The Pinya de Rosa Botanical Garden, located near the resort of Blanes, is said to combine science and art. There are more than 7,000 species of plants from all over the world, spread over 50 hectares. If you want something to see in the Costa Brava, a part of Spain renowned for its natural beauty, visit this intimate garden. Invite your child to collect a herbarium here, and the dried leaves of exotic trees and flowers will be a reminder of a summer trip.
The Pinya de Rosa botanical garden opened in 1945. Dr Fernando Riviera de Caralt, the creator of this flora collection, worked here for almost 50 years. In 2003, the government of Catalonia declared the garden a natural area of national importance. But for visitors, there is more to it than that: they can visit both the austere, regular-style park, the impenetrable jungle and the rows of cacti and succulents.
These drought-resistant plants are the highlight of the botanical garden in Blanes. Cacti reign supreme here, tiny or enormous, flat or round, prickly or wrapped in delicate fuzz, plain or inviting with bright colours. If you come across a plant similar to the one that lives on your windowsill at home, you can read its scientific name on a plaque.
Children can learn exciting facts about the cacti that grow here. For example, opuntia is depicted on the coat of arms of Mexico, carnegiea reaches a height of 15 metres and weighs up to 10 tonnes, and melon cactus is used to make sweets. The collection of agave, aloe, yucca and lithops is the most complete in Europe. There is very little shade in the part of the Pinya de Rosa where the cacti and succulents grow. To hide from the sun, take a stroll through the deciduous garden. There's a small pond with fish in it. There are benches along the alleys. There is also a café with ice cream and refreshments in the garden.
The Pinya de Rosa garden is located by the sea, but the coastline is rocky in this area. The bus that goes to Pinya de Rosa also stops at the picturesque Marimurtra botanical garden, which concentrates all the beauty of the plant life of Catalonia.
