10 interesting parks in Madrid and its surroundings
Madrid is greener than you think, and hides green pearls all around the city. In the city center, one can find very well-known parks, such as the Parque del Retiro or Campo del Moro. But there are many more interesting parks in Madrid, well worth to head out a bit out of the city. We list some lovely green discoveries in Madrid’s surroundings here.
1. Casa de Campo
Still quite central in the city, with a dazzling 1750 hectares of greenery. Formerly a hunting ground for the Spanish royal family, it now houses parkland, Madrid’s zoo and an amusement park. One of the most famous parts of the park is its large lake, situated on the side of central Madrid. Read more.
2. Madrid Río
If you only have the time to visit one park in Madrid, make it Madrid Río. One of our favourite parks in the city, because of its history (underneath it runs a highway, that got covered to build this park). Besides greenery, you’ll find the super interesting Matadero cultural center here, as well as cycling tourism project Rutas Pangea. Read more.
3. Parque de Berlín
Most remarkable about this park are the many references to Berlin. You’ll find a piece of the Berlin Wall inside, but also statues, for instance of a bear, the symbol of Berlin, and the main fountain to be found within the park is a symbol of the demolishing of the Berlin Wall. (Metro: Concha Espina). Read more.
4. Parque Emperatriz María de Austria
A really local park, one that is abundantly used by the citizens of this neighbourhood. Together with Parque de Pradolongo, which lays next to it, the park forms a green lung in this area of Madrid (Metro: Plaza Elíptica). Read more.
5. Parque de la Cuña Verde de Latina
When you’re into wide, impressive views on the city of Madrid, you should consider to visit Parque de la Cuña Verde de Latina. It’s a tranquil and quite unknown spot in the city, offering you a quiet place to enjoy the viewspots, which you can find all around the park. (Metro: Laguna). Read more.
6. Dehesa de la Villa
This park truly has the atmosphere and style of a forest, with more than 60 hectares of park surface. The remarkable and beautiful trees create a tranquil atmosphere in this park which was a former hunting ground. (Metro: Francos Rodríguez). Read more.
7. Parque de El Capricho
One of the most popular parks in Madrid among locals, because of its divine beauty. The park was built a few centuries ago and thus carries a lot of historic features, such as the fountains, a palace, etc. Combined with the natural beauty, this creates a very unique setting. (Metro: Capricho). Read more.
8. Parque Quinta de los Molinos
A historic park, with well managed trees and a well-known lake. A remarkable feature of this park is the mill to be found here, though there is one thing really setting it apart: the large amount of almond trees, which offer a true spectacle when they are in bloom. (Metro: Suanzes). Read more.
9. Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares
This and the next spot are further out of the city, but natural beauties that are more than worth the trip. The Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares is the largest nature reserve in the Madrid region. Its beauty is indescribable, with plenty of different landscapes, declared as a Biosphere reserve by Unesco. A zone not to be missed is that of La Pedriza, famous for its astonishing rock formations.
10. Reservoir of San Juan
The Reservoir of San Juan (Embalse de San Juan) is a great place to check out on the plenty of warm Madrid days. This huge reservoir has as one of its functions to provide Toledo with water, but perhaps it’s even more known as “the beach of Madrid”. Swimming is allowed at certain spots, and with its natural background, that’s a true delight.
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