Parque José Luis Sampedro

Parque José Luis Sampedro is a small municipal park in O Real, the administrative center of the Oleiros municipality in the province of A Coruña, Galicia, about 10 km from the city of A Coruña. It sits within the Obelisco residential development and was officially opened on 22 June 2013, when a commemorative plaque was unveiled honoring José Luis Sampedro Sáez — a Spanish economist, writer and humanist known for advocating a more humane and solidary economy. Sampedro received Spain's Order of Arts and Letters in 2010 and the National Prize for Spanish Letters in 2011; he died in April 2013, just months before the park bearing his name was inaugurated.

How do you get there?

The park lies right in the administrative heart of Oleiros, close to Praza de Galicia and the parish church of Santa María de Oleiros. Visitors coming from A Coruña can reach it easily by car or local bus toward O Real — the trip usually takes about fifteen minutes. The park fronts Camiño Laxe, so it's easy to find once you're heading into the town center. It also appears as a waypoint on several walking and cycling routes linking Oleiros with nearby Mera beach and the San Roque chapel, as documented on hiking and cycling route platforms like Wikiloc.

What will you see there?

The park functions as a green pocket within a more densely built part of O Real — a spot locals use for daily walks, jogging, and a bit of shade and quiet. Given its scale as a neighborhood park, it isn't a major standalone attraction, but it makes a pleasant stop for anyone exploring Oleiros on foot or by bike. Inside, a plaque commemorates José Luis Sampedro, referencing his legacy as an economist and writer who championed a fairer economic model. For visitors interested in active recreation, the park works well as a starting point for longer routes toward the coast — Mera beach and other green spaces in Oleiros, a municipality known for investing in public parks and gardens, are all within a few kilometers.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and summer (May–September) are the best months to visit, when Galicia's oceanic climate favors walking and the surrounding coastal paths and cycling routes are at their most scenic and accessible. In autumn and winter the park still serves its everyday recreational role for residents, though more frequent rain can make longer walks in the surrounding area less comfortable.

Why does this place stand out?

Parque José Luis Sampedro is a good example of how smaller municipalities like Oleiros use public space to honor figures important to Spain's cultural and intellectual history. For visitors touring the area around A Coruña, it can be a quiet, worthwhile stop — especially combined with a visit to the nearby Santa María de Oleiros church or Praza de Galicia.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the park located? In O Real, the main settlement of the Oleiros municipality, on Camiño Laxe, about 10 km from central A Coruña.

Who was José Luis Sampedro? A Spanish economist, writer and humanist, honored with Spain's Order of Arts and Letters (2010) and the National Prize for Spanish Letters (2011). The park was named after him in 2013, the year he died.

Is the park worth a longer walk? The park itself is small, but it connects to nearby walking and cycling routes leading to Mera beach and other points around Oleiros.

Is it well connected to A Coruña? Yes, O Real is about 10 km from A Coruña and reachable by car or local bus service.