Could Maria Luisa Park be the most beautiful city park in the world? I don’t know for sure, but I am leaning towards a “yes!” It is absolutely stunning. And to think my family thought to skip it altogether on our recent trip to Seville. We visited in winter, after spending time in Retiro Park in Madrid (which was also nice), but we didn’t really think we needed to see another park. Oh boy, were we wrong. Be sure to visit this park on your trip! It’s located right across from Plaza de Espana, so you’ll probably be near it anyways when visiting Seville. And, if I am wrong suggesting this park and you discover this isn’t your cup of tea, you won’t really be out any time. This is Seville’s most famous park for a reason and I recommend adding it to every Andalucian itinerary.
History of Maria Luisa Park
Maria Luisa Park was donated to the city of Seville in 1893 by the Infanta Maria Luisa Fernanda de Bourbon. Before that, the area was the private garden of the San Telmo Palace, which dates back to 1682. Maria Luisa Park was expanded for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. You might recall that the Plaza de Espana, across the street from the park, was built for this same event. Three buildings were added to the Plaza de America area and now house two museums. Additionally, several fountains and water features were either added, or redesigned for the event. New plants and species, as well as decorative architectural elements were integrated into the park’s design. Following the expedition, the park quickly became a part of Seville’s identity.
Photo above: Small pond with rotunda. There were lots of waterfowl and birds in the area when we visited.
Photo above: A shaded walkway near the Fountain of Lions makes for a peaceful experience.
Photo Above: Moorish styled pavilion in Maria Luisa Park.
Fountains, gardens, and wildlife: A natural wonderland awaits
There are many garden areas and fountains to explore when visiting Maria Luisa Park. The Fountain of the Lions, with its majestic fountain, surrounded by palm trees is a highlight. I was personally entranced by the Fountain of the Frogs, a striking and colorful fountain, seen in the main image for this post. We saw lots of birds and waterfowl in the park. And this was an awesome place to explore as there were small architectural or artistic surprises around every corner. I said the Plaza de Espana was built to impress; well, so was this park.
Photos above: The Fountain of Lions.
Photo above: A colorful Moorish-styled fountain located in the park.
Photo above: The 8-pointed star fountain in striking white and blue contrasted tile.
Visit Plaza de America inside Maria Luisa Park
The area of the park known as Plaza de America was developed to house expositions at the 1929 exhibition. It is made up of three buildings: the Royal Pavilion, the Mudejar Pavilion, and the Fine Arts Pavilion. The buildings now house the Museum of Arts and Tradition and the Archaeological Museum. The archaeological museum includes a collection from nearby Italica, so if you are a history buff, you will want to check out both Italica and the artifacts here at the museum. The Museum of Arts and Tradition showcases the Andalusian ethnological heritage. This is a popular area of the park, and the museums are an escape within the escape of the park itself.
Have an adventure in Maria Luisa Park
We rented four-wheel bikes and zipped all around the park. We found the Cyclotour vendor near the entrance, across from Plaza de Espana. It was so much fun! I highly recommend it for those who don’t mind working your way through the park, pedaling. There’s nothing better than seeing someplace so beautiful while laughing and having fun. These bikes were inexpensive to rent; I think we paid 14 EUR for the two-seater and 17 EUR for the four-seater. The vendor took credit cards, making it an easy purchase.
Because there were 6 of us, there wasn’t a bike big enough for our group. This just meant we could now race each other. This was our youngest two daughters first time driving. They might have hit a few curbs, and each other. But all in all, we survived and came away with nothing more than laughs and lots of stories.
Photo above: Emma and Ava, without parental supervision.
Photo above: Sebastian and Sophia drove us elders around the park.
Getting a bite to eat at the park
We saw food vendors in the park serving up seasonal treats, and other quick bites. I bought roasted Chesnuts hot off the grill. They were okay, but I couldn’t convince anyone else in my family to eat them. I finally tossed them in a rubbish bin so I didn’t have to hold them any longer while riding the bike we rented. I am not sure if they just weren’t that good, or if I just don’t like Chesnuts anymore.
The park would be a great place to bring a picnic lunch or a bottle of wine with some cheese, bread and fruit. The park is close to many tourist attractions and the perimeter is lined with cafes, restaurants and hotels where you can pop in and enjoy a meal too.
A treasure hunt to discover hidden gems in Maria Luisa Park
Spend some time in the park uncovering its gems. Every area of the park has its own vibe, and we wandered in search of our favorite. Along the way, we discovered many surprises, like the beautifully decorated vase sculptures, or could they be chess pieces, or Faberge eggs, I don’t know. See for yourself in the photos below. Whatever they are, they are beautiful garden pieces and just one of the gems you will uncover in your search.
Photo above: A colorful decoration standing out amongst the lush greenery of the garden.
Photo above: Another one, this one blue and decorated with detail.
Poetry in Maria Luisa Park
There is a sculpture in the Glorieta de Becquer part of the park dedicated to the romantic poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer from Seville. The monument is a bust of him, and three figures of love: love that laughs, love that dreams, and love that dies. His poems depict love, mysticism, and the supernatural. The beautiful setting is the perfect stage for reading some of his poetry on your visit. You can find many of his poems and short stories online, in the public domain.
What is poetry? you ask, while fixing
your blue pupil on mine.
What is poetry! And you are asking me?
Poetry… is you.
Written by Gustavo Adolfo Becquer, Rhyme 21 (translated from Spanish to English)
Yoga at Maria Luisa Park
The park is also the perfect setting for a yoga session. With all the hustle and bustle of travel, your time in Seville can be a bit much. Consider unwinding in this perfect spot. You can even book a yoga class in the park (at noon). Check a site off your list, make unique memories in a beautiful place, and be good to yourself, all at the same time.
Admire San Telmo Palace as part of your visit
San Telmo Palace in Seville is home to the government and administration of the local Andalusian government. While visitors cannot visit the inside, the Baroque architecture of the palace exterior is worth a visit. The palace dates all the way back to 1682 and was built to educate orphaned children and young people in maritime navigation skills in preparation for a career as a sailor. The palace eventually became a noble residence before being gifted to the Archdiocese of Seville. The beautiful park we know as Maria Luisa Park had been the private gardens of the San Telmo Palace, before becoming the park we see today in around 1893.
Photo above: The exterior front view of San Telmo Palace in Seville.
2 Comments on “Having a great time at Maria Luisa Park in Seville”