Parks and Gardens in Seville

Some of the most beautiful parks and gardens can be found in Seville in the South of Spain. A good example is the Maria Luisa Park which is a lovely place to sit and watch the world go by in any season. The Plaza de España is an equally pleasant place to take an afternoon stroll; some may even say that it’s the most impressive piece of architecture that Seville has to offer after the cathedral. If you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre, then consider crossing the Guadalquivir River. On the other side, you will come across Jardin Americano, a botanical garden with a wide variety of different plant types.

Jardin Americano

The Jardín Americano has recently been refurbished to include shady areas with pools and play areas – ideal if you’ve got young children. The Jardin Americano is a botanical garden full of different species of plant donated by the Americas for the Seville Expo 92. The garden is divided into sections according to plant type. For example, one section of the garden is devoted to cacti. All the different plants and trees have unique and interesting uses – medicinal purposes for instance – and these are explained on little identifying cards. As with all parks and gardens, the best time to visit is spring, when the plants are at their most colorful.  

Maria Luisa Park

Around the same time that the Sevillanos were redirecting the Guadalquivir River in the 20’s, the southern part of the city was being transformed into a huge expanse of gardens, some of which forms part of the Parque de Maria Luisa that we can visit today. The park itself is filled with flower beds, pavilions and ponds. Additionally, there are a variety of different trees including palm and orange. Surely one of the most delightful Seville Parks, Parque de Maria Luisa offers impressive views of some manor houses that have recently been converted into museums. One of the museums contains some of the architectural treasures of the city while another contains a statue of a goddess that was once worshipped by people throughout the med.

The Paseo de Cristobal Colon is a charming promenade that offers exquisite views across the Guadalquivir River to a row of gorgeous Andalucían houses with wrought iron balconies, some of which have been converted into cafes and bars. When the weather is fine, it is possible to enjoy the shimmering waters of sunny Southern Spain by renting a paddle boat on the Guadalquivir River.

Plaza de España

Arguably, the Plaza de España is the second grandest building in Seville after the cathedral. The Plaza de España was built for Expo 29, the informal name for the world fair held in 1929. The Plaza de España is a half circle shaped building made of bricks. The towers at either end represent major landmarks. In front of the Plaza de España, there is a canal where you can rent small boats for the day. The Plaza is known as the “Venice of Seville” by many of the locals. Another popular tourist activity is a horse and carriage ride. Interestingly, over the years, the Plaza has been used as the set for several films including Star Wars andSacha Baron Cohen’s 2012 movie, The Dictator.