Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies

Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies is one of the most distinctive parks in Barcelona's Poble-sec neighborhood, part of the wider Sants-Montjuïc district. The name comes from three tall brick chimneys, the only surviving remnants of the former La Canadenca power station, once run by the Barcelona Traction, Light and Power Company. Spread over more than 10,000 square meters, the park blends urban greenery with industrial history and street art.

How do you get there?

The easiest way is by metro. Paral·lel station, served by lines L2 and L3, sits just a two-minute walk from the garden entrance on Avinguda del Paral·lel. That makes the park easy to reach both from the city center and from the port area or Montjuïc hill, which rises right next to it.

What will you see inside?

The park's main draw is a set of concrete walls of different shapes and sizes that have functioned as a legal street art space since 2012, part of the Murs Lliures project run by the Rebobinart association together with Barcelona City Council. The murals change often — practically every week a new artist repaints a section — so the park is sometimes described as an open-air street art museum that never looks the same twice.

Beyond the mural gallery, the former power station grounds also hold a skate park, a playground, and ping-pong tables, making it a popular gathering spot for local teenagers and families with kids. The three chimneys themselves — the most recognizable feature of the Poble-sec skyline — stand on raised ground and offer a vantage point over the surrounding city blocks.

Why does this place matter historically?

The La Canadenca power station played a notable role in Spain's labor history. It was here, in 1919, that a strike began which, after weeks of disruption, forced the Spanish government to introduce the eight-hour working day — one of the first such laws in the world. Today the surviving industrial architecture sits alongside greenery and art, creating an unusual mix of labor history, urban planning, and street culture.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is open year-round and free to enter. Daytime visits work best, when the colors of the murals and the view over the city from the upper part of the grounds are easiest to appreciate. Given its proximity to Montjuïc, it's worth combining a visit with a walk up the hill, for example to the nearby Mirador del Poble-sec, which looks out over Passeig de Colom and the port of Barcelona.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee for the gardens? No, Jardins de les Tres Xemeneies is a public city park and admission is completely free, open every day.

What's the fastest way to get there? Take metro line L2 or L3 to Paral·lel station, then walk two minutes to the entrance on Avinguda del Paral·lel.

What makes this park stand out in Barcelona? The combination of industrial history — the three chimneys of the former La Canadenca power station — with a legal street art gallery that changes weekly, plus an on-site skate park.

Is the park suitable for children? Yes, there's a playground and ping-pong tables on site, and the open layout makes it easy for families to walk around together.