Parque dos Sentidos

Parque dos Sentidos ("Park of the Senses") is a family-friendly themed park in Marín, in the province of Pontevedra, built on the grounds of the former Finca de Briz estate. Covering roughly 23,000 square meters of a wooded hillside right in the town center, it has become one of the most inventive public leisure spaces in Galicia.

Where does the park come from?

The estate once belonged to the Briz Saraiva family, who moved their summer residence here in the 1950s, turning the property into an active social hub for the area. In 1999 the Marín town council purchased the land from the family's heirs and began transforming it — first into a municipal farm known as Granja Briz, and later, after a long rehabilitation process, into a public sensory park. Parque dos Sentidos officially opened its gates in 2011.

How do you get there?

The park sits right in the heart of Marín, a port town on the Ría de Pontevedra. It's a short drive of around fifteen minutes from Pontevedra, and about half an hour from Vigo. Admission is free, which makes it an easy half-day stop for families exploring the area with children.

What will you find inside?

The park is laid out in terraces climbing the hillside, and each level has its own theme, so walking through it feels like moving between distinct little worlds rather than one flat garden. Wooden sculptures are scattered among the trees, and one corner holds a small pond crossed by a little bridge. For younger visitors, percussion instruments are built right into the forest setting, letting children bang out their own rhythms as they explore — a more hands-on experience than a typical municipal park offers.

One of the park's signature features is a set of giant slides that make use of the natural slope of the hill, carrying visitors down from one terrace to the next. Another highlight is a water-play zone, where kids can operate channels and locks to redirect the flow of water however they like. This mix of sound, touch, and movement is exactly what gives the park its name.

When is the best time to visit?

The park is at its best in the warmer months, when the water-play area is in full use and the woodland setting, with its wooden structures, looks its greenest. Weekday mornings suit families looking for a quieter visit, while weekends and school holidays bring more visitors with children — livelier, but also busier around the slides.

Who is it for?

Parque dos Sentidos is designed primarily for families with young and older children, though the walk itself — among trees, sculptures, and glimpses of the bay — is worth it for anyone looking for a free, relaxed outing. It pairs well with a wider visit to Marín, a town with strong maritime and fishing traditions set on the Ría de Pontevedra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is admission to the park free? Yes, entry to Parque dos Sentidos is free for all visitors.

How long does a visit take? It depends on pace and the age of the children, but a relaxed walk through all the terraces, including the slides and the water-play zone, usually takes between one and two hours.

Is the park suitable for very young children? Yes — thanks to its terraced layout and range of attractions, from the percussion instruments to gentler walking paths, the park works for families with children of different ages, although the slides and water zone are especially popular with older preschoolers and school-age kids.

How far is the park from central Pontevedra? Marín sits very close to Pontevedra — a drive of around fifteen minutes — so it's easy to combine a visit to the park with sightseeing in Pontevedra itself on the same day.