The Parc del Laberint d’Horta is an incredible neoclassical garden, dating back to the 18th century. Located on the slopes of the Sierra de Collserola Natural Park, this park has a spectacular natural setting both inside its walls and its surroundings.
You can enjoy a wonderful morning or afternoon strolling along its paths, entering its magical garden and discovering the many statues inspired by Greek mythology. It is also an ideal place to enjoy a day out with the family, where you can do numerous activities and even have a picnic. You will love it!
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History of the Parc del Laberint d’Horta
The Horta Labyrinth Park is located on the slopes of Collserola, on the grounds of a famous estate belonging to the Marquis of Llupià. The entire garden was planted by the French gardener Devalvet. Initially, this park was owned by the Desvalls family until the 1960s, when it was ceded to the city council.
The Parc del Laberint d’Horta was then opened to the public in 1971, undergoing a major restoration in 1994. Designed by Joan Antoni Desvalls, it is a park that holds a lot of Barcelona’s history.
In this park you can walk through 750 metres of cypress trees, whose design was inspired by the famous myth of Theseus. Legend has it that whoever manages to reach the centre of the labyrinth is rewarded with love.
The park is about nine hectares in size and is divided into two parts: the Romantic Garden on the one hand and the Neoclassical Garden on the other. This place is characterised by its neoclassical and romantic design, as well as drawing inspiration from Greco-Roman mythology in the form of reliefs, sculptures and the cypress labyrinth.
What to see in the Laberint d’Horta?
When visiting the Laberint d’Horta you can see the different iconic spots that make up this park. Pass through the different gardens and discover its beautiful monuments. Read on to discover them all!
Romantic Garden
Firstly, we recommend visiting the Romantic Garden. Here you can clearly see the main theme: death. There used to be a cemetery in this garden, although today only the ruins remain.
When walking through this garden, you will come across many symbolic points that you mustn’t miss. These include the famous Chinese Gate or Oriental Garden, as well as the peculiar Hermit’s Hut, which was once inhabited by a person who pretended to be a monk. The art will totally fascinate you.
Desvalls’ Mansion
The Desvalls Palace is another of the places you will fall in love with on your visit to the Horta Labyrinth. You can find it at the entrance to the park, so as soon as you arrive you’ll be able to admire its spectacular architectural features.
Firstly, you will find its defensive tower, which dates back to the 8th century. You can also visit the Laberint d’Horta Training Centre, located inside the palace’s main building. It is a three-storey structure where people come to do courses on landscaping and gardening.
Behind the palace you can stroll through the Boxwood Garden, where a series of shrubs and reliefs depict scenes from classical mythology.
Neoclassical Garden
Last but not least is the Neoclassical Garden. Unlike the Romantic Garden, the theme of this one revolves around love. You can walk through the three different sections: the labyrinth, the lower levels and the upper levels.
What you will love most about this garden are its many works of art, from the staircases and ponds to its impressive fountains, mythological sculptures and even artificial grottoes. You will feel immersed in a completely magical atmosphere.
How to get to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta?
There are three convenient ways to get to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta:
– The first option is to take the metro, specifically the green line. You have to get off at the Mundet stop.
– The second option is to take the car. Take exit 4 towards Ronda de Dalt. Once you get to the park, you can park in a car park very close to the Horta Velodrome.
– Finally, you can get there by bus on lines 27, 60, 70 and 76.
What to see in the area around the Laberint d’Horta?
There are several places you can visit nearby after your trip to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta. Here are just a few of them:
Subirana Tower
The Subirana Tower is on the outskirts of the Horta Labyrinth, just a minute’s walk from the entrance. This structure is part of the urban wall of Bagà, a Spanish Historical Heritage Site, so don’t hesitate to come and see it after your visit to the park!
Horta viewpoint
Just a 23-minute walk from the park you can go to the fantastic Mirador d’Horta, where you can enjoy splendid views of the city of Barcelona. This viewpoint is located on top of a hill, in an idyllic natural setting. We recommend visiting at sunset.
Another thing you can see near this site is the Barcelona Swing, one of the best places for children and adults alike. The views are incredible and the sensation of swinging, even more so!
How to plan your visit to the Parc del Laberint d’Horta?
Download the Passporter app:
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save your tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other that you indicate.
- Find out the best travel option for each place.
- Save and publish your own photos and experiences as you go along, so that when someone asks you “How was your visit to Parc del Laberint d’Horta?” you can reply “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter!”
If you want to learn more about how to get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions
In winter, the park is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, while the summer opening hours are from 10:00 to 20:00.
General admission to the park costs €2.23, while reduced admission is €1.42. Entry is free every Wednesday and Sunday, while residents of the Horta district can also enter for free.
Some of the most popular places to take photos in the park are the labyrinth, the temples of Danae and Ariadne with the labyrinth in the background, the courtyard in front of the Palacete de los Desvalls, and finally the Romantic Canal and the Flower Garden. You can take incredible photos in the most spectacular surroundings.
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