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Aranjuez
Destinations › Europe › Spain › Community of Madrid

Aranjuez

Population: 60.000 Since: Royal town laid out from 1747 Price: Mid-range
warning Wildfires (Spain): Forest fires in Spain · Check official travel advisories before you go.

Introduction

Aranjuez sits where the Tagus and Jarama rivers meet, about 50 km south of Madrid on the flat valley floor. The town grew up around a royal palace and its gardens, and since 2001 the whole landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The scale is human: wide tree-lined avenues, water everywhere, and a grid of streets that is easy to walk.

Come in spring for the strawberries and asparagus, or early September for the town fair. It is calmer than the capital, and locals still call themselves ribereños, river people. A day trip works, but a night lets you see the gardens empty at dawn.

Sightseeing

Royal Palace of Aranjuez: 18th century residence, see the Porcelain Study and Throne Room.
Jardin de la Isla: formal gardens tucked against the palace, encircled by river channels.
Jardin del Principe: large riverside park with a Chinese garden and botanical planting.
Real Casa del Labrador: a small ornate pavilion inside the Prince's Garden.
Museo de Faluas Reales: collection of the royal barges once used on the Tagus.
Plaza Eliptica: oval park with shaded walkways leading toward the station.

"Royal gardens where two rivers meet"Aranjuez

Things to do

Chiquitren road-train: hop the tourist train between the palace and the outlying gardens.
Riverside walk: follow the Tagus paths through the Jardin del Principe on foot or by bike.
Canoeing: paddle stretches of the Tagus, gear available near the campsite off the M-305.
Strawberry Train: seasonal heritage train from Madrid with strawberries served on board.
Garden picnic: buy local produce at the market and eat under the plane trees.

Top attractions

Local food and drinks - Aranjuez

Local food and drinks

Fresas de Aranjuez: the local strawberries, at their best in May and June.
Esparragos: white thick spears or thin green brotes, a spring staple.
Alcachofas: small artichokes tender enough to eat whole.
Tapas gratis: order a drink at a bar and a saucer of olives, tortilla or croquettes usually arrives free.
Vinos de Madrid: local red and white table wines poured cheaply in town bars.
Local traditions - Aranjuez

Local traditions

Feria de Aranjuez: town fair in early September with a funfair, concerts and food stalls.
Motin de Aranjuez re-enactment: costumed street play of the 1808 uprising against Godoy, with fireworks.
Sacrificio Goyesque: bullfight in dress inspired by Goya's paintings.
Raft race: a lighthearted contest run by the self-styled pirates of the Tajo.

History

Aranjuez was one of the sites the Spanish crown reserved as a royal spring residence. The current palace dates from the 18th century, and from 1747 the surrounding town was laid out on a planned grid to house the roughly 700 families who served the court. The gardens, canals and avenues were designed together as one landscape, which is why UNESCO listed the whole estate rather than a single building.

In March 1808 the town gave its name to the Motin de Aranjuez, a revolt against the minister Godoy, widely blamed for letting Napoleon's troops into Spain. The unrest forced King Charles IV to abdicate in favour of his son and helped trigger the Peninsular War.

Things to know

Palace and gardens keep separate hours and some gardens close earlier in winter; check before you go.
Most restaurants and shops close in the afternoon, roughly 4pm to 8pm.
Overnight parking or sleeping in car parks and public spaces is not allowed.
If you have a shellfish or pork allergy, ask, since many dishes are garnished with mariscos or cooked with pork.

Do's and don'ts

Try the strawberries and asparagus if you visit in spring.
Walk or cycle between the two main garden areas.
Accept the free tapas that comes with your drink.
Take the cercanias train from Madrid to skip the drive.
Don't expect Madrid nightlife; the town is quiet after dark.
Don't sleep overnight in car parks, it is prohibited.
Don't rush the gardens; they are large and spread out.
Don't assume everything stays open through the afternoon siesta.

Good to know

Accessibility: Flat streets and level garden paths make much of the town workable by wheelchair, though some palace areas have steps.
Price level: mid-range

Popular routes here

15 nights · 11 stops Iberian Coasts & Old Towns Madrid → Aranjuez

Photo: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons