Parc de Collserola

Behind Tibidabo's iconic outline, there lies a wealth of woodland and fields: a protected Natural Park where a wide variety of Mediterranean flora and fauna brings us into contact with nature just 15 minutes away from the bustling city. This is Barcelona's great green "lung"

As a city facing the Mediterranean, Barcelona needs the Parc de Collserola, which stretches out behind it like a great green "lung" providing the metropolis with oxygen. Here you can enjoy nature in 8,000 hectares of protected parkland. The Mediterranean climate and varied relief of the land makes the park a thriving site for mixed woodland, with many examples of white pines and evergreen oaks, as well as riverside copses which alternate with farmland and brush. The park is home to some 190 species of vertebrates, including squirrels, foxes and the occasional wild boar, as well as a wide variety of bird life.

The Carretera de les Aigües and the purpose-built viewing points boast superb views of both sides of the ridge: Barcelona and the Vallès. Visitors curious about the park's history will discover that it is a small natural museum. There are traces of early settlements, including the Iberian village of Serra del Moro, the Gothic castles of Castellciuró and El Papiol, the church of Santa Maria and old farmhouses, such as the famous Vil·la Joana. The abundant natural springs, including La Budellera, are among the many visitor options in the park.

The Collserola Information Centre runs nature trails and guided activities throughout the park as well as stargazing nights. These provide an introduction to observing the night sky and combine theoretical explanations (defining what stars are, the differences between the planets, associated myths) with watching the sky in the open air and identifying constellations with the naked eye and through a telescope.