Aldea del Fresno between rivers, nature and cultural heritage

Aldea del Fresno preserves, in the historic remains of the Puente de La Pedrera, a testimony from the 18th century. The bridge is classified as a Bien de Interés Patrimonial and has been consolidated and converted into a museum site. A footbridge is intended to provide access to this setting and to the history of this infrastructure at the site of the remains.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Aldea del Fresno, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the accommodation listing pages. Take your time to check this information when planning your stay around days of swimming, culture and longer routes.

Culture and history

The Iglesia San Pedro Apóstol was built in 1752. Its tower is classified as protection level 2 in Aldea del Fresno’s 1986 catalogue of protected buildings. On the banks of the Río Perales stand the ruins of the Noria Árabe, which are catalogued with protection level 2; some authors date the structure to a period before the 12th century.

The Granja El Santo is a building complex of provincial interest. Its oldest element is the Ermita de San Saturio or San Saturnín from the 14th century, which is classified as being of regional historical and artistic interest. The Granja is located about 2.5 kilometres from Aldea del Fresno in the direction of Chapinería and can be reached via a private road. Aldea del Fresno also hosts patron-saint festivals in honour of San Pedro Apóstol.

Nature

Playa del Alberche is a sandy beach at the confluence of the Alberche and Perales rivers and the Berciana stream, in a wooded landscape in Aldea del Fresno. According to the Comunidad de Madrid, it is a natural bathing area suitable for swimming in summer. Playa del Alberche has accessible parking spaces; the water there is usually not deep. Several access points for evacuation in the event of a rescue operation have been created for the bathing area of the recreation zone.

Part of the municipality of Aldea del Fresno lies within a Zona de Especial Protección para las Aves, or ZEPA for short, a special protection area for birds. The Cañada Segoviana - Playa del Alberche route passes through a dehesa characterised by holm oaks, where deer, wild boar and other wildlife can be found. The Cordel de las Merinas passes through Mediterranean holm-oak woodland that provides a habitat for woodland birds and reveals traces of mammals.

Trails and activities

The Cordel de las Merinas circular route is 18 kilometres long and can be travelled by bicycle, on horseback or on foot; it begins in the centre of Aldea del Fresno. The Cañada Segoviana - Playa del Alberche route is a 19-kilometre circular route of low difficulty and also begins in the town centre. It leads to the banks of the Río Alberche and to the Playa del Alberche recreation area. The different route lengths and means of transport can be compared directly.

For mountain bikes, the Ruta MTB por Aldea del Fresno y el Río Perales offers a 39-kilometre, moderately difficult circular route with an elevation gain of 556 metres. It begins at the municipal swimming pool via the Paseo de la Estación. At Safari Madrid, children and adults can learn how different animal species behave and what mutual respect between animals and keepers entails. Among other animals, visitors can see rhinoceroses, giraffes, elephants, lions and tigers.

Further destinations: Navacerrada, Santorcaz, Colmenar Viejo, Berzosa Del Lozoya, San Fernando De Henares, Coslada, Vaciamadrid, Humanes De Madrid.

To the higher-level travel overview: Madrid.