Parque de Ferrera, Avilés

Parque de Ferrera is the largest municipal park in Avilés, a city in Asturias, northern Spain, sitting right at the edge of the historic quarter (Casco Histórico). Covering 81,000 m², it is one of thirteen public parks in the city — by far the biggest and the most visited.

Where does the name come from?

For centuries the land belonged to the successive Marquises of Ferrera and formed part of the estate attached to the palace of the same name. The title of Marquis of Ferrera was granted to the Navia-Arango family in 1697, and the property stayed in private hands for generations afterward. It wasn't until the second half of the 20th century that lengthy negotiations began between the city council and the owners, aimed at turning the grounds into a public space. Those talks eventually succeeded: the park officially opened on 19 May 1976, with King Juan Carlos I presiding over the inauguration.

What is there to see?

Ferrera splits into two clearly distinct sections. The first is laid out in English style — open meadows, a water pond, and wooded stretches holding century-old specimens of yews, cedars, pines, oaks, birches and chestnut trees. This is where the park's scale and its looser, more natural character come through most strongly.

The second section is the French garden, added by the local government in 1998 and located directly behind the palace. Unlike the free-flowing composition of the English side, the French garden follows the symmetry and geometric precision typical of the style. The contrast between the two halves is one of the reasons the park is considered one of the most striking in all of Asturias.

How do you get there?

The park sits within Avilés's historic center, so the easiest way to reach it is on foot — a walk from the old town usually takes no more than fifteen minutes or so. Avilés has good train and bus connections to Oviedo and Gijón, and marked walking routes lead from the city center straight to the park entrance. Its coordinates are roughly 43.556°N, -5.922°W, which makes it easy to locate on any digital map.

When is the best time to visit?

The park can be visited year-round, but spring and early summer are when the vegetation looks its best — particularly the mature trees of the English section and the flower beds of the French garden. Thanks to its large open meadows, the park also works well as a quiet spot for a walk outside peak tourist season, when visitor numbers are lower.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Parque de Ferrera? It covers 81,000 m², making it the largest of Avilés's thirteen public parks.

When did the park open to the public? Officially on 19 May 1976, following long negotiations between the city council and the private owners; King Juan Carlos I presided over the opening.

How do the two sections of the park differ? The English-style section has a loose, natural layout with century-old trees and a pond, while the French garden, added in 1998, is symmetrical and geometric, sitting directly behind the palace.

Who owned the land before it became a public park? For centuries it belonged to the successive Marquises of Ferrera of the Navia-Arango family, a title granted in 1697.