Elche, Spain is a medium-sized city of around 230,000 located in close proximity to the Mediterranean coast. Located within 10 minutes of a major international airport which it shares with Alicante, it is a great option for those looking to getaway.
But what can one do when visiting Elche, a city that is not widely known? Well, the largest palm grove in Europe happens to be there and provides a unique look at the Iberian Peninsula’s history as well as a beautiful place to relax.
Palm trees have always been a part of the landscape in the warm city of Elche, whose temperatures never drop below freezing. As the Moors took over and conquested the area including Elche in the 8th and 9th centuries, they used their agricultural knowledge to prepare and irrigate a large space which they filled with thousands of palm trees.
Despite the Moorish control of the region ending just a few hundred years later and the agricultural focus of the area shifting, this palm grove was kept intact and is still around to this day.
More focused on tourism and serving as a cultural asset now, Elche’s palmeral contains over 20,000 palm trees and has the appearance of a huge forest from afar. Hidden inside this shady territory is a network of walking trails that allow visitors to see all of the beauty that the palm grove has to offer.
The largest palm grove in Europe also contains things from azulejo-tiled fountains to colorful flowers, offering beauty at every turn for visitors who take time to visit this free attraction in the heart of the city.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your next trip to Elche and take advantage of the opportunity to see this one-of-a-kind attraction.