Park of the Doves

The Parque de la Paloma, or Park of the Doves in English, is one of the attractions in Benalmadena. TripAdvisor reported that it is one of the 25 most beautiful parks in Europe.

It is a big park – over 200,000 square meters, and is home not only to doves and pigeons, but parrots, chickens, ducks and goats. The family friendly park is strategically located fifteen minutes’ walk from the town center and about ten minutes’ walk from the Costal de Sol.

There are cafes, children’s playgrounds, a pond, a cactus garden, a library and vast open grounds for picnics. There is also an open area where there are, sometimes, performances during summer evenings.

The man-made pond is home to turtles, ducks, and fishes. It is only two feet deep. There used to be a pair of swans. But they are seemed to have disappeared.

One of three cafes in the park with a children’s playground beside it.

A cactus garden with, supposedly, 400 species of cactus.

Doves and pigeons, of which there are many. Some visitors bring along feeds for them. In this way, the doves and pigeons will gather around you, or follow you around. It keeps the children entertained.

Chickens. They used to roam the park. Now, they are kept in pens.

The goats are of Spanish indigenous breed.

This enclosure is still empty. It was used to keep two donkeys. But they are not around any more.

Another children’s playground.

Many water points - for people as well as for the birds.

Big open spaces for picnics.

Some random shots of the park.

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