Visit the Ciutadella Park in the heart of Barcelona

The parks in Barcelona are plenty, but I know a place for readers and writers, for people like me who love to go for a run, families, teenagers who are heading out for a picnic on a Saturday afternoon, or couples in love who are looking for a romantic walk. I am talking about Parc de la Ciutadella (in English: the Ciutadella Park) located in El Born. And by now, I can say that I have developed an addiction. However, I don't know if I am more addicted to running or going to the park because I spend almost everyday here - running.
For you who have not yet been, this Barcelona park is a gorgeous open space behind the chic Barcelona neighborhood : El Born. The Ciutadella park is close to the France Train Station, the Olympic Village, Barceloneta neighborhood as well as the peer and the beach.  When going for a run, I usually run through the park, over to the Arc del Triomf (this is my goal..so I tend to run extra fast over here) and then I continue down to the seaside in order to let the cool breeze from the ocean cool me off. This park is actually a great piece of work to study for the one who is interested in history. Arc de Triomf for example, the grandest entrance to the park, was designed for the 1888 Exhibition by Josep Vilaseca i Casanoves. Thinking about it, I actually don't go here mainly for running because what I find interesting and special about this park is that it's a place for everybody. Built in the late 1860s on the site of a former military fortress (Ciutadella) this park offers a way range of fun and different things to do. You will find groups of every age; families having picnics, kids playing football or frisbee, while others are practicing juggling, balancing, enjoying the sunshine from a park bench or playing drums and guitar.
The Ciutadella park offers a wide range of museums and other attractions. For example, you have the Museum of Modern Art, The Geology Museum, The Zoology Museum as well as the Barcelona Zoo. I actually didn't know that the Barcelona Zoo existed until the other day when I couldn't find my way back in the Ciutadella park while taking a short cut when going for a run. Furthermore, the park features a lake where you can rent a boat and take a ride on the water for approximately 5 Euros per half an hour. However, what I did not know is that the park closes at 22:00. As I work late hours (yes, sometimes even until 20:00..) I also tend to go running late. To make everything convenient for you (I mean, I don't want you to go here excited to spend some hours in the sunshine or visiting one of the museums only to find out it's closed..) I thought I'd give you the timetable for the different activities. Barcelona Zoo: open Nov-Feb 10 am - 5 pm daily March-May & Oct 10 am - 6 pm daily Jun - Sep 10 am - 7pm Entrance: 14 Euros, Children 8.5 Euros Museu de Zoologia & Museu de Geologia: Open 10 am - 2.30 pm Tue-Sun (Thu until 6.30 pm) Entrance: 3 Euros each museum, 4 Euros Joint ticket To get to the Ciutadella Park, you can take Metro L1 to Arc de Triomf or Metro L4 to Jaume I. I would suggest you take the metro till Arc de Triomf as this is a very nice walk (surrounded by giant palm-trees and London-look-alike street-lights) and closer to the park. Parc de la Ciutadella, Between Pujades and Picasso Street, Open Hours: 08:30 - 22:00 Charlotte Giver