Retiro Park and Park Güell top the list of Europe’s most popular parks, according to data from activity booking platform Musement, which analyzed more than 3,800 outdoor attractions across Europe based on the number of reviews received. on Google.
Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to enjoy outdoor experiences, especially if they can be done in the midst of nature. Urban parks, gardens and natural attractions are ideal places to enjoy the long days of the summer season and, at times, seek shelter from the scorching temperatures.
The great biodiversity and great beauty of many of these green areas make them true tourist attractions, many of them unmissable in their respective locations. The good news is that, both in Spain and the rest of Europe, there is no shortage of great options.
The Retiro Park in Madrid, with more than 153,000 reviews, leads the ranking of the most famous natural parks and attractions in Europe, according to data analyzed by the Musement platform.
Although in its infancy this huge green area belonged to the Spanish monarchy, it has been a public space since the end of the 19th century. On 125 hectares, nature lovers can stroll through the beautiful gardens such as the Parterre or the Rosaleda, while culture enthusiasts will love the exhibitions in the Crystal Palace, the statue of the Fallen Angel and the monument to Alfonso XII.
Park Güell has become one of the undisputed symbols of Barcelona, as well as one of the most popular places among tourists visiting the city.
Its significance is that since 1984 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with 6 other works by Antoni Gaudí. To the architectural beauty of the main staircase, the Hipóstila Room or the famous undulating seat of the Plaza de la Naturaleza, we must add the enormous botanical diversity found in this green space.
A third favorite among European parks, Hyde Park in London, covering an area of over 140 hectares, is one of London’s 8 royal parks. In addition to strolling, sunbathing or relaxing in front of the Serpentine Lake, the park is home to many culturally significant monuments, fountains and statues. One of the most famous areas is Speakers Corner, located at the northwest end of the park, near Marble Arch.
Public speeches and debates have been held here since the mid-19th century, and historical figures such as Karl Marx, Vladimir Lenin and George Orwell have rallied in this part of Hyde Park in favor of free speech.
Luxembourg Gardens, Paris (France) is one of the most beautiful green spaces in Paris, and its creation dates back to 1612, when Queen Maria de Medicis ordered its construction to complement the Luxembourg Palace.
Currently, 21 of the 23 hectares are open to the public, in which two different types of parks are clearly appreciated: the English and the French. Strolling through the rose garden, admiring the orchid collection in the greenhouse and contemplating the more than 100 statues scattered throughout the garden are just some of the many things to do in these gardens located between the Latin Quarter and the Saint-Germain Quarter. un-Pres.
The fifth place in the ranking goes to another public park in Paris: the Jardin des Tuileries, located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. When Catherine de Medici ordered the construction of the Tuileries Palace in 1564, she wanted to accompany it with splendid gardens, and although the palace was destroyed many years later by the Paris Commune, the gardens were saved.
Today, it is a place full of life, where Parisians and tourists come to stroll, relax by the ponds, admire the French garden designed by André Le Nôtre or admire the sculptures by Maillol and Rodin.
The Prater Park in Vienna, opened to the public in 1766, is one of the other places chosen by Europeans for leisure. Inside it is the Wurstelprater amusement park, where the famous Vienna Ferris wheel is located. On the other hand, the part of the “Green Prater” has large wooded and grassy areas, ideal for walking, cycling, picnicking or simply resting and breathing fresh air.
In Europe there are over 400 national parks, and the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia are one of the most spectacular. Strolling along the trails and trails that connect the park’s 16 main lakes is an experience hard to forget. These natural wonders have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979.
The largest park in Warsaw, Royal Lazienki Park was designed in a Baroque style by architect Tylman van Gameren. Currently in the 76-hectare park there are three distinct sections created at different times: the Royal Garden (18th century), the Romantic Garden (19th century) and the Modernist Garden (20th century).
In addition to the botanical wealth, the park is also famous for housing historic buildings such as the Palácio da Ilha or the Casa Branca, although the jewel in the crown is the Chopin Monument, dedicated to the famous composer.
Villa Borghese is one of the most visited gardens in Rome, and the perfect fusion of art and nature largely explains its success. Cardinal Scipione Borghese began transforming and expanding the area where the park now stands at the end of the 16th century, with the aim of making it a symbol of the grandeur and prestige of the Borghese family.
In 1902, the park became the property of the Italian state and a year later it was opened to the public. In addition to strolling through the beautiful gardens and admiring the panoramic views of Rome, Villa Borghese has many other attractions, such as the Borghese Gallery, whose collection includes works by artists such as Bernini, Canova or Caravaggio.
Close another top 10 Italian attractions, the Sempione Park in Milan. This urban oasis, covering more than 40 hectares, is located next to the Sforzesco Castle, one of the most important monuments in the city.
Inside the park there is a small artificial lake and, in addition to the grassy areas, there are many species of trees from all over the world, whose shade is the perfect refuge during hot summer days. Other points of interest worth visiting in Sempione include the Arch of Peace, the Triennale, the Civic Aquarium and the White Tower.
