Parc de la Mediterrània

Parc de la Mediterrània is the largest park in Badalona, a Catalan city just north of Barcelona, spread across a hilltop roughly 200 meters above sea level in the Les Guixeres neighborhood. Covering some 35 hectares, it dwarfs every other green space in the city — and its backstory is unusual: the ground visitors now walk on was, until the late 1990s, a municipal landfill.

What's the story behind this park?

From the 1970s until 1999, this site received household waste from every municipality in the northern Barcelonès area. The landfill was formally closed in 2000, after which the land underwent extensive restoration: the old waste deposits were sealed under layers of soil, and the hillside was replanted with dense Mediterranean forest vegetation — pines, oaks, gorse, and strawberry trees (Arbutus unedo). What was once a dumping ground is now a sprawling landscaped park, locally also known as Parc de l'Abocador.

What will you see there?

Within an area of about 24 hectares, two rest zones with benches have been laid out, each offering sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea stretching from Barcelona all the way to Montgat. That vantage point is the park's main draw, and it's often cited as one of the best lookout spots in the area. The vegetation that has grown over the former landfill now forms a coherent Mediterranean forest, and the park borders the Sant Pere cemetery, the municipality of Montgat, the Les Guixeres industrial estate, and Masnou street.

How do you get there?

There's no direct public transport link to the park, which is worth planning around. The closest option is the B4 bus line, which runs through the nearby Pomar neighborhood — from there it's a walk uphill to reach the park itself. Arriving by car is considerably more straightforward, and the drive up the hill is part of the experience, since the views over the city and coastline open up gradually along the way.

When's the best time to visit?

Since there's little shade and the site is fully exposed to the sun, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons to visit, when temperatures are milder and coastal visibility tends to be at its best. In summer, aim for early morning or late afternoon and avoid the hottest hours, as the climb up the hill can be demanding in the heat. The park works well for a walk, a bike ride, or simply a quiet break with a view — away from the bustle of central Badalona.

Frequently asked questions

Was Parc de la Mediterrània really a landfill? Yes. The site operated as a household waste dump from the 1970s until 1999 and was formally closed in 2000. It was then restored by capping the old waste deposits with soil and planting forest vegetation, creating the park that exists today.

How big is the park? The whole area covers 35 hectares, making it the largest park in Badalona. The landscaped rest zone with the viewpoints spans about 24 hectares.

Can you reach the park by public transport? There's no direct bus route into the park. The nearest line is the B4, which stops in the Pomar neighborhood, from where you walk uphill to the entrance.

What's the main highlight of visiting? The panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea, stretching from Barcelona to Montgat, along with the striking contrast between the site's industrial past and its current Mediterranean woodland.