Aranjuez: Royal Palace, Gardens and Tagus

Aranjuez is a cultural landscape that combines historic vegetable gardens, tree-lined avenues, wooded areas, royal ornamental gardens and a historic town centre dating from the 18th century. On the banks of the Tagus stands the Palacio Real de Aranjuez, a royal residence. Inside is the Gabinete de Porcelana, whose walls and ceilings are decorated with porcelain reliefs.

Culture and History

The history of the present-day palace dates back to an order issued by Felipe II in 1561: he ordered the replacement of Aranjuez’s former maestral residence with a new building that preceded today’s Palacio Real. The Museo Taurino de Aranjuez is housed in the two-hundred-year-old Plaza de Toros de Aranjuez. This bullring is one of only three arenas built before 1800 that are considered historic-artistic sites.

At the Museo de Falúas Reales, you can see a collection of boats used by the Spanish kings to travel on the Tagus. The Teatro Real Carlos III de Aranjuez is a restored architectural structure from the 18th century.

Gardens and Landscape

The Jardín de la Isla is an Italo-Flemish Renaissance garden surrounded by the waterways of the Tagus. The Jardín del Príncipe is a historic garden located between Calle de la Reina and the Tagus. This garden contains the Real Casa del Labrador, a Neoclassical building. The Chinese structures include a classical temple and a Chinese pagoda.

The Jardín del Parterre is one of the few examples of classical French garden design. The Jardín de Isabel II is said to have been the first urban garden area in Aranjuez created for public use. The different garden forms thus connect named historical periods and architectural influences, without the grounds being reducible to a single style.

Other Places

If you would also like to discover other destinations in the wider surrounding area, you can find Paracuellos De Jarama, Navas Del Rey, Patones, El Gasco, Moralzarzal, Cercedilla, Villavieja Del Lozoya and Becerril De La Sierra here.

Travelling by Rail and Water

The Tren de la Fresa connects Madrid and Aranjuez with a historic train made up of carriages with a century of history. In spring and autumn, it runs between Madrid and Aranjuez on Saturdays and Sundays, recreating a 19th-century journey. On the Tagus, Club Piragüismo Aranjuez rents canoes and stand-up paddleboards by the hour, allowing you to explore the river at your own pace. El Curiosity also offers a 45-minute boat trip on the Tagus.

The season, duration and type of activity create different time-related considerations that you can compare when planning your personal itinerary for the day.

Nature, Produce and Wine

The nature trails in Aranjuez lead through riparian forests, fruit and vegetable gardens, and tree-lined paths. In the vicinity of Aranjuez, Mar de Ontígola offers an ecologically valuable hiking route suitable for all age groups.

The Museo de la Fresa y la Huerta de Aranjuez offers a guided outdoor tour where you can learn about the secrets of producing strawberries, asparagus and other produce from the riverside gardens. Under the “Huerta Abierta” concept, produce can be purchased directly in the growing areas in Aranjuez. In the vicinity of Aranjuez, Bodega del Real Cortijo offers an introduction to the art of wine tasting.

For the broader travel overview: Madrid.