Many people think the best way to see the great cities of Europe is through their museums, their fairytale castles, and their historical monuments. Personally though, I think a lot can be understood about a cities character by seeking out their public parks. I think you can tell a lot about a culture from how they spend their leisure time.
After a day of battling the urban jungle, it is refreshing to visit the parks. Europeans love their green space. In addition to being free, these public spaces offer an insight into the tastes, styles and history of a community.
Here are ten great public parks worth seeking out.
Parque de Retiro - Madrid, Spain
The Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace) in Madrid's beautiful Parque del Retiro
Located in the heart of downtown Madrid, Retiro is a beautifully landscaped recreation spot for the city’s workers. Scattered through the greenery are gems like the elegant rose garden, the fragile Palacio de Cristal and the only known statue of Satan in Europe. The centerpiece is the imperial Monument to Alfonso XII, which overlooks a lake of rented paddleboats.
Photo: Danny VB
Hampstead Heath - London, UK
A Viaduct pond in Hampstead Heath
The Heath, as the locals call it, is more than just a park; it’s a piece of wilderness just outside of central London. Unlike the rich manicured parks downtown, Hampstead Heath is a sprawling, ramshackle spread of field and forests. Locals come here to let their dogs run free, take in the fresh air and enjoy spectacular views of downtown from Parliament Hill.
Photo: CAWG
Villa Borghese - Rome, Italy
The Temple of Aesculapius in Rome's Villa Borghese gardens
Originally the well manicured English gardens of a palace of the same name; the Villa Borghese is now a pretty public park (the palace is now an art gallery). Strolling the gardens is like walking through an 18th century landscape painting, with ponds, fountains and neoclassical temples.
Photo: rickymor
StadtPark - Vienna, Austria
A peaceful day at Stadtpark, Vienna
StadtPark is home to the most photographed monument in Vienna, the golden Johann Strauss Monument. Parts of the park are thick with vegetation while other spots are carefully landscaped with nods to the art-nouveau style. Other attractions are the Renaissance style Kursalon building and the Mierei milk-drinking hall.
Photo: jmenard48
City Park - Budapest, Hungary
Winter in Budapest's stunning City Park
In addition to having the first metro system in continental Europe, Budapest has the distinction of creating the first public park in the world. Long a center of recreation for the city, the park is full of interesting sites including Heroes Square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the stunning art nouveau zoo, and the Széchenyi thermal bathhouse.
Photo: sweetal
Kalemegdan - Belgrade, Serbia
Kalemegdan Park, Serbia
City Park may be the oldest public park, but Kalemegdan has what must be one of the oldest attractions. The park surrounds Kalemegdan fortress, which has existed in one incarnation or another for over 1000 years. The castle, which was captured a staggering 45 times, is now over run with locals who make out in the grass, play chess in the shade or jog through the old ruins.
Photo: donlandes
Jardin du Luxembourg - Paris, France
Jardin du Luxembourg is a great park to visit in the Springtime
The carefully planned Jardin de Luxembourg features wide gravel paths and well-manicured expanses of grass, dotted with over a hundred statues, monuments and fountains. Most beautiful is the baroque Medici Fountain, designed in 1630. There is a playground for children, as well as frequent puppet shows and a lake where they can rent toy boats.
Photo: zorroz
Hyde Park - London, England
A view of Serpentine Lake in London's Hyde Park
London is home to many beautiful green spaces but Hyde Park is a favorite. The man-made Serpentine Lake, which winds its way through the park, is home to an abundance of swan and other birds. Hyde Park is a popular spot for protestors (particularly at Speaker’s Corner) and open-air rock concerts.
Photo: joebelle
Vondelpark - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Lovers embrace in Amsterdam's popular Vondelpark
Amsterdam actually has 30 parks, but Vondelpark is the largest and most popular. It is a sprawling green space full of dog walkers, joggers and sunbathers. Recently Vondelpark made headlines when the government considered de-criminalizing public sex within its boundaries, making it a sanctuary for nature and people lovers alike!
Photo: siebe
Englischer Garten - Munich, Germany
Locals and tourists enjoy Munich's Englischer Garten
At 3.6 square KM, Englischer Garten is one of the largest public parks in the world. Not unexpectedly, the huge park contains a large variety of attractions. There is a Japanese teahouse, a Greek temple and an enormous Chinese pagoda. There is an open-air theater, a flock of sheep and a manmade lake. The Schönfeldwiese meadow is a popular spot for nude sunbathers.
Photo: Harald HAEUSLER
While similar in intent, all of these parks have a different character and design that reflects the personality of their city. So next time you are in a new place be sure to check out it’s park, you may see a side of the city you never knew was there!
This guest post was written by Stephanie Yoder. Stephanie runs Twenty-Something Travel, a travel blog dedicated to assisting new or young travelers with the skills, resources and opportunities available to them for travel abroad. When not traveling the world she lives in Washington DC.
What Next?
Follow us on Twitter
Become a fan at Facebook
Subscribe to offtoeurope.com here
{ 5 comments }
Follow us on 
Become a fan at 
