Although a priori as any big city, Madrid seems more interested in cement than in the trees; you will be surprised to know that there are many parks in the city that offer shelter to the citizens eager of nature. The Retiro Park and Casa de Campo are the biggest and best-known parks in Madrid, but there are many gardens and parks to visit in this city. Let’s take a tour through the important parks in Madrid.
©Gregorio Puga Bailón
Quinta de la Fuente del Berro
Literally this park is called “Cottage of the watercress fountain”…. A really funny name but closely associated with nature. This is one of the historic gardens of Madrid, as it supplied of drinking water the Royal Palace for centuries. It was founded in the 17th-century, but it was not declared a public park until 1954. More than a park, this is a landscaped-style garden decorated with sculptures and centenary trees.
Address
Calle de los Peñascales, s/n. 28028, Madrid.
Opening Hours
October to March, daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. April to September, daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is O’Donnell (Line 6).
Gardens of the Palace of the Príncipe de Anglona
This little green haven in Segovia Street, in downtown Madrid, was a private garden in the past. It was created in 1750, but the current design is from 1920 and its creator was Xavier de Winthuysen. It is difficult to find the entrance, since the park is gated all around by an old wall. The best way to find the entrance is getting by the Plaza de la Paja. The Prince’s Palace of Anglona by the park, was built in the seventeenth century in Castilian style. Nowadays, this noble manor houses a famous restaurant.
Address
Calle Príncipe Anglona. 28005, Madrid.
Opening Hours
October to March, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. April to September, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is La Latina (Line 5).
©Dinkum
Sabatini Gardens
The Sabatini Gardens are one of the most famous in the city, since they are part of the Royal Palace complex. They were created in the 30’s, on land occupied before by the royal stables. In addition to its beautiful disposition, these gardens show incredible sculptures matching the style of the Palace. This green space is part of the Madrid of the Austrias Tour.
Address
Calle Bailén, 2. 28013, Madrid.
Opening Hours
October to April, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. May to September, daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is Príncipe Pío (Lines 6, 10 and R).
Parque Lineal del Manzanares
This is one of the newest parks in the city; it is essentially an open space that accompanies the passing of the Manzanares River along Madrid. The park has been constantly evolving since its inauguration in 2.000, adding recovered spaces of the city. Besides being a vast green area, this park counts sports equipment (soccer fields, running tracks and outdoor gym). Despite being extensively decorated, the most famous figure lands on The Watchtower, a mountain of rubble converted into parkland and topped with the sculpture “Lady of Manzanares” by Manuel Valdés.
Opening Hours
October to April, daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. May to September, daily from 7:00 a.m. to midnight.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is Hospital 12 de Octubre (Line 3).
©Bjaglin de Suecia
Campo del Moro
Campo del Moro is one of the three gardens decorating the Madrid’s Royal Palace. This space has a steep slope that communicates the banks of the Manzanares River with the Palace. The garden has fountains, and sculptures of Villanueva, the royal sculptor. There are also some curious Tyrolean style houses that were built by order of Queen Maria Cristina of Habsburg. This garden is full of surprises, there is an artificial cave created by Villanueva, and also the Museum of Royal Carriages.
Address
Paseo Virgen del Puerto, s/n. 280058, Madrid.
Opening Hours
October to March, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. May to September, daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is Príncipe Pío (Lines 6, 10 and R).
Arganzuela Greenhouse
This incredible construction is part of the Matadero Madrid complex and is one of the local’s favorite park. The greenhouse counts with a central area and four smaller rooms exhibiting microclimates tropical, subtropical and desert flora. Besides the plants there are rivers and ponds with fishes and other species, everything magically created. The building is a heritage piece, since it was designed by architect Luis Bellido and Gonzalez between 1908 and 1928. Popularly known as the “Ship of Potatoes”, the structure was restored and renovated to be use as a greenhouse in 1992.
Address
Paseo Chopera, 10. 28045, Madrid.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is Legazpi (Lines 3 and 6).
©La Citta Vita
Madrid Río Park
Madrid Rio is one of the newest parks in Madrid. Opened in 2011, this green space separates the highway from the banks of the Manzanares River. This is a modern park with equipment, including ten playgrounds, exhibition areas served by Matadero Madrid and entertainment areas. The park most shocking elements are the five bridges over the river, particularly the Andorra Bridge, the Shell Bridge and the Perrault Bridge designed by French architect Dominique Perrault.
Opening Hours
Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Getting Here
The park has several entrances this are the metro station corresponding to each entrance: Príncipe Pio (Lines 6 and 10), Puerta del Ángel (Line 6), Pirámides (Line 5), Marqués de Vadillo (Line 5), Legazpi (Lines 3 and 6) and Almendrales (Line3).
Juan Carlos I Park
The Parque Juan Carlos I has a secret, its beautiful greenhouse also called “estufa fría”. This is one of the most beautiful green areas of the city, after the Botanical Gardens and the Atocha Station. The 4,000 square meter greenhouse exposes some 220 species of exotic plants. Best of all, this is an ecological greenhouse, which uses sunlight and natural heat to preserve this incredible garden. Garden lover will enjoy this plants catalogue from around the globe.
Address
Glorieta Don Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, s/n. 28042, Madrid.
Opening Hours
From June to September, daily from 7:00 a.m. to midnight. From October to May, daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Getting Here
The closest metro station is Campo de las Naciones (Line 8).
