Jardín de Ayora

The Ayora Garden is a calm, tree-shaded retreat around an Art Nouveau villa from the early 20th century, with barely a tourist in sight. It's a good spot to sit in the shade of a century-old tree, read for a while or let the children run around away from the crowds.

History

The complex was built around 1900 as a leisure villa for the merchant José Ayora, designed by Valencian architect Pelegrín Mustieles in modernista (Art Nouveau) style. Back then this stretch of the Algirós road was market gardens and farmhouses, not built up until the 1960s. The villa was nearly demolished in 1983; a last-minute protection order saved it. Today the roughly 17,000 m² garden keeps much of its original vegetation: more than 40 tree species and the classic Valencian ceramic benches.

What to see and do

• The villa's Art Nouveau facade, now home to the local adult-education centre.
• The century-old trees and shaded nooks.
• The ceramic benches and ornamental details of the period.

Practical tips

Entry is free. It's in the Algirós district, well connected by metro and bus, on the way towards the seaside neighbourhood of El Cabanyal. It's an easy stop to combine with a stroll on the beach or a visit to Benimaclet.

Insider tip

Local secret: almost no one passing along the avenue suspects this oasis hides behind the railings, so it's rarely busy. Bring a book and a coffee to go: it's the kind of break that doesn't make it into the guidebooks. For more corners like this, there's our secrets of Valencia section and the free things to do guide; for more gardens, there's also the Monforte Gardens.