Collserola Park (Parc de Collserola)

The Basics

Locals visit Collserola Natural Park for its green space, but visitors flock here for views from the highest point in the Serra de Collserolas—1,680-foot-high Mount Tibidabo. Aside from its sweeping vistas, the mountain’s main draws are an amusement park and the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, an immaculate Roman-Gothic church that overlooks the city. The park also boasts an observation tower with panoramic views, a small house museum, and 14-century castle ruins.

Climb Mount Tibidabo on a walking tour, or zip up the hill faster on a guided, self-driven, electric car tour. You can also opt to enjoy the outdoors on a sunrise hike, or head out in the afternoon to explore and enjoy a gourmet picnic of Spanish and Catalan delicacies.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The park sits on top of a hill. Be prepared for a lot of walking and occasional steep inclines.

• Mount Tibidabo is an ideal attraction for families. Kids will love the amusement park rides, and everyone will enjoy the expansive views.

• Barcelona has great weather most of the time, but it can get windy in the park, especially on Mount Tibidabo. Wear sunscreen, and hang on to your hats and scarves.

• Keep an eye out for wildlife while exploring the park—squirrels, foxes, and wild boar are often spotted.

• The park’s network of trails is ideal for hiking, biking, jogging, and birdwatching.

How to Get There

There are a number of ways to get to Collserola Natural Park. Take Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) trains ES, S1, or S2 and stop at Peu del Funicular, Baixador de Vallvidrera, Les Planes, or La Floresta, all of which are located within the park. From Peu del Funicular, you can ride the funicular up to Mount Tibidabo. You can also take metro lines L3, L4, and L11 to Trinitat Nova station, located just outside the northeastern edge of the park.

When to Get There

While Mount Tibidabo is popular, the rest of Collserola Natural Park is one of Barcelona’s hidden treasures. Don’t be surprised if you only bump into a few people while you’re exploring.

A Top-Notch View

Located just southwest of Mount Tibidabo, the Collserola Tower (Torre de Collserola) is a 945-foot-tall telecommunications tower originally built for the 1992 Olympic Games. The tower has the highest observation deck in the city, and you can take a glass elevator to the 10th floor for a panoramic view. On a clear day, you can see for more than 40 miles around, all the way to Montserrat and the Cadí and Moixeró mountain ranges.