Jardins de la Tamarita

Jardins de la Tamarita is a small, quiet park in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district of Barcelona, the kind of green pocket most visitors stumble upon rather than seek out deliberately.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The garden sits in the upper part of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, close to other green spaces in the district and high enough to offer glimpses back toward the city center. The easiest approach is by metro to one of the stations serving the northern part of the neighborhood, followed by a short uphill walk – the terrain here is hilly, so expect a bit of a climb. City buses also stop within a reasonable distance of the entrance. Admission is free, and opening hours follow the usual pattern for Barcelona's public gardens, generally from morning until dusk, with seasonal variations.

What is the history behind this place?

The land occupied by today's garden once formed part of an estate belonging to the Craywinckel family, a Belgian-descended lineage that had settled in Barcelona back in the 18th century. In the early 20th century, the roughly two-hectare property was purchased by Alfredo Mata, a cotton industrialist. Mata commissioned a Noucentista-style house, completed in 1919, and a year earlier, in 1918, hired landscape architect Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí to design the grounds – one of the earliest projects of his career, in which he retained much of the site's original planting and layout.

The estate also carries a darker chapter: during the Spanish Civil War it was used as a so-called "checa," an informal detention and interrogation site run by pro-Soviet factions, where people considered enemies of the Republican cause were held. After the war, both house and garden fell into neglect for decades, closed off and largely forgotten.

The turning point came in the 1990s: the property passed into public ownership in 1993, and between 1994 and 1995 it underwent a thorough restoration overseen by architect Antoni Falcón. Since then, the garden has functioned as a public green space open to residents and visitors alike.

What will you see there?

The park has kept the feel of an early 20th-century private residential estate rather than a sprawling public garden. It's compact, with an uneven, sloping layout, and the Noucentista house still anchors the landscape as its visual focal point. The changes in elevation across the grounds create a few distinct vantage points and shifting views of the greenery as you walk through. This is a place better suited to a slow stroll than to a guided tour – there are no headline attractions, just quiet, greenery, and a history that isn't obvious at first glance.

When is the best time to visit?

The garden can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions, with mild temperatures and particularly lush vegetation. In summer, early morning or late afternoon visits help avoid the peak heat. Thanks to its modest size and local character, the park rarely gets crowded, making it a good alternative to Barcelona's more famous, tourist-heavy gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is admission to Jardins de la Tamarita free? Yes, entry is free, just like most other municipal parks in Barcelona.

How much time should I plan for a visit? It's a small garden, so a relaxed walk taking in the architecture and greenery usually takes about 20–40 minutes.

Can you go inside the house on the grounds? The 1919 Noucentista house is a key landscape feature, but interior access can be limited – it's worth checking current conditions on site.

Is it a good spot for families with children? Given its calm atmosphere and uneven terrain, the garden works well for a short, relaxing walk, though it isn't a playground or a typical family attraction.