Parque del Alamillo, Seville

Parque del Alamillo is a metropolitan park spread across the area between Seville and Santiponce. Its scale is striking: it covers 120 hectares and is known as Seville’s “green lung.” The park opened to the public in 1993, after the Universal Exposition of Seville shaped the redevelopment of this part of Cartuja Island.

The landscape follows Mediterranean woodland, with riverside trees, cork oaks, pines, holm oaks and strawberry trees. In 2014, the park gained a 40-hectare orange grove, and spring brings the scent of bitter orange through the grounds. Two lakes, Lake Mayor and Lake Menor, structure the park, which also includes leisure and sports facilities.

One especially unexpected feature is its miniature railway: a 127-metre route carries working steam and electric locomotives, including coal-fired engines. You can also find the Camino de Demófilo, restored in 2019 with 18 plaques bearing verses by Antonio Machado Álvarez. The park combines wildlife, botanical collections, cultural activity and urban gardening in one expansive setting.