Palm trees, palm trees and more palm trees. When you visit Elche it’s probably the first time you see so many palm trees in one place. There’s a reason that El Palmeral, the palm grove of Elche, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.
Elche is located in the Valencia region, about 26 kilometers from the coastal city of Alicante. The town is also called Elx which is Valencian for Elche. Besides the beautiful subtropical flora, the town is also interesting for its historical sites. The city’s roots go all the way back to 300 BC. Back then, the Phoenicians already planted palm trees here. But the Arabs who founded Elche here in the 10th century AD established the irrigation system that produced a thriving palm grove. This historic network of irrigation canals is still in operation today.
Discover the most beautiful parts of El Palmeral
In and around Elche there are more than 200,000 palm trees in total. The palm trees are part of almost a hundred different palm orchards. Together, this El Palmeral forms the largest palm orchard in Europe. Some of the palm groves have been transformed into city parks. There is a walking route that takes you along the most beautiful points of El Palmeral. Or visit the most special palm trees of Elche via this route.
Visit the Imperial Palm of Elche
An absolute must-see for lovers of subtropical flora is the beautiful Jardín Huerto del Cura. The famous Imperial Palm is located in this botanical garden. This unique palm has seven trunks. This tree was given the name ‘Imperial Palm’ when the Austrian Empress Sissi visited Jardín Huerto del Cura in the late 1800s. In addition to all kinds of palm trees, this botanical garden also offers a rich collection of cacti and other tropical plants.
Enjoy the peace and quiet in the Parque Municipal in the middle of Elche
The 6-hectare Parque Municipal, which is located in the center, is full of quiet spots. In addition to palm trees, this city park also offers ponds with swans and historical monuments such as an 18th-century water mill. You will also find more beautiful plants here. Magnolias, bougainvilleas and banana trees: you can encounter them all during a walk through the Parque Municipal of Elche.
Do you want to discover even more about the palm trees of Elche? Then visit the Museo del Palmeral to learn all about the palm trees of this Spanish city. Or go to the bell tower of the Santa Mariá Basilica. After 170 steps you will be rewarded with a beautiful view over the Palmeral!
