Six gardens to enjoy autumn in Galicia

The pleasant temperature and the tree tunnels that carpet the ground make this a magical season to visit the best landscapes and enjoy the last long days of the year. Here are six gardens that shine especially in autumn.

Aldea Grobit

O GROVE

A true paradise for both adults and children, ideal for spending an afternoon with the family after the summer season ends. Located in the Central Mountain of A Toxa, fun and magic come together in this place that recreates the home of the Hobbits, with small semi-buried houses that blend into nature. However, the sign at the entrance specifies to whom these homes belong, as it indicates that the Grobits are beings who dwell in the depths of the thermal waters of A Toxa Island.

Montealegre Botanical Garden

OURENSE

The crown jewel of the city of As Burgas. And not just figuratively, as this garden stands out for its viewpoint, located next to the cross of Montealegre, overlooking a valley where you can see the confluence of three rivers. In addition to its biodiversity (with over 240 floral species and about 132 fauna species), it offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city. The bench, placed right next to it, is another star attraction, as it is strategically positioned and has earned the title of "the most beautiful bench in Ourense."

Castelo de Soutomaior

SOUTOMAIOR

Here, the camellia is the star. The gardens of this castle boast over 400 specimens of this plant, 18 of them centuries old. There is even a camellia garden named after notable women in history! The entrance fee, at 5 euros, includes access to the gardens, a visit to the fortress, and an exhibition. Its location, between the Serra do Suído and the Ría de Vigo, has meant that throughout history, these lands have been used for a wide variety of purposes.

Pazo de Oca

A ESTRADA

This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a pazo that shines in autumn more than any other time of year, and this is one of the community’s gems. It has the privilege of being known as the "Galician Versailles," and more than a decade ago, Pedro Almodóvar himself fell in love with it. And it’s easy to see why. Beyond its great architectural value, its exterior is, in itself, a true work of art. It is the oldest baroque garden in Galicia, where water is the main feature. The entrance fee is 10 euros per person.

Ibarrola Park

OLEIROS

Also known as San Paio Park, after the famous nearby chapel, this is a historic 19th-century garden that expresses romanticism at its finest. It’s famous for its collection of climbing plants, but this spot is pure nature. Its two shade maples, tree ferns, aged apple trees, collection of camellias, magnolias, azaleas, and rhododendrons are just some of the elements that make this park a magical place.

Pazo de Mariñán

BERGONDO

A classic of the As Mariñas region with a garden divided into three areas: ornamental, horticultural, and woodland. The exterior was designed at the beginning of the 19th century by a French gardener, where stone, water, and, of course, vegetation blend together. Moreover, this pazo has two unique features: a small pier that was once used to cross the Ría de Betanzos, and the so-called "Garden of Words," created in 1997, where distinguished visitors plant a tree and leave a message for the future at its base.

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