What to see / Parks and gardens

Although the park is called by the general name Alameda, it consists of three different parts: Paseo da Alameda, Carballeira ("oak grove" in Galician) de Santa Susana and Paseo da Ferradura. The resulting park has, since the 19th century, been the most important reference point for the walks and leisure of Santiago's residents; it is characterised by its pleasant atmosphere, as a kind of natural lounge.

Leaving behind the small garden of San Roque, on grounds that used to belong to the hospital and chapel of the same name, we arrive at the Dominican convent's old estate and cemetery, which have been turned into a city park by the Galician architect Isabel Aguirre and Portuguese Álvaro Siza.

The park follows the Belvís watercourse, an elongated area make up of several meadows watered by a small stream. The walls, terraces and historical paths, such as the picturesque lane called As Trompas, have been respected in this park's project.

An ambitious project was approved in 1929 to create students' residences and other university facilities, which form the basis of the present-day South Campus. This project involved an extension of 'and also an alternative to- the congested existing city, following the 19th-century hygiene-based ideas of 'green city' or 'garden city'.

The Convent of San Lourenzo de Trasouto was founded at the beginning of the 12th century in a shady oak grove on the banks of the River Sarela. Outside this building, which was eventually turned into a palace ('pazo' in Galician) and is now a distinguished restaurant for special occasions, there is still a luxuriant grove of centuries-old oak trees.

It is situated in the O Paxonal neighbourhood, also known by the general name of A Ponte Pedriña, very close to the train station. It is one of Compostela's most extensive parks, with spectacular views of the city and an outstanding configuration: its landscaped and grassy areas gradually turn into a luxuriant oak grove on the river banks, completely separate from the nearby city.

Galeras Park runs along the banks of the small river Sarela, in a flat area where it is joined by the Corgo stream. This watercourse is delimited in the west by the Finca do Espiño estate (with luxuriant vegetation and a romantic modernist mansion) and Monte Pío (the president of Galicia's official residence), and in the east by the old town; this enables us to compare the scale of large singular buildings (Cathedral, former hospital, etc) with that of the small houses and rural constructions leading up to Monte Pedroso.

This walkway is per se a world of its own, completely separate from the city; it runs through woodland and suggests excursion, adventure, discovery and direct contact with nature. It follows the small river Sarela and reveals the historical importance of such watercourses as regards shaping the landscape: bridges, irrigation ditches, channels, waterwheels, tanneries...

A large natural space on the slopes of Monte Pedroso (Compostela's most emblematic hill), halfway between a city park -due to its configuration, layout and facilities- and forest; in fact, it is bordered by the Monte Pedroso Forest Park.

The 4-kilometre-long walk surrounded by the city and hills takes you through rural Santiago, featuring fields of crops, hillside terraces, waterwheels, irrigation channels and a riverside forest, passing by the beautiful Collegiate Church of Sar, the “Camino Real” and the Romanesque bridge before reaching Eugenio Granell Park.

The Bosque de Galicia (Forest of Galicia) rises up on the slopes of Monte Gaiás with 7,000 native trees (oaks, chestnuts, willows, birches, alders, hawthorns, service trees and laurels…), a new 24-hectare green space that increases the area’s biodiversity and enhances Santiago’s environmental metabolism, while helping to integrate the “Cidade da Cultura” (City of Culture) into Compostela, so that visitors can reach it on foot.

Parque do Lago is the third green space on Monte Gaiás, in addition to the Forest of Galicia and Literary Garden, with an area of 51,163 square metres in which to enjoy nature. Located on the Gaiás slope near O Viso, Parque do Lago is a landscape regeneration project led by the architect Isabal Aguirre, director of the Juana de Vega Foundation’s Galician Landscaping School.

These are directly linked with the previous parks, forming a corridor along both sides of the road. They are situated in the area of the Vite neighbourhood, very close to the bus station and the Galician Government's central administrative buildings. 

Following the suggested alternative itinerary, the park is accessed via San Caetano Park. Situated in the Almáciga neighbourhood, very close to the bus station, it occupies the city's highest hill, making it a privileged watchtower with excellent views of the surrounding landscape. It is linked to San Domingos de Bonaval Park by means of Teo street.

This green, tapestry-like meadow is located at the foot of the Auditorio de Galicia (which explains its name) and on the banks of the small Corgo stream. The stream is the park's main element, forming a large mirror-lake that reflects the auditorium's contemporary architecture. The park features a surrealist sculpture by the Galician artist Eugenio Granell that stands out due to its height and bright colours.

This park was once a private garden, as shown by its sturdy outer wall, the statues guarding the way, its trees (palm trees, orange trees, apple trees, camellias, monkey puzzle trees, etc, some of which are more than a hundred years old), its pavilion and other shady corners in which to sit and rest.

Situated beside each other, in contact with Music in Compostela Park, near the bus terminus. The two form a well-kept area with extensive green spaces, good sports facilities and a children's park. 

Situated alongside a watercourse, beside Xixón Park, near the bus terminus. They make up an area with a lot of shade, crossed by the Corgo stream, with good services and extensive areas for walking.

Situated in the As Fontiñas neighbourhood, it includes the park itself, located on a hilltop, as well as the landscaped areas surrounding the blocks of flats. It stands out as one of the city's most extensive green areas and due to its fine panoramic view.