Mount Montjuïc is so popular with tourists that many even choose those hotels in Barcelona that are closest to the mountain. It's all about the abundance of attractions in the area. One of them is the Botanical Garden, which was opened in 1999. People come here in search of quiet after visiting the fortress and touring the Spanish Village, and it is an ideal place for a holiday with children.
Barcelona's botanical garden differs strikingly from its counterparts in other Spanish cities. It is laid on steep slopes, and the designers made the most of this landscape feature. Although visitors don't have to navigate the steep climbs, the relief is accentuated by the angular terraces and broken lines of the paths. Surprisingly, this does not disturb the natural beauty of nature in the slightest.
The Montjuïc garden is unique because it features plants typical of Mediterranean climates. However, you will see not only flora from the Mediterranean basin but also Africa, Australia, South America and North America.
Some plants deserve a special mention. These include the banksia, covered in unique flowers that can survive fires, the bread palm, which appeared on Earth simultaneously with the dinosaurs, and the Hyacinth of Peru (Scilla peruviana), which never grew in Peru and got its name by mistake. Don't miss the stone pine (umbrella pine), which grows in several places in the botanical gardens. Incidentally, the pines are pretty old, growing in the area even before the botanical garden was established. The Botanical Garden also has rusty-leaved ficus, which grows roots on its branches and turns into thick trunks when it reaches the ground.
The Barcelona Botanical Gardens often have temporary plant exhibitions. Games are waiting for children in the garden, during which young visitors gradually acquire new knowledge about plants, learn to observe nature and unravel its secrets. After a tour, you can buy an unusual souvenir from the shop, such as a pendant or a bracelet made from the fruit of the trees.
If you do encounter bad weather, umbrellas and mackintoshes will be provided. And if the weather's fine, don't hurry home. In the evening, the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc has a light and music show with a sense of magic.
