Just because you are in the middle of an urban jungle doesn’t mean you have to forgo the pleasures of nature, and it certainly doesn’t mean you have to escape the city to find green space.

City parks and green spaces can be incredibly lovely. Gorgeous oases of peace, calm and tranquility that are made even more special and relaxing by the hustle and bustle of the metropolis around them.

Some of the world’s best and most attractive parks and green spaces are found in the middle of big cities, so next time you are planning a Singapore cruise or a European city break, don’t miss the chance to explore these wonderful havens of natural beauty. Indeed, some cities are worth visiting just for their parks! Read on to discover some of the most beautiful city parks and green spaces in the world.

Parc Guell, Barcelona

Although the historic center of Barcelona is a maze of medieval streets with little green space to speak of, the hills surrounding the city boast some of the most intriguing urban parks around, and are easily accessible from the center of town. Parc Guell, Gaudi’s extraordinary masterpiece, is part park, part architectural feat, part work of art, and is a stunning combination of remarkable design and natural tranquility. A climb to the top of Carmel Hill brings you to Calvary, which offers the most complete view of Barcelona and the bay, including some of the city’s most famous sights.

Hyde Park, London

London is one of the greenest cities in the world, with over 40% of its geography taken up by public green space. With over 3,000 public parks across the UK capital, you are always just a few steps away from greenery, but Hyde Park stands out as the most impressive of them all. One of the world’s greatest public parks, Hyde Park takes you out of the city, with 350 acres of land and over 4,000 trees. There is so much to do in this amazing natural paradise, with open-air swimming in the Serpentine lake, tracks for horse riding, two lakeside restaurants and events throughout the year. You can even visit Kensington Palace, an official royal residence.

City Park, New Orleans

City Park in New Orleans comes with a lot of history. Once a place for southern gentlemen to settle their differences with pistols and dawn, its 1,300 acres now are the home of the largest collection of live oaks in the world, with many of these magnificent trees clocking in at 800-900 years old! Ancient trees aside, this is a wonderland of lagoons and gardens, as well as some extraordinary cultural attractions. Storyland is fantastic, quirky kids park with lifesize storybook characters, while the New Orleans Museum of Art and Sculpture Garden offer a wonderful experience for culture vultures.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Melbourne has been recognized as the city with the greenest central business district in the world and is full of wonderful green spaces where the locals walk, jog, cycle, and get out of the office for an al fresco lunch. One of the most beautiful spots in Melbourne is its glorious Royal Botanic Gardens, which houses over 12,000 species of exotic plants, trees, and flowers. It is an idyllic location, right on the banks of the Yarra River, and it includes an array of attractions like the Treasury Gardens, Flagstaff Gardens, and the Fitzroy Gardens greenhouses. A genuinely peaceful spot where the air is full of the scent of eucalyptus and daily life seems far away.

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Singapore is one of the most densely populated regions on the planet, but despite the vast numbers of people who live and work in the city, it is also leading the charge when it comes to greening and environmental initiatives. Thanks to its plentiful gardens and lush green spaces, it has earned the nickname ‘The City in a Garden’. The Gardens by the Bay are probably the most famous green space in Singapore, defined by the iconic Supertree Grove, a series of metal sculptures that tower over the canopy of trees below. A skyway connects the Supertrees and offers an extraordinary view of the entire park.

Griffith Park, Los Angeles

Griffith Park is a rugged masterpiece, a little piece of the wilderness brought into the city, complete with mountain lions and coyotes! There is a remarkable amount to see and do here, from LA Zoo and the Griffith Observatory to the movie magic of Bronson Canyon. There’s a train museum, a golf course, and even a craft brewery, making this one of the best public parks in the US.