Start with a flying flowerpot and chaotic paths branching out in all directions—take one. As you delve further into this anything-but-pragmatic park, pathways dissolve into vegetation-lined courts looking like salt marshes next to a large lake.

Diagonal Mar—the greater area of which the park is a key component—is an urban redevelopment project consisting of residential areas, hotels and even a modern shopping complex, as well as the new Centre Internacional de Convencions (International Convention Center) in Barcelona’s 22@ district.

The park’s unique design was conceived by the EMBT design team of Benedetta Tagliabue and Enrique Miralles. Upon completion, the park was received with mixed emotions. Perhaps the most telling criticism is that it’s hardly used by locals. Yet we find it to be quite charming and worth a visit to explore a fascinating example of contemporary urban planning.

The park is divided into six main areas: the fountains, a “magic mountain” for children, a sports area, an amphitheater, a playground and a dog run. The areas are grouped around the large body of water and surrounded by benches and interesting configurations of pavement designed by the Catalan architect team.