You don’t have to get off-the-beaten-path to enjoy nature in Europe. Just combine a city break with a city park visit. This way you can enjoy all the comforts of a large city, like first-class accommodation, dining and culture but also admire the spring bloom. Plan to wander through these 11 beautiful city parks in Europe this spring.
Once a private garden reserved for royalty, Madrid’s Retiro combines picturesque greenery with classic architecture. Water spills down from sculpted fountains as almost 20,000 trees sway lightly in the breeze. The lake, flanked by columns and a large monument, is the park’s focal point. Don’t miss the Crystal Palace, a structure made almost entirely of glass that houses ever-changing art exhibits.
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Amsterdam’s largest park is best explored on bike, where you can join other cyclists in admiring the expansive greenery. Keep your eyes peeled for a statue called ‘Fish,’ created by none other than Pablo Picasso. A stop at the park’s rose garden allows visitors to gaze upon 70+ varieties of roses.
Built in 1888, the parks strategic location next to the popular attractions of the Sforza Castle and the Peace Arch ensure tourists see a little green in between monument-hopping. With a small lake and some flowers, the park also has an abundance of green lawn space just right for a picnic. The tree-lined promenades, which were once built for carriages, are the perfect place for a romantic stroll.
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Known as one of the most enchanting natural spaces in the French capital, the Luxembourg Gardens is set next to the idyllic Luxembourg Palace. The park is home to over 100 statues as well as a number of fountains. The flower beds are perfectly manicured and exquisitely French, and the small pond is the best place to take children.
Zurich’s MFO Park combines contemporary architecture with nature. The structure has the form of a conservatory, but with no glass, and green ivy climbing up along the steel frame. One of the newest and most unique parks on this list, visiting MFO for a walk is a must-do when in Zurich.
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Towering above the Edinburgh castle and historic center, the Holyrood Park will make you feel like you’ve landed in the Scottish Highlands, but in reality, you’re just a mile from the city center. Once a royal hunting estate, the hilly cliffs and craggy ravines are surprisingly wild for a city park. Make sure to see the park’s highest point, Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano.
The whimsical structures designed by Antoni Gaudi make Park Güell a very unique place to visit. Meander past flowers, trees, giant gingerbread houses, tiled benches reflecting the sunlight, even a giant mosaic lizard as you soak in the mystical mood the park emits. Top it off by visiting during sunset for the incredible views of central Barcelona and its coastline.
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Once a garden used for Pagan worship, the garden became a Christian exhibition set up by monks in 1469. Besides the usual suspects like a plethora of trees and flora, the monastery garden, full of tea plants and medicinal herbs is especially interesting. Children will love rides on the carousel and playing on the giant chessboard.
One of London’s largest and most regal parks, this green space is all about freedom. A haven for protesters, make sure to visit Speaker’s Corner, which has been the site of animated citizens shouting out for their rights since 1862. Don’t forget to see the Wellington Arch, one of the more distinguished entrance ways to the park.
Slightly more tropical than some of the other parks on this list, visitors can watch palm trees sway in the sunshine or observe ducks paddle across the pond. In typical Greek fashion, there are even some ancient ruins, including crumbling Corinthian columns.
With a rose garden home to over 14,000 plants, plus a pond, a manor house and a monolith, you could spend all day wandering around Frogner Park. Don’t miss taking in the famous Vigeland sculpture installation, which features 212 bronze statues created by artist Gustav Vigeland.
