Barcelona's Oldest City Park Is An Overlooked Enchanting Green Hideaway Free Of Crowds

Who doesn't love a hedge maze? High green walls, shaded walkways, and a puzzle to solve — these sprawling topiary gardens have enchanted visitors for centuries. Hedge mazes were once reserved for aristocrats, and groundskeepers spent years growing and sculpting their clever creations. Today, travelers in Europe can visit any number of hedge mazes, including the Parc del Laberint d'Horta, in the northern part of Barcelona, Spain.

"Laberint d'Horta" is Catalonian for "Labyrinth of Horta," referring to the name of the municipality of Horta-Guinardó, is widely considered the oldest garden-park in Barcelona. The Italian engineer Domenico Bagutti laid out the labyrinth in 1792, at the behest of the Marquis of Llupià and Alfarràs. None of these names will ring any bells to outsiders, but suffice it to say that the marquis commissioned a beautiful garden on his private estate, and the property has since become a kind of outdoor museum. The labyrinth is just a 13-minute taxi ride from the Sagrada Familia Basilica, but it's far less well known (or crowded). This is an underrated attraction to add to your Barcelona bucket list.

The maze itself covers 18 acres, and the walls are composed of pruned cypress trees. The garden boasts sculptures, green arches, a pillared pavilion, and water features, and is wheelchair accessible. Each statue is carved in the neoclassical style and refers to Greek or Roman mythology.

If you're worried about getting lost in the maze, don't be; the design is just complicated enough to keep visitors entertained, but most people won't get lost for long. If all else fails, you can use the old one-hand-on-the-wall trick to find your way out. The goal is to find Eros, the Greek god of love, at the center of the maze. You can also visit the restored Torre Soberana, a 600-year-old country home.

To avoid paying for a taxi, hop on the metro and take Line 3 to Mundet station. No reservations are required to enter the park, and general admission is only about $2.50, or free on Wednesdays and Sundays. If you want to take a guided tour to learn more about the labyrinth, you can join one for $2. The labyrinth is one of the best things to do in Barcelona if you only have one day.

What's more, the labyrinth is located on the edge of the expansive Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola, a 31-square-mile nature preserve of rolling hills and winding trails. The park is a favorite destination for hikers, cyclists, and birders, and you can take a cab from Barcelona to any trailhead within a half-hour. While you're exploring Catalonia, here are the best day trips from Barcelona, according to Rick Steves.