Attraction
Real Alcázar de Sevilla
A royal palace complex with more than a thousand years of history, famous for Pedro I's Mudéjar palace, tiled courtyards and extensive walled gardens.
Parque de María Luisa
Seville's main park, around 40 hectares of shaded gardens, fountains and exposition pavilions redesigned by Forestier and linking the Plaza de España and the Plaza de América.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic public park
- Area
- Parque de María Luisa, Seville, Spain
Good to know
- Free entry
- Shade
- Fountains
- Children's play areas
Why we recommend it
The Parque de María Luisa is Seville's best-loved green space and a welcome refuge from the heat of the old town. It covers about 40 hectares that once formed part of the gardens of the Palacio de San Telmo, and it takes its name from the Infanta María Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier, who gave the grounds to the city in 1893. From 1911 the French landscape designer Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier reshaped it into the park you see today, and it then became the main setting for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition.
That history explains its character. Forestier mixed formal Andalusian ideas, such as tiled fountains, low walls, benches and long water channels, with romantic avenues of tall trees, and the exposition left behind pavilions and monuments scattered through the greenery. Look out for the glorietas, small tiled bowers dedicated to writers and local figures, many of them with benches decorated in ceramic. The Plaza de España sits on the eastern edge, while the Plaza de América at the southern end is framed by three exposition buildings, two of which house the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs.
The park is easy to enjoy without a plan. Families come for the open lawns, the ducks and the space to run around, couples for a slow walk in the shade, and runners for the early morning loops. The Plaza de América is also known for its white doves, which gather around visitors. In spring the orange blossom and flowering trees make it particularly pleasant, while in summer the dense canopy keeps the temperature noticeably lower than in the streets around it.
Allow at least an hour for a walk through the park, or more if you combine it with the Plaza de España and one of the museums. Bring water in summer, as kiosks are limited, and keep an eye on the opening times at the gates, which close at night. The main paths are flat and suitable for buggies and wheelchairs.
The park lies between the Avenida de María Luisa and the Paseo de las Delicias, south of the Universidad (former Royal Tobacco Factory) and the Prado de San Sebastián transport hub. From the Cathedral it is a pleasant 15 minute walk past the Hotel Alfonso XIII, and the river promenade runs alongside its western edge.
Parque de María Luisa FAQs
Is the Parque de María Luisa free?
Yes. It is a public park with no entry charge.
How big is the park?
It covers roughly 40 hectares, which is about 99 acres.
Who designed it?
The French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier redesigned the gardens from 1911.
Why is it called María Luisa?
It is named after the Infanta María Luisa Fernanda, Duchess of Montpensier, who donated the grounds to the city in 1893.
Is it good for children?
Yes. There are open lawns, ducks, doves in the Plaza de América and plenty of shade for families.
What museums are in the park?
The Plaza de América holds the Archaeological Museum of Seville and the Museum of Popular Arts and Customs.
How long should you spend there?
Allow an hour for a walk, or half a day if you add the Plaza de España and a museum.
Is the park open at night?
No. The gates close in the evening, so check the times posted at the entrances.