Huerto del Cura, Historic garden in Elche, Spain.
Huerto del Cura is a botanical garden in Elche, in southeastern Spain, known for its collection of palm trees, cacti, and other Mediterranean plants spread across a compact site. A hotel operates within the grounds, allowing guests to stay overnight among the vegetation.
The garden was created in the 19th century by chaplain José Castaño Sánchez, who planted much of what visitors see today and cared for the grounds until 1918. Over the following decades it was gradually opened to the public and a hotel was added to the site.
A replica of the Lady of Elche, one of Spain's most recognized ancient figures, stands among the palms and can be spotted while walking the paths. Sculptures and busts appear at several points along the way, giving the garden the feel of an open-air gallery.
The garden is located close to the center of Elche and is easy to reach on foot from the old town. A morning visit tends to be cooler and less crowded, which makes it easier to move along the paths at a relaxed pace.
The Imperial Palm at the heart of the garden was dedicated in 1894 to Empress Elisabeth of Austria during her visit to Elche. What makes it stand out is that it grows with several trunks branching from a single base, which is very rare among date palms.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
