Parc de l'Espanya Industrial

Parc de l'Espanya Industrial sits right next to Barcelona-Sants station, in the Sants district — a park that turned an old industrial site into one of the city's more unusual green spaces.

What's the story behind this park?

For most of the 20th century, the land now covered by the park was occupied by La España Industrial, a large textile mill. When the factory relocated its operations elsewhere, the site's owners planned to build new housing blocks on the vacated land. Neighbours in Sants pushed back — the neighbourhood movements of the 1970s campaigned for the site to remain public space rather than be built over. The city council eventually sided with residents, and the park designed by Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui opened in 1985. Sants owes its green lung today largely to that grassroots resistance.

What will you see there?

The park's centerpiece and best-known feature is a monumental dragon sculpture by Basque artist Andrés Nagel, added in 1987, two years after the park itself opened. The structure runs about 32 metres long and stands 12 metres high, built from steel and concrete, and doubles as both public art and a playground slide. Three separate slides are built into different parts of the dragon's body — its jaws, its wings, and its tail, which reaches down toward the park's lake. That mix of sculpture and play equipment makes the park a genuine draw for families with children, not just a spot to admire from a bench.

The park itself is laid out as an open, multi-level space built around a large central lake, which anchors most of the activity — people walking, sitting, or watching kids clamber over the dragon. In 2024 the park underwent renovation work that improved accessibility, expanded its recreational areas, and added better facilities for families and dog owners.

How do you get there?

The park sits directly next to Barcelona-Sants railway station, one of the city's main transport hubs, served by long-distance trains, regional lines, and the metro. That makes it about as easy to reach as a park can be — get off at Sants Estació and you're steps away. It's a convenient stop on the way to or from the airport, and a natural base if you're exploring the western part of the city.

When's the best time to visit?

The park is open year-round and is especially pleasant in spring and autumn, when temperatures suit longer walks. In summer, tree cover and the lake make it a welcome break from the heat and the crowds in the city centre. Given its location right by the station, it also works well as a short stopover between trains.

Frequently asked questions

Is the park free to visit? Yes, Parc de l'Espanya Industrial is a public city park with free entry, open daily.

Is it a good spot for kids? Very much so — Andrés Nagel's dragon sculpture doubles as a slide and playground, and the 2024 renovation added more family-friendly recreational space.

How far is the park from Sants station? It sits right next to Barcelona-Sants station, so it's a walk of just a few minutes.

Who designed the park and the dragon? The park was designed by Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui, and the dragon sculpture was added in 1987 by Basque artist Andrés Nagel.