BLOG
Slow walk through Barcelona: Arc de Triomf to Parc de la Ciutadella
Some days in Barcelona don’t need a plan.
No tickets booked.
No tight schedule.
Just a walk, good company and time to notice small things.
This walk, from Arc de Triomf to Parc de la Ciutadella, was one of those days.
No tickets booked.
No tight schedule.
Just a walk, good company and time to notice small things.
This walk, from Arc de Triomf to Parc de la Ciutadella, was one of those days.
Visiting Barcelona… from the inside
We’ve been living in Barcelona for almost three years now, but this walk happened during a special moment:
my mother and my aunt were visiting us from Brazil during winter.
And when family comes to visit, the city feels different.
You want to show everything you know, but at the same time you don’t want to rush through the city like a tourist trying to “see it all”.
You slow down.
You watch reactions.
You rediscover places you’ve walked past a hundred times, but from new angles.
You slow down.
You watch reactions.
You rediscover places you’ve walked past a hundred times, but from new angles.
So, for their first Sunday in Barcelona, instead of creating a big itinerary, we decided to do something simple:
walk from Arc de Triomf into Parc de la Ciutadella and let the day unfold.
Arc de Triomf: more than just a photo stop
The Arc de Triomf is one of those landmarks most people recognize instantly, but few know why it exists.
Fun fact 🌟
Unlike many arches in Europe, Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf wasn’t built to celebrate a military victory.
It was constructed in 1888 as the main entrance to the Universal Exhibition of that year, symbolizing progress, art and modernity of the city.
That’s probably why it feels so open and welcoming.
Standing there, watching people pass underneath, locals, tourists, cyclists, you really feel how the city flows through it.
And seeing my mother stop, look up, and quietly enjoying it all?
That’s when we remember why slow travel matters.
Standing there, watching people pass underneath, locals, tourists, cyclists, you really feel how the city flows through it.
And seeing my mother stop, look up, and quietly enjoying it all?
That’s when we remember why slow travel matters.
The walk that connects city and green
From the Arc, the path naturally pulls you toward Parc de la Ciutadella.
This transition is one of my favorite things about Barcelona:
one moment you’re surrounded by the fast city energy,
the next you’re walking between calm trees and open spaces.
one moment you’re surrounded by the fast city energy,
the next you’re walking between calm trees and open spaces.
Along the way:
- Milena stopped constantly to take photos
- We caught small reactions and quiet conversations
- My mother’s eyes were naturally drawn to buildings and monuments
- The pace slowed down without us even noticing
It didn’t feel like sightseeing or rushing to get somewhere.
It felt like being there, fully present.
The moment we didn’t plan
The most memorable moment of the walk didn’t involve architecture at all.
Maju stopped to feed birds with some seeds and suddenly parrots gathered around her hands.
No rush.
No expectations.
Just laughter, surprise and a moment that none of us will forget.
That’s the kind of thing you can’t plan for.
And it’s usually what stays with you the longest.
And it’s usually what stays with you the longest.
Parc de la Ciutadella: calm, even when things aren’t perfect
On the day we visited, the park’s famous fountain, the Cascada Monumental, was completely empty due to maintenance.
And honestly?
It didn’t ruin anything.
Fun fact 🌿
Parc de la Ciutadella was Barcelona’s first public park, opened in the late 19th century.
It has been a space for gatherings, celebrations, protests, picnics and everyday life ever since.
Even without the fountain, the park felt alive:
- musicians and street performers
- people walking their dogs
- families relaxing on benches and on the grass
Sometimes atmosphere matters more than attractions.
A surprise performance in the park
As we continued walking, we stumbled upon a group of Japanese dancers performing in the park.
Another reminder of why we love Barcelona:
you go out for a walk…
and the world shows up.
you go out for a walk…
and the world shows up.
Different cultures, unexpected art, shared space. All happening naturally.
Travel isn’t always about going far
This walk wasn’t only about discovering something new on the map.
It was about rediscovering something familiar through new eyes.
A simple route.
A slow pace.
Family moments that made the city feel fresh to us again.
🎥 Watch the video
I turned this walk into a calm, cinematic video showing the full experience, from Arc de Triomf to Parc de la Ciutadella, exactly as it happened.
Final thought
You don’t always need a bucket list to experience a city.
Sometimes all you need is:
- comfortable shoes
- good company
- and time to walk without rushing
Those are often the days you remember most.
👉 If you enjoy this style of family travel don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel SideQ for more family travel adventures across Europe.
👉 If you enjoy this style of family travel don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel SideQ for more family travel adventures across Europe.
By Maxmiliano Franco Braga
December 30, 2025