Barcelona Doubles Water Play Areas for Summer Cooling
Barcelona is stepping up its efforts to combat rising summer temperatures by doubling the number of water play areas available to the public. With nine new installations, the city now boasts a total of eighteen such spaces, offering a refreshing escape for residents, particularly children, during the warmer months.
These expanded facilities are a key component of the city’s ‘Pla Clima’ (Climate Plan), an initiative aimed at adapting Barcelona to the challenges of high temperatures and promoting outdoor play. The water play areas will operate daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, without interruption, from June to September.
New Water Play Areas for Summer 2026
The nine newly added water play areas are strategically located across various districts, ensuring wider access for the community. These new locations include:
- Ciutat Vella: Plaça de Carme Simó
- L’Eixample: Avinguda de Mistral
- Sants-Montjuïc: Plaça de Joan Pelegrí, Jardins de Justa Freire
- Sarrià-Sant Gervasi: Parc de Joan Reventós
- Horta-Guinardó: Plaça de Harry Walker, Jardins del Baix Guinardó
- Sant Andreu: Parc de Antoni Santiburcio
- Sant Martí: Plaça de Lolita Torrentó
These new additions complement the existing nine water play areas, which are also reopening for the summer season. The previously established locations are:
- Nou Barris: Canyelles
- Horta-Guinardó: Parc de les Rieres d’Horta
- Sant Andreu: Bon Pastor, Canòdrom Meridiana, Antiga Casa de l’Aigua
- Sant Martí: Plaça del Maresme, Parc de les Glòries (shared with L’Eixample)
- Les Corts: Jardins de Sant Joan de Déu in L’Illa Diagonal
- Ciutat Vella: Plaça de les Caramelles
Further expansion is planned, with five more cooling spaces scheduled to be implemented by 2027: two in Sant Martí, two in Ciutat Vella, and one in Nou Barris.
Part of Barcelona’s Climate Resilience Strategy
The introduction of these new water play areas is a direct response to the ‘Pla Calor’ (Heat Plan), which falls under the broader ‘Pla Clima’. This strategy emphasizes adapting the city to high temperatures, fostering urban resilience against climate challenges, and protecting vulnerable populations. Consequently, these spaces are also integrated into the city’s ‘Red de Refugios Climáticos’ (Network of Climate Shelters).
Important Information for Users
It is crucial for residents to note that these water play areas are the only designated spaces for cooling down using water. They are particularly recommended for children aged 5 and above, who are required to wear footwear when accessing the areas. For safety and hygiene reasons, accessing or bathing in ornamental fountains is strictly prohibited.
Contact and Further Information
For more details on Barcelona’s climate initiatives and public services, residents can utilize the following contact channels:
- General Information: 010
- Contact Form: Available on the Barcelona City Council website
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Source: https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/es/ya-son-ocho-los-espacios-con-juegos-de-agua-para-refrescarse-durante-el-verano-3_1641701.html
