AlicanteCompass
A scenic view of the flood-retention lake at Parque La Marjal in Alicante. Two modern wooden benches sit on a timber observation deck, overlooking calm waters surrounded by lush aquatic plants and reeds, with white residential buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.

Alicante Compass

Parque La Marjal, Alicante.

A lake, ducks, turtles, and no entry fee. The family park most visitors to San Juan never find.

Home/Parks & Nature/Parque La Marjal

Parque La Marjal, Alicante is one of those places that works surprisingly well with kids. The ducks and turtles do most of the entertainment — you just show up. There are shaded paths and benches throughout, but the lake areas are open and sunny, so bring water and sunscreen.

It's a genuinely relaxed family park in Alicante — no entry fee, no crowds, no agenda. Just a nice hour or two outside the city noise.

Petro — AlicanteCompass
Petro

AlicanteCompass Guide

Parque La Marjal, Alicante — Visitor Guide

Everything before you go — how to get there, what to expect, facilities, and the things most visitors only find out when they arrive.

How do I get to Parque La Marjal in Alicante?
Parque La Marjal sits in the Playa de San Juan district, just a short walk from the beach. Address: Avenida de las Naciones, S/N — 03540 Alicante. Tram: Lines L3 and L4 — stop Holanda or Instituto. Bus: Lines 21 and 38. By car: Free on-street parking along Avenida de las Naciones and surrounding streets. Entry is free.
What is Parque La Marjal actually like?
Not what most people expect from a city park. Built as a flood-control reservoir, the centrepiece is a large lake surrounded by reeds and aquatic plants. Wooden bridges and gravel paths wind around the water. Ducks, herons, turtles, and dragonflies are regular residents. On a quiet morning it feels removed from the city despite being a 5-minute walk from Playa de San Juan beach.
What can you do at Parque La Marjal, Alicante?
Picnics on open lawns near the water, birdwatching from wooden observation decks, family time at modern playgrounds, and walking or jogging on flat circular gravel paths around the full perimeter. Important: no dogs allowed inside the park.
What facilities does Parque La Marjal have?
Drinking fountains throughout, shaded seating areas, and modern children's playgrounds. No public toilets inside — use facilities at the nearby beach or cafes on Avenida de las Naciones before you enter. Entry is free. Opening hours: 09:00–21:00 winter / 09:00–22:00 summer. No dogs and no cycling inside the park.
Why visit Parque La Marjal, Alicante?
One of the few places in Alicante where you can sit next to a lake, watch a heron land three metres away, and hear nothing but water and birds — while being a short walk from one of the busiest beaches on the Costa Blanca. No entry fee. No crowds. No dogs. Just a lake, some wildlife, and more time than you planned to spend there.

Parque La Marjal — Photo Gallery

Real shots of the lake, bridges, and wildlife — so you know exactly what to expect before you arrive.

A wooden bench on a shaded path at Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Park benches surrounded by vibrant bougainvillea flowers at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Tree-lined path with benches at Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Benches beneath blooming bougainvillea at Parque La Marjal, Alicante.
Flowering trees lining a pathway through Parque La Marjal Alicante in spring.
Bougainvillea in full bloom with the park landscape at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
A family of ducks swimming on the lake at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Educational information panel beside the lake at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Main entrance to Parque La Marjal in Alicante with park signage.
Flowering tree framing a view of the calm lake at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Blossoming tree beside the lake at Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Wide landscape view of flowering trees throughout Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Expansive green lawn at Parque La Marjal Alicante — ideal for picnics and family time.
Lush green park landscape with open spaces at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Gently sloped green lawn at Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Neatly trimmed hedged pathway running through Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Lakeside rest area with benches overlooking the water at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Viewpoint overlooking the peaceful lake at Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Benches positioned along the lakeside at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Ducks gathered near lakeside seating at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Shaded lakeside resting area with seating at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Wooden walkway running along the lake edge at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
A mallard duck resting on the grass at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Several mallard ducks resting on the open lawn at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Peaceful nature walking trail winding through Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Natural water habitat with reeds and aquatic plants at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Walking trail through green surroundings at Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Tranquil pond view with calm reflections at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Landscaped roundabout garden at the entrance to Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Scenic lake view with wooden observation deck and benches at Parque La Marjal Alicante — residential buildings visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
Shaded resting point with a view of the lake at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Shaded benches on a grassy lawn area at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Shaded relaxation area with seating at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Shaded walking trail under tall trees at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Official park entrance sign for Parque La Marjal in Alicante.
Spacious open lawn area at Parque La Marjal Alicante — ideal for families and picnics.
Stone benches along the lakefront at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Sunny open landscape of Parque La Marjal Alicante on a clear day.
Urban park landscape with modern design elements at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Tree-lined walking path at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Walking trail alongside reed beds at the lake edge in Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Small waterfall feeding into the lake at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Close-up view of the waterfall feature at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Wildlife-rich lake habitat with birds and aquatic plants at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Wooden footbridge crossing over the lake at Parque La Marjal Alicante.
Get Directions

La Marjal is your urban escape, but there are more secrets waiting in the city.

Keep exploring:

Playa Albufereta beach Alicante with palm trees and calm Mediterranean waterPanoramic view of Playa Albufereta beach Alicante Costa Blanca

Best Beaches in Alicante & Costa Blanca

From hidden turquoise coves to vast golden sands — find your perfect beach on the Costa Blanca.

Explore Beaches→
Altea old town viewpoint with marina port and Sierra Helada mountainsVillajoyosa waterfront colorful buildings and palm trees Alicante

Day Trips from Alicante

The Costa Blanca doesn't end at the city limits. Castles, coves, mountain towns — all within an hour.

Explore Day Trips→
El Palmeral Park Alicante with palm trees and water featuresParque de la Marjal Alicante with flowers and bench

Parks & Nature in Alicante

The green spaces, coastal paths, and quiet corners of Alicante that most visitors walk straight past.

See all parks & nature→
Explanada de España walkway in AlicanteFresh watermelons, strawberries, and brevas at Alicante's Mercado Central

Journal

First-hand notes on living, eating, and getting around Alicante — written by someone who actually lives here.

Read the journal→

Stop Guessing. Start Planning.

A small selection of tools that make Costa Blanca travel easier. Some links are affiliate — meaning I earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. I only include services I'd genuinely recommend.

Where to Stay in Alicante

Hotels, apartments, and villas across the Costa Blanca. Summer fills up fast — the good spots go first.

Book Now

Flights to Alicante

Alicante Airport (ALC) connects to most major European cities year-round. Compare and lock in the best price before it moves.

Search Flights

Rent a Car in Alicante

The Costa Blanca stretches 200km. A rental car is the only way to actually see it — buses don't go where the good stuff is.

Rent a Car

Tours & Excursions in Alicante

Day trips, boat tours, and guided excursions across the Costa Blanca — handpicked and worth your time.

Explore Tours
Petro — AlicanteCompass

Hi, I'm Petro, the face behind Alicante Compass.

This guide is free and always will be. Running it takes time, fuel, and a lot of coffee — researching places that don't show up on Google Maps, verifying details that other sites get wrong, and writing guides I'd actually want to read myself. If Alicante Compass has saved you time, money, or given you one moment worth remembering — I'd be grateful for your support. Every contribution keeps me on the road and the content free for everyone.

Fuel the Compass
Petro — AlicanteCompass