Parc de Can Barriga

Parc de Can Barriga is a small municipal park in the Bufalà neighbourhood of Badalona, right along Avinguda de Martí Pujol. It's a quiet local green space rather than a major attraction, but it's an easy add-on to a walk through this part of the city, especially if you're after shade and greenery away from the busy seafront promenade.

Where does the name come from and what does the park look like?

The park takes its name from the former Can Barriga estate, part of whose land it now occupies. It was opened to the public in 1993. Two historic farmhouse buildings from the original estate, along with their surrounding grounds, still stand today — they now house a special education school, which is why the park sits directly next to that institution.

The park is compact, covering roughly 0.52 hectares, and is laid out over two levels. It's bordered by Avinguda de Martí Pujol and the streets of Tànger and Xaloc. Entrances were designed with accessibility in mind, so getting in is straightforward from any of the surrounding streets, including for visitors with reduced mobility.

What will you find inside?

The grounds are organised into three distinct zones. The section facing Avinguda de Martí Pujol is covered in grass and low shrub vegetation — the greenest part of the park. The middle zone has sandy ground and is where you'll find children's play areas and rest spots with benches, making it the part where families tend to gather. The third zone is a gentle slope descending toward Tànger street, adding some natural variation to the terrain.

The planting mixes Mediterranean species — pines and oaks — with more exotic trees such as jacarandas and pepper trees. One notable detail: the park is irrigated with water drawn from the Can Barriga well, which it shares with the neighbouring Nelson Mandela park, a reminder that both green spaces grew out of the same old agricultural estate.

How do you get there?

The park sits on Avinguda de Martí Pujol, one of Badalona's main arteries, so it's easy to reach by public transport. Bus lines B2, B6 and B9 all stop nearby, making it a simple trip from the city centre or other neighbourhoods. For those on foot or by bike, the park makes a convenient stop on routes connecting the inner city with areas further from the coast.

When should you visit?

Given its modest size and low-key character, Parc de Can Barriga works best as a spot for a short break during the day — a morning stroll, an afternoon with kids at the play area, or a few minutes in the shade during the hot summer months. The Mediterranean planting keeps the park shaded for most of the year, so it's a pleasant stop in any season, though spring and summer make the most of the greenery and shade on offer.

Frequently asked questions

Is Parc de Can Barriga good for a walk with kids? Yes — the sandy middle section of the park has play areas and rest zones, making it a convenient spot for families with young children.

What's the easiest way to reach the park without a car? By bus. Lines B2, B6 and B9 all stop right along Avinguda de Martí Pujol, next to the park.

Is the park accessible for people with disabilities? Yes, the entrances were designed to be accessible for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.

How does this park differ from the neighbouring Nelson Mandela park? The two parks sit side by side and share irrigation water from the Can Barriga well, but Can Barriga is smaller and more intimate, centred on the site of a former agricultural estate, while Nelson Mandela park is a separate, adjoining green space.