, keeping inside the largest trees in the city. The historic garden can be reached from Plaça de Espanya (metro lines 1 and 3): from the Avinguda de Maria Cristina you have to take the escalators to the MNAC; the entrance to the garden is located behind the museum car park. Access to the historic garden is regulated at the same times as the main one.
Temporal exposures
Salvadoran
Until April 2016 it is possible to visit the Salvadorian temporal exhibition: a collection of curiosities and wonders of nature, collected over three centuries by the Salvador family. It is a scientific treasure of rare beauty, built and maintained over a long period, with specimens and objects gathered for their rarity and for their ability to generate curiosity and wonder.
Useful Information
How to reach us
The botanical garden is located in Carrer Font i Quer, 2, on the southern side of Montjuïc, towards the sea. You can reach it from the metro stop Plaza de España (lines 1 and 3), and then continue on foot to the entrance along a road of 2,5 km. Alternatively, from Plaça de Espanya there are two bus lines, 150 and 13: getting off at the Estadi Olímpic stop, you can reach the garden by walking for about ten minutes. With the tourist bus you can reach the garden by taking the red line. A popular way to reach the area is to take the Montjuïc funicular, connected with the metro station of Paral-lel (lines 2 and 3). From the Parc del Montjuïc you can walk down to the garden for about ten minutes.
Working Time
From October to March the garden is open every day from 10:00 to 17:00; from April to September the closing time extends until 19:00. The garden is closed on January 1st, May 1st, June 24th and December 25th.
Admission and tickets
Normal entrance to the garden costs € 3,50, € 5 if you also want to enter the temporary exhibition. The combined entrance to the botanical garden and the Museu Blau costs 7 euros.
People aged between 16 and 29, or over 65, are entitled to a reduced admission (paying respectively 1,70, 2,50 and 3,50 euros). Children under 16 and holders of the Barcelona Card can enjoy free entry. Access to the garden is free every first Sunday of the month, starting at 15:00 pm, and on some holidays: February 12, May 18 and September 24.
