Which City Park Has Been Revealed As The Best In The World?
No city is complete without a great park, and across the world, there are plenty to explore, but what makes a park truly exceptional?
Is it the lush greenery, the carefully designed landscapes, or the sense of escape it provides from the urban rush? Not only that, but parks are also used as a cultural hub for many major cities. You can often find museums, events or iconic landmarks hidden within them.
But which park is the world’s best? To answer this, travel experts at Iglu Cruise have revealed the world’s highest-rated parks, using Tripadvisor data to determine which ones had the highest percentage of “excellent”, or five-out-of-five-star, reviews.
The following 10 parks had the highest percentage of excellent reviews:
1. Central Park, New York City, USA
In first place is Central Park, New York City, USA, with over 77% of Tripadvisor reviews awarding it a five-star rating.
Located in the centre of Manhattan, Central Park is arguably the most famous park in the USA, that’s featured in countless movies and TV shows, such as Home Alone 2 and FRIENDS.
Stretching over 2.5 miles long, the park opened in 1858 and its creation marked a significant shift toward urban green spaces for public health and recreation in the US.
Today, the park is home to over 20,000 trees, 200 species of birds and 36 bridges.
2. Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada
Just below Central Park, with a score of 76% is Stanley Park in Vancouver, Canada. Located on the Vancouver Peninsula, the park is surrounded by the waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay, offering beautiful views of the city, mountains, and sea.
The park was established in 1888 and named after Lord Stanley, the Governor General of Canada at the time, and was created as a recreational area for the city’s residents. The park offers numerous recreational facilities, including tennis courts, mini golf, a miniature train (the Stanley Park Train), and even a horse-drawn carriage tour.
3. Balboa Park, San Diego, USA
Balboa Park in San Diego, USA scored just over 74%. The park is a cultural hub in San Diego, California, and is home to over 17 museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, including the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the Fleet Science Center.
One of the most famous attractions in Balboa Park is the San Diego Zoo, one of the largest and most renowned zoos in the world. It covers 100 acres of the park and is home to more than 3,700 animals, representing over 650 species.
4. Parque del Retiro, Madrid, Spain
Retiro Park in Madrid scored a 71.5% excellence rating.
It was initially designed as a royal garden for King Philip IV, and it remained a private space for the Spanish royalty until the late 19th century when it was opened to the public.
One of the park’s most iconic features is the large lake where visitors can rent rowboats throughout the year. You’ll also find the Royal Botanical Garden, a beautiful green space with thousands of plant species, many of which are rare or endangered.
5. Regent’s Park, London, UK
Next, we have Regent’s Park in London, with 71.4% of reviews being excellent.
Situated in the borough of Camden, the park is divided into two main sections: the Inner Circle and the Outer Circle. The Outer Circle is primarily used for recreational activities such as running or cycling. The Inner Circle contains beautiful formal gardens, a large lake, and a number of cultural landmarks.
One of the park’s most stunning features is Queen Mary’s Gardens, which is home to more than 12,000 roses.
The gardens are considered one of the best rose gardens in the UK and are a popular spot in the summer months.
The park is also home to the famous London Zoo, which houses more than 750 species of animals.
6. Hyde Park, London, UK
In sixth place is another London park, Hyde Park, which scored 68.4%.
Arguably London’s most famous park, Hyde Park was established in 1536 by Henry VIII as a hunting ground for royal use.
It was later opened to the public in 1637 by King Charles I.
Famous landmarks such as the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain, the statue of Queen Victoria and the Achilles statue can be seen in the park.
Today, the park is also used to host major outdoor events, concerts, and festivals, including the British Summer Time (BST) concerts, Pride in London and the annual Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair.
7. English Garden, Munich, Germany
Scoring 68.3% is the English Garden in Munich, Germany.
It got its name as it was designed in the style of an English landscape garden, which includes rolling hills and meandering paths.
One of the park’s most notable features is the Chinese Tower, a traditional wooden pagoda built in 1789. It stands at 25 meters tall and is surrounded by a beer garden, one of Munich’s largest.
The Isar River runs through the park, and some sections are designed to resemble a natural riverside landscape.
The park also features streams, ponds, and small lakes, meaning the park is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, squirrels, and other small mammals.
8. Luxembourg Garden, Paris, France
The next park on the list is Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, France, scoring 68.2%.
Located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, the park is one of the largest in the French capital.
The gardens are divided into several sections, such as the French formal gardens and English-style landscape gardens.
One of the most famous features of the Luxembourg Gardens is the Medici Fountain, a beautiful Baroque-style fountain built in 1620.
The gardens are home to over 100 statues, fountains, and sculptures, many of which commemorate famous figures from French history, such as playwrights, philosophers, and artists.
9. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, USA
Another US park on the list is the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, scoring 66.8%.
The park is home to a variety of landscapes, including meadows, forests, lakes, and gardens.
Some famous landmarks inside the park include The De Young Museum, the California Academy of Sciences, the Japanese Tea Garden and the Conservatory of Flowers.
One of the more unusual features of the park is the Bison Paddock, home to a small herd of American bison.
They were introduced to the park in the late 19th century, and their enclosure remains a unique and popular attraction.
10. Phoenix Park, Dublin, Ireland
Finally, rounding off the list is Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, with an excellence score of 66.4%.
Phoenix Park in Dublin is one of the largest urban parks in Europe, offering a mix of natural beauty, history, and recreational spaces.
The park has an abundance of wildlife, including wild fallow deer, who have been living in the park since the 17th century and roam freely within the park’s boundaries. Visitors often see them grazing on the grass or lounging in the park’s many meadows.
In conclusion, these top-rated parks not only offer a retreat into nature but also serve as symbols of the beauty and tranquility that can be found in the heart of cities. Whether it’s the iconic charm of Central Park or the hidden gems around the world, each park holds a unique story and provides a space for relaxation, adventure, and connection with the environment. As travel and exploration continue to thrive, these parks remind us of the importance of green spaces in enriching our lives.
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