Rosaleda Francisco Sabadell

Rosaleda Francisco Sabadell is one of Valladolid's oldest and most charming gardens, stretching along the left bank of the Pisuerga River. Covering more than 35,000 square metres, the park is known for its extensive rose collection, gathering nearly every Spanish rose variety in one place. Locals treat it as a favourite spring and summer strolling ground, when the blooming shrubs fill the air with fragrance.

Where exactly is the garden located?

The park runs along Paseo de Isabel la Católica, between the Puente del Poniente bridge and the Puente de Isabel la Católica bridge. On one side it borders the Pisuerga riverbed and the Playa de las Moreras, the city's riverside beach area, making it a natural extension of the promenade that follows the water. Because of this position, a visit here pairs easily with a longer walk through Valladolid's other riverside green spaces.

Why does the park carry this name?

The garden honours Francisco Sabadell, a Catalan gardener who came to Valladolid at the end of the 19th century together with his uncle Ramón Oliva, who had been invited to redesign the Campo Grande park. Sabadell went on to become director of Valladolid's municipal gardens, and the current appearance of Campo Grande is largely his doing. In 1945 he took on a new project: creating a rose garden over a wooded promenade area that once connected the Las Moreras and Espolón Nuevo walkways. The park was later named after him in recognition of that work.

What can you expect to see while walking through it?

The Rosaleda's design draws on a romantic, almost 19th-century aesthetic. Visitors pass under lattice arches and pergolas covered in climbing roses, alongside hedges shaped to form natural backrests for benches. Dozens of rose varieties bloom at different times and in different colours, so the garden's appearance shifts through the season. It is a popular spot for photography, and its scenery has also served as a backdrop for film productions shot in Valladolid.

Is the park currently undergoing changes?

Yes. The city is carrying out the largest renovation in the garden's history, with a budget close to 876,000 euros. The works cover the renewal of the rose beds, rebuilt pathways, new lighting, replaced soil, and the installation of drip irrigation. Plans also include a new pergola, night-time lighting to highlight the garden after dark, and plantings of edible roses, aimed at giving the Rosaleda a more sensory character overall. While construction is underway, some flowerbeds may temporarily be without roses, with completion expected in the coming months.

How do you get to Rosaleda Francisco Sabadell?

The garden sits in central Valladolid along Paseo de Isabel la Católica, so it's easiest to reach on foot from the historic city centre, or by city bus lines running along the Pisuerga riverside. Since it borders other green spaces along the river, it fits naturally into a longer walking route covering several of the city's outdoor attractions.

When is the best time to visit?

Late spring and early summer bring the roses to their fullest bloom, when the garden shows off its full range of colour and scent. It's worth checking the current state of the renovation works beforehand, though, since access to some sections or the view of flowering beds may be limited while construction continues.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for the Rosaleda? No, it is a public municipal park and free to visit, like most green spaces in Valladolid.

How big is the garden? Rosaleda Francisco Sabadell covers more than 35,000 square metres along the left bank of the Pisuerga.

Who was Francisco Sabadell? A Catalan gardener and later director of Valladolid's municipal gardens, who created this rose park in 1945 after previously working on the redesign of Campo Grande.

Is the garden fully open in 2026? A major renovation covering the flowerbeds, pathways, lighting, and irrigation is underway, so some parts of the park may be temporarily closed or without blooming roses until the work is finished.