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An avenue lined with sculptures by Frederic Marès and Ernest Maragall is the main delight here. The garden also has the last of the city’s ginjoler trees.

Opposite the Miramar, with its telescopes and viewing spots, these gardens are scattered with stairways leading to enchanting leafy groves with vistas.

These picturesque gardens lie just in front of the former Palau Reial (royal palace) of Pedralbes – now home to the Museu de Ceràmica and Museu de les Arts Decoratives (Palau Reial de Pedralbes). Under the shade of an enormous eucalyptus tree and near a small bamboo forest is a fountain by Gaudí, which was only discovered in 1983.

The main feature of this exceptional park is the huge, hedged maze where children can live out their Alice in Wonderland fantasies. Unfulfilled expectations of mad hatters are made up for by an enormous play area with a bar and terrace. The park is particularly busy on Sundays. (Parc del Laberint d’Horta)

These enchanting Neo-Classical gardens date back to 1791, making this elegant park one of the oldest in the city. Situated up above the city, where the air is cooler and cleaner, the park includes themed gardens, waterfalls and a small canal. The highlight is the enormous maze, which has a statue of Eros at its centre.Parc del Laberint d'Horta.

Reminiscent of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, this gracious oasis surrounding the Greek amphitheatre is officially known as La Rosadela.

This multi-level park hides a small Modernista house, by Puig i Cadafalch, and the Font del Gat – a drinking fountain, which has inspired many local songs.

These are among Europe’s most important cactus gardens. They are particularly impressive as the sun sets, when surreal and shapes and shadows emerge.