The Jardín Canario de Viera y Clavijo, or Botanic Garden, is a magical place that provides a home to hundreds of plants, trees, and strange flowers from practically all over the world.

A natural treasure comprising an enormous botanical repertoire kept safely in a garden bursting with different species.

This enclosure, located on the edge of the Guiniguada ravine, shows visitors the abundance of plant life not only from the Canary Islands but also from the rest of the Macaronesia region (Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde...).

Short History of the Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden was set up in 1952 by an extraordinary Swede, Eric Sventenius, who dreamed of gathering a representation of all the islands’ botanical riches in just one place, creating the perfect environment for each plant to feel just as much at home as in its place of origin.

This was how the Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo came about, located in the Tafira area on the outskirts of the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

This amazing nature-lover spent his whole life constructing this garden, taking care of every last detail not only in the here and now but also considering how each and every plant would blend in over the years, when they would be fully grown

Absolutely nothing in this garden has been left to chance. Thanks to his tireless work, we can now say that we have one of the Canary Islands’ best botanic gardens, as it is the largest Botanic Garden in Spain, stretching over almost 27 acres.

On 23rd June 1973, a fatal road accident right in front of the Garden took the life of Eric Sventenius. His grave lies in shady laurel forest area, where the Botanic Garden staff can pay homage and give thanks to its founder every year.

After Eric’s death, other naturalists took up his work, continuing tasks to study and consolidate this special place, where they are currently developing many lines of research, seeking scientific knowledge of the plant life that is exclusive to the archipelago.

The Botanic Garden is divided up according to its different species, so that it is easy to see the diverse ecosystems within the island.

Shall we take a stroll through the main area of the Botanic Garden?

If you enter the garden from the Dragonal road (GC310), you’ll be led directly to the “Plaza de las Palmeras” (Palm Tree Square) where you’ll find all the endemic palm tree species that have developed on the archipelago’s islands.

Another area that has been marked out is the “Jardín de las islas” (Island Garden), a central garden covered with a lawn, home to a variety of endemic flower species, divided into groups, organised by their island of origin.

Opened in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Jardín Botánico Viera y Clavijo, this new area of the garden, the World Garden, is divided five ways. There is a section for each of the planet’s continents, featuring the most representative species from each one.