Top 25 parks to escape the hustle and bustle of the city
When visiting a city on a trip, it’s easy to get caught up in the flow of passers-by through the streets and squares. Strolling the streets can be fun, but when it comes to finding a place to rest and take a breath of fresh air, parks are a great way to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, noise and pollution. World travelers recently voted on TripAdvisor to choose the urban parks you absolutely must visit if you’re staying in one of the cities mentioned!
One of the highest points in Nice, the Chateau Hill offers breathtaking views of one of the world’s most beautiful cities. The bustling old town and sparkling Mediterranean Sea are best appreciated from this vantage point. Although more famous for its panoramic views, this park boasts incredible waterfalls and lush vegetation that could keep you away for more than an afternoon.
24. St James’s Park, London, England
St James’s Park is fit for royalty. It is, after all, flanked by Buckingham Palace. This magnificent park is an oasis of calm in one of the world’s busiest cities. Sit amongst the daffodils and ducks and watch the people go by.
23. Mont Royal, Montreal, Canada
Climbing to the top of Mount Royal is well worth the effort, as it offers incredible views of the entire city and its surroundings. In autumn, the hill is clothed in vibrant yellows, reds and oranges that contrast with the gray of the skyline, making it one of the best times of the year to discover it.
This tropical forest in the middle of the city is an incredibly surreal place to visit. With its own man-made beach, the park takes full advantage of Australia’s year-round sunshine.
21. Vondelpark, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Named after 17th-century author Joost van den Vondel, this urban park has been a popular spot since 1865. Be sure to see the magnificent rose garden, home to over 70 types of roses, as well as the open-air theater that stages incredible performers throughout the year.
20. Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia
The Royal Botanic Gardens are the epitome of tranquility. This jungle is the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s CBD and lose yourself for hours, especially under the canopy.
19. St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, Ireland
This picturesque spot is an incredible place to enjoy an afternoon drink. Hidden in the park are countless statues of writers and poets who have made Ireland a culturally influential country.
Vigeland Park is most famous for its hundreds of magnificent sculptures. Amazingly, they were all made by one person, Gustav Vigeland. The park is Gustav’s studio, which we should all discover.
17. Bryant Park, New York, USA
If you’re ever in New York, Bryant Park is a great place to grab a bite to eat and soak up the sun. Locals take part in taichi and knitting classes and play chess, but for those who want to relax, there’s also music and books.
16. Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain
With breathtaking panoramas of the city just below, you’ll find it hard to take your eyes off the sights. Yet this green paradise also features an incredible art museum and refreshing fountains.
15. Balboa Park, San Diego, USA
Balboa Park is so magnificent that it almost looks as if a touch of Spain has been taken and placed in the middle of San Diego, California. This truly immense park is home to museums, theaters and a zoo. The highlight of a visit here is the exquisite architecture of Casa de Balboa and its mirror pool.
Home to the Conservatory of Flowers, the oldest Victorian greenhouse outside England, a grand carousel and even a herd of bison, Golden Gate Park’s thousands of trees conceal a treasure trove just waiting for explorers eager to discover.
13. Boston Public Garden, Boston, USA
In autumn, Boston is one of America’s most beautiful cities, thanks in no small part to its magnificent Public Garden. The lakes in this peaceful haven reflect a city in constant motion, while the cold weather creates a sea of color.
More international than its name suggests, this Englischer Garten is home to a Greek temple, a Chinese pagoda and a Japanese teahouse. Fast-flowing rivers dominate the landscape, many of them ideal for surfing. For those who don’t fancy getting wet, there are miles of paths and trails on which to get lost.
11. Singapore Botanic Garden
The Singapore Botanical Gardens are one of the city’s last retreats in a landscape dominated by skyscrapers. The pristine rainforest is popular with runners and walkers alike. Be sure to stop off at the National Orchid Garden, which boasts a collection of over 3,000 species of superb flowers.
This green space was created in 1612 at the request of Marie de Médicis, while she was living in the adjoining Palais du Luxembourg. After the French Revolution, the vast promenades and water features were opened to the public and even enlarged under Napoleon. The gardens are now thriving, and their long history gives them all the more reason to visit.
9. Retiro Park, Madrid, Spain
On the edge of Retiro Park is the magnificent Palacio de Cristal. Originally used to house exotic plants, it now hosts art exhibitions and live music. With its museums, galleries and sculptures, El Retiro is at the center of Spanish culture.
8. Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo, Brazil
Ibirapuera Park is one of the few green spots in what could be the world’s fastest-growing city. With pavilions, a planetarium, an auditorium and an obelisk, it is both the cultural heart of São Paulo and its green lung.
7. Parc Güell, Barcelona, Spain
Designed by Antoni Gaudí for the count and industrialist Eusebi Güell, this park is packed with eccentric architecture. Combined with incredible views of the city below, Parc Güell is one of the best places to see in Barcelona.
Kings Park is a vast bush on Mount Eliza, home to over 300 plants and 80 endemic bird species. The park is virtually untouched by man and nature is « allowed » to grow. With panoramic views over the Swan River, Darling Range and Perth’s business district, this is by far the most beautiful spot in the city.
The High Line is a six-mile stretch of railroad that has been regenerated by nature. This magical aerial greenway is the work of the locals who help maintain it as such. It offers the chance to climb out of the busy streets and walk around New York in a different way.
4. Millennium Park, Chicago, USA
Millennium Park is something Chicagoans are justifiably proud of. At its heart is the magnificent Crown Fountain (an interactive fountain) and « The Bean » (or Cloud Gate). With tennis courts, local artists and musicians, the park isn’t just a green space for picnics, it’s a way of life.
3. Central Park, New York, USA
Central Park is one of those places that makes New York an amazing city to live in. The park is so large that more earth was moved when it was built than when the Panama Canal was constructed. With a zoo, a dairy, dozens of local artists and musicians, charming bridges and hundreds of picturesque spots, you could get lost in this place for days.
2. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, USA
Colorado Springs is still largely dominated by its immense landscape. The Garden of the Gods is a series of red rock formations created millions of years ago. At over 550 hectares, the park is truly enormous, and it would take weeks to fully explore its incredible beauty.
1. Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
On the edge of downtown Vancouver lies a peninsula that has remained almost exactly as it was before Vancouver came alive and emerged around it. With miles of pristine beaches, flower gardens and over half a million trees, Stanley Park is truly an urban jungle. The peninsula is also home to Canada’s largest aquarium and a water park.
What do you think of this ranking? Do you think it’s legitimate?
