Parc de la Devesa

Parc de la Devesa is the largest urban park in the whole of Catalonia and the green heart of Girona, spread across almost 40 hectares where the Ter, Güell and Onyar rivers meet, right next to the old town.

Where does the park come from historically?

The land the park now occupies is first documented as far back as the 15th century, when King Alfonso IV the Magnanimous granted the plot to the city, setting the stage for what would eventually become public space. For centuries the area was worked rather than walked: poplars and black poplars were grown here and felled for timber, some of it used for defence purposes, while orchards and grazing land filled the rest of the plot. Only in the mid-19th century did the Devesa turn into a promenade, when the first plane trees were planted. Through the 20th century it kept adding new roles — a swimming pool arrived in 1934 as the park's first sports facility, and the open ground was also used for military parades.

What is there to see inside the park?

The centrepiece of the Devesa is its grand avenue of more than 2,600 plane trees, most of them planted around 1850. These are hybrids of American and Oriental plane varieties, and they have grown to roughly 55 metres — well beyond what the species typically reaches. The reason lies in how densely they were planted: standing so close together, the trees stretched upward competing for light, which is why the avenue today feels almost like a green cathedral. The park itself is listed as a cultural asset by the Catalan heritage authorities, a status that reflects its historical and landscape value well beyond an ordinary city green space.

How do you get to Parc de la Devesa?

The park sits right next to Girona's historic centre, so walking is by far the easiest way in — from the cathedral area or Rambla de la Llibertat it's no more than a ten-minute stroll. It works naturally as a resting point after exploring the old town, since the long rows of plane trees offer shade even on hot days, and the nearby Ter and Onyar rivers make for a pleasant extension of the walk.

When is the best time to visit?

The Devesa functions as a year-round space for locals rather than a seasonal attraction. Spring and autumn suit longer walks best, while in summer the plane-tree canopy provides welcome shade from the sun. The open grounds are also used for larger outdoor events held in the city. Early mornings are the quietest option, when the avenues mostly belong to residents out running, cycling or simply walking.

Who is this park for?

The Devesa combines the role of the city's green lung with that of a sports and cultural venue. Visitors will find paths for running and cycling alongside open lawns for relaxing with children or simply sitting in the shade of century-old trees. It draws travellers looking for a break from sightseeing just as readily as it draws Gironins for whom the park is simply part of daily life.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the park? No, Parc de la Devesa is an open public space, free to enter at any time.

How long does it take to walk through the whole park? Walking the main avenues takes roughly 30 to 60 minutes depending on pace, though it's easy to spend far longer resting in the shade.

Are there places to eat or drink nearby? Cafés and restaurants can be found around the edges of the park, particularly close to the old town, though the green space itself is primarily recreational rather than commercial.

What makes the Devesa stand out from other parks in the region? Mainly its scale, as the largest urban park in Catalonia, together with its unique avenue of over 2,600 unusually tall plane trees first planted in the mid-19th century.