El Palmeral Park in Alicante, a place where you can relax and regain strength.
Alicante is a well-known resort on the Mediterranean coast, offering many attractions that will keep you entertained for weeks on end. The sunny coast primarily features beaches and all the pleasures associated with them. But of course, that’s not all. There are plenty of historical sites, such as the Castle of Santa Barbara atop Mount Benacantil, towering high above the city, or the Basilica of Santa Maria, one of the oldest active churches in all of Spain.
However, when you tire of the city bustle and the dust of ancient ruins, you should seek a shaded spot, such as the expansive and tranquil El Palmeral Park. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful in all of Alicante.
Below, I’ll tell you about El Palmeral Park, its history, and its attractions. I will persuade you to visit this place so you can relax on a hot day in the shade of beautiful, sprawling palms and listen to the numerous murmuring streams and waterfalls.
El Palmeral Park in Alicante and its interesting history
In the 19th century, El Palmeral Park was a vast palm grove similar to that in Elche. Thousands of palms bore magnificent fruits known for their exceptional taste and aroma. The resemblance to the Palm Grove in Elche is not coincidental; the one in Alicante was created to resemble the largest concentration of palms in Europe, located precisely in Elche.
Originally, the Palm Grove in Alicante was vast and well-planned. A complex system of irrigation ditches was created to supply water to every corner of the park for palm cultivation. As the terrain of El Palmeral is uneven, numerous water chutes, cascades, and waterfalls had to be constructed.
Unfortunately, by the end of the 19th century, Alicante underwent significant changes. The city was reached by a railway line, which cut off the park from the waterfront, disrupting its natural environment. At the same time, the expansion of the port in Alicante began, and warehouses, factories, and industrial plants started to emerge on the waterfront in the immediate vicinity of El Palmeral. This led to the almost complete degradation of the once beautiful El Palmeral Park and many other valuable natural sites in Alicante.
However, the most significant damage was caused by an aluminium factory established in the 1950s. The once lush greenery almost disappeared from this part of the city, and El Palmeral Park suffered the most from this development.
What to do and see in Alicante and how much it costs
- Afternoon Cruise with Appetizer and Live Music; Embark on a relaxing cruise along the Costa Blanca and admire panoramic views of the horizon as you sail.
- From Alicante, Benidorm to Guadalest; Guadalest is the most visited attraction in the country after the Prado Museum and the Sagrada Familia. And this although only 258 people live in it!
- Santa Bárbara Castle Alicante D.O Wine Tasting; Tasting of 3 DO wines + Selma Millenary Olive Oil and cured sausage from Alicante.
- Book a hotel at a good price and enjoy the beauty of Alicante.
- Rent a car; The rented car will help you realize travel plans faster and more efficiently.
El Palmeral Park in Alicante and its revival
Fortunately, the era of unrestrained industrial expansion has come to an end, and people have come to understand that a city is not just about workplaces and housing for workers. In 1997, a new, restored El Palmeral Park in Alicante was opened, which was greeted with great enthusiasm by the city’s residents. Convenient access routes and parking were created, and the park itself was surrounded by a stone wall.
Today, the park is a meeting place for city residents and numerous tourists, seeking refreshment, peace, and relaxation.
El Palmeral Park in Alicante sightseeing and attractions
In the renovated park, shaded alleys once again resounded with the murmuring of water in irrigation channels and the sound of waterfalls. Wide paths and comfortable benches appeared, where one could rest in the shade of palms. Playgrounds full of elaborate swings, slides, and heaps of white sand brought from the nearby beach were provided for children. There were also facilities for older kids, including a BMX track and a sports field.
A popular spot is a large waterfall designed to resemble those found in the African jungle. The concept might be mediocre, but the place is a great attraction for the youngest visitors, who enjoy walking through the waterfall, as I’ve observed. Adults also benefit, especially on hot days, when the water mist surrounding the waterfall cools the heated skin perfectly.
