If they provide relaxation and freshness to visitors looking for a shady stopover, Spanish gardens have many other attractions for those who enjoy the pleasure of strolling through them or contemplating their charms.
They also form fascinating green cities in the heart of the Mediterranean islands and the Atlantic, where genius landscapers, experts in the age-old art of mastering precious water, make plant apotheoses bloom.
On the shores of the Mediterranean
Such as the one offered in the Balearic Islands by the Alfabia gardens.
Located on the island of Majorca, within an unusual architectural ensemble, they amaze you upon reception with their paths lined with banana trees opening onto a pergola bathed in water features.
Like an invigorating airlock before reaching the lower garden, a tropical paradise scented with wisteria and planted with protected endemic palm trees: garballons.
The gardens of Alfabia Spanish Tourist Office
The neighboring island of Menorca is home to Lithica, a surprising marriage between mineral and plant life, the hand of man having brought new life to the ancient quarries of s'Hostal.
Taking advantage of the excavated areas now re-greened, this place notably offers a medieval garden strewn with roses and medicinal herbs, a labyrinth through the orchards as well as a botanical and biodiversity circuit designed to preserve the local flora.
In the whisper of the wind, we recharge our batteries by drawing, it is said, from the roots of Cretan myth.
Lithica in Menorca Spanish Tourist Office
Ocean green
On the Atlantic side, the Canaries are not exempt from extraordinary sites.
Thus, in Lanzarote, the artist César Manrique created without doubt his most beautiful “life-size” work by composing his Cactus Garden.
A work of patience since it brings together 4,500 specimens of cacti from all over the world, cultivated on terraces and above all rehabilitating a former volcanic ash extraction zone.
The methodical arrangement of the plants is disrupted by their baroque shapes and the indescribable vivacity of their flowers blooming in spring.
The cactus gardens of Lanzarote Spanish Tourist Office
The island of Tenerife has several unmissable curiosities – including its La Orotava Acclimatization Garden.
Since the end of the 18th century, this botanical institution has collected more than 3,000 species, most of them exotic, to accustom them to European conditions.
Finally, how can we not mention the Teide National Park, seemingly arid, yet home to the red
tajinastes
, endemic to the island.
The coral corolla of these gigantic inflorescences (3 m high) creates a spectacular contrast with the dark tones of the ground.
Local bees produce a creamy and sweet honey... adding a delicious reason to make this journey to Eden.
More information on
: www.spain.info/fr