Jardins de Ramon Margalef i López

Jardins de Ramon Margalef i López is a small but botanically remarkable park in Barcelona, tucked between the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium and the Picornell swimming pools on Montjuïc hill. With roughly 230 plant species from five continents growing within its grounds, it ranks among the city's most interesting green spaces from a botanical standpoint, even though it draws far fewer visitors than the neighboring Montjuïc attractions.

Where did these gardens come from?

The site's story begins in 1930, when landscape architect Nicolau Maria Rubió i Tudurí established an acclimatization garden on land that had previously hosted the Italian and Swedish pavilions of the 1929 International Exposition. The goal was to test which plant species from distant climate zones could adapt to Barcelona's conditions and enrich the flora of the city's parks. The work continued until 1937, when the Spanish Civil War brought it to a halt.

After the Second World War, in 1945, the project was picked up again by Lluís Riudor, then director of Barcelona's green spaces, together with botanist Joan Pañella. They carried on planting new specimens through the 1980s, gradually expanding the collection with species brought in from across the globe.

Why is it named after Ramon Margalef?

For decades the garden operated as the Montjuïc Acclimatization Garden (Jardí d'Aclimatació de Montjuïc). Its current name honors Ramon Margalef i López (1919–2004), one of Catalonia's most important scientists and a central figure in twentieth-century ecology worldwide. Margalef's research spanned limnology, oceanography and ecology, resulting in hundreds of scientific publications, and he was the first-ever recipient of the prestigious Huntsman Award, often described as the Nobel Prize of oceanography.

What is there to see?

The gardens' main draw is the sheer diversity of their plant life, with species originating from South America, Asia, Africa, Australia and Oceania growing alongside Mediterranean vegetation. A network of paths invites visitors to stroll quietly among trees and shrubs of exotic origin, away from the crowds gathered near the stadium or the Olympic pools nearby. This is a spot for anyone looking for a calm encounter with nature rather than a conventional tourist attraction with facilities or viewpoints.

Getting there and practical notes

The gardens sit along Avinguda de l'Estadi, right next to the Olympic Stadium, making them an easy addition to a Montjuïc itinerary alongside the Joan Miró Foundation, the National Palace or the Botanical Garden. Admission is free, and the park does not follow the strict opening hours typical of paid attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to the gardens free? Yes, entry is free, as with most municipal parks on Montjuïc.

How many plant species grow in the gardens? An estimated 230 species, originating from various climate zones around the world.

Who was Ramon Margalef? A Catalan ecologist, oceanographer and limnologist, considered one of the most influential scientists in twentieth-century ecology, and recipient of the Huntsman Award among other honors.

How old is this garden? The first plantings date back to 1930, with work on the collection continuing intermittently through the 1980s.