The park is home to several thousand areca palms, common throughout the tropical zone, and most abundant in Africa. These trees can reach heights of up to 60 meters in their natural environment. Besides the sprawling palms grown for their leaves and shade, you’ll find many date palms, known as royal palms, whose fruits, when ripe, have a delightful aroma. Dates from Alicante literally drip with sticky, sweet juice – you must try them if you happen to visit the park at the right time.
In addition to lush vegetation, El Palmeral features a stage where various concerts, animations, and performances by local artists take place during summer. Theatres for children and puppet shows, telling stories with handcrafted puppets, are a big hit with the kids.
A small café couldn’t be missing in a place like El Palmeral Park, where you can enjoy coffee, water, or whatever else you fancy. You can also indulge in ice cream, which tastes exceptionally delicious in the heat. Near the café, there’s another attraction, the Armenian Cross. This monument, called the Khachkar, was funded by the Armenian community of over a thousand residents, as a gesture of gratitude for the hospitality and good relations with the people of Alicante.
El Palmeral Park in Alicante is a very cool place where you can spend the entire day. It’s a good idea to bring along some food and have a picnic in the shade of the palms. This place will appeal to both the youngest and adults seeking relaxation and tranquillity, although it can get crowded during peak season – but that’s the norm in seaside resorts.
Park in Alicante practical information and interesting facts
- El Palmeral Park is located near the turquoise sea along the main road leading to the city, Elche Avenue, making it easy to find.
- The park’s address is: Avinguda d’Elx, 109, 03008 Alacant, Alicante, Spain.
- The park is open all day until 10:00 PM.
- Dogs are allowed in the park.
- The place was opened in 1997.
- El Palmeral Park is one of the main and most beloved parks in Alicante.
- The park is home to over 2,000 palms of various sizes and species.
- Renowned painter Joaquin Sorolla painted his masterpiece; “El Palmeral,” on commission for the Hispanic Society of New York.
- The park features numerous bridges, bike and walking trails, as well as smaller or larger water reservoirs.
- You can walk from the park to the beach through an underground tunnel.
- You can reach the park by taking bus lines 1 and 27.
- Interesting cities near Costa Blanca:
- Cullera, located on the Valencia coast, is a resort town known for its beautiful beaches with light and fine sand.
- La Mata is a small town in the south of Spain, located on the Costa Blanca coast.
- San Pedro del Pinatar is a town located on the Costa Calida coast in the province of Murcia, southern Spain.
- Torrevieja is a coastal city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante.
- Attractions near Costa Blanca:
- Bodegas Luzon is one of the oldest and largest vineyards in the Spanish municipality of Jumilla, located in the Region of Murcia.
- Cullera Castle (Castell de Cullera) is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating attractions of the city.
- Dino Park Algar on the Costa Blanca coast, is a land ruled by prehistoric dinosaurs.
- El Palmeral Park in Alicante, a place where you can relax and regain strength.
- L’Oceanogràfic is the Spanish name for the Oceanarium in Valencia, the largest aquarium in Europe, located in the southern part of Spain by the Mediterranean Sea.
- Las Salinas de Torrevieja is an industrial plant that extracts sea salt from a shallow but vast lake in Laguna Salada de Torevieja.
- Natural Park El Fondo, or as the Spanish say, Parque Natural el Hondo, is located in the beautiful region of Valencia, near cities such as Alicante, Valencia, La Mata, Torrevieja.
- Palm Grove of Elche largest palm grove in Europe.
- Rio Safari Elche is a zoo located on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
- The Science Museum in Valencia is part of a massive project called the City of Arts and Sciences.
- The goal of our today’s trip is the Valor chocolate factory and museum.
- The Castle of Santa Barbara (Castillo de Santa Barbara), also known as the Alicante Fortress, looms over the city like an unconquerable defender.
- The Church of the Virgin Mary in the Spanish city of Murcia is one of the biggest attractions of the city and an undeniable symbol of it.
- The Naval Museum in Cartagena is a fascinating attraction in the city that anyone with even a slight interest in European history
- The Museum in Torrevieja is an interesting attraction in the port part of the city.
- The Ducal Palace of Gandia is a tourist attraction in the city and a fascinating monument worth visiting during your stay on the Costa Blanca in Spain.
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