Parque de las Naciones in Torrevieja

Inside the Garden of Nations

Despite it being a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, Parque de las Naciones can still be considered a “hidden gem” in Torrevieja. This is because of the tall fences that enclose the park’s entire perimeter, giving it a somewhat inconspicuous ambiance, as it cannot easily be seen from the surrounding busy roads. Once inside, however, visitors will find the park quite a spectacular sight, with acres of lush greenery and plenty of attractive features.

One of the park’s most sought-after attractions is the large lake of over 6,000 square meters that dominates the centre. Islands designed and arranged to exhibit the map of Europe are spread across the water, and are the reason for the park’s name. In the lake are abundant coloured carp, and waterfowl such as ducks, swans and geese swim freely around the water. Vegetation around the lake is native to the area, and comprises of water lilies, grasses, and flowering bushes that only thrive in the Mediterranean climate. Paddle boats, many of which are in the shape of animals, are available for rent. They vary in size and capacity, and some of them can even be operated by children.

The thick greenery in Parque de las Naciones is home to a wide variety of local flora, including broad-leaved plants such as oak and olive trees, as well as pine trees and towering palms. Evergreen shrubs, flowering bushes and small trees usually less than 2.5 meters are also heavily present. Grass growing throughout the park is trimmed, creating a green blanket that covers most of the ground not occupied by facilities or the lake.

Besides the waterfowl usually idling by the lake, there are plenty of other local fauna that can be found throughout the area. Birds like Indian peafowl and chickens roam freely around the park, and can even be seen hiding or perching on branches of smaller trees. These birds are fairly tame, and many of them—like the ducks—are used to children running around or playfully chasing them. A protected section of the park contains various iguanas and turtles, where visitors can observe them in their natural habitat.

Parque de las Naciones is especially popular with children not only because of the fascinating wildlife, wide open spaces for running around, and huge lake for boating, but also because of the park’s extensive children’s playground. Set on a large area covered with rubber tiles for the children’s safety, the park’s playground features a wide array of play equipment such as swings, a low-level climbing frame, train play house and a mini obstacle course. The playground’s main attraction, however, is the giant dragon slide at the centre, where kids can slide down the dragon’s back and tail, and onto the rubberised floor. Benches placed around the playground provide a place for parents to sit while watching over their children.

Other features and attractions in Parque de las Naciones include a spacious petanque play area and a small chapel (ermita) dedicated to San Emigdio, patron saint of earthquakes and natural phenomena, and co-patron of Torrevieja. There is also a huge fountain where ducks can even be seen playing under the flowing water. During the summer months there is a quaint tourist train which can take visitors on a guided, enjoyable tour around the park. All around the park are multiple benches where visitors can sit and enjoy the view or relax and have a snack after a long day. One can also feed the birds roaming around!