What to See in Aranjuez: Itinerary, Highlights & Tours
Aranjuez is a UNESCO World Heritage site about 48 kilometers south of Madrid, known for its blend of royal history and beautiful landscapes. The Royal Palace, once the Spanish Crown’s spring home, stands at the center of gardens shaped by the Tagus and Jarama rivers. These rivers made it possible to create impressive gardens like the Island Garden, Parterre Garden, and Prince's Garden, each with its own style, from French Baroque to English landscape design. The gardens are filled with fountains, sculptures, waterfalls, and rare plants that reflect Enlightenment-era science. Inside the palace, you can visit 18th-century rooms such as the Porcelain Room, Arab Room, and Smoking Room, all decorated with remarkable art. The historic town center, built alongside the palace, has tree-lined streets, classic plazas like Plaza de San Antonio, and the Mercado de Abastos market. Aranjuez is also famous for its sweet strawberries and green asparagus, grown with irrigation systems that have been used for centuries. The Casa del Labrador, found in the Prince’s Garden, is a neoclassical building with silk-lined rooms and fine details from the late 18th century. The Strawberry Train, a vintage steam train from Madrid, runs on weekends from April to October and brings back the feel of 19th-century travel. With its grand buildings, lovely gardens, creative landscape design, and well-known food, Aranjuez is a great choice for a day trip from Madrid.
Must-see: Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Island Garden (Jardín de la Isla), Parterre Garden, Prince's Garden, Casa del Labrador, historic town centre, Plaza de San Antonio, tree-lined streets, Tagus River walks, Mercado de Abastos
Daily budget: €25–45 (excluding accommodation)
Best time: April–June for blooming gardens and strawberry season; September–October for pleasant weather and asparagus; avoid July-August heat (35-40°C); spring offers ideal temperatures (18-25°C)
Famous for: UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape, Royal Palace and gardens (French Baroque and English styles), strawberries and asparagus, hydraulic irrigation systems, botanical innovation during the Enlightenment, 18th-century planned town, Strawberry Train from Madrid
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez served as the Spanish Crown's spring residence from the 16th to the 19th centuries, with the current structure primarily dating to the 18th century under Ferdinand VI and Charles III. Philip II established Aranjuez as a Real Sitio (Royal Site) in the 16th century, but the present palace reflects mainly 18th-century expansion when Bourbon monarchs transformed it into one of Europe's most refined royal residences. The palace architecture blends Baroque and neoclassical styles with a distinctive red-brick and white-stone façade characteristic of Habsburg-Bourbon royal buildings.
Interior highlights include the exceptional Porcelain Room, entirely lined with porcelain panels manufactured in Madrid's Royal Factory, depicting Chinese-inspired scenes and rococo motifs. The Arab Room showcases stunning Moorish Revival decoration with intricate plasterwork and geometric tile patterns inspired by the Alhambra. The Smoking Room features rich 19th-century decoration, while the Throne Room preserves ceremonial furnishings and royal portraits. The palace houses collections of tapestries, period furniture, decorative arts, and paintings documenting Spanish royal taste across three centuries.
Guided tours (approximately 1 hour) explain the palace's historical significance, architectural evolution, and the seasonal court life that animated Aranjuez each spring when the royal family, courtiers, and diplomatic corps relocated from Madrid.
Practical Info: Royal Palace in centre of Aranjuez; open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (October-March), 10am-7pm (April-September), closed Mondays; access until one hour before closing; entry €9 standard, €4 concession, children under 5 free; free entry Wednesday and Sunday 3pm-7pm for EU and Latin American citizens; guided tours Tuesday-Friday 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:15pm; allow 1.5-2 hours including gardens; essential Aranjuez visit.
The Island Garden was created in the 16th century on an island formed by the Tagus River. It is the oldest ornamental garden in Aranjuez and shows Renaissance ideas about landscape design. The garden mixes formal geometric paths with shady wooded areas, making it a cool place where Spanish royalty escaped the summer heat. Fountains and waterfalls use river water that flows through detailed irrigation systems, and sculptures of mythological creatures decorate the water features.
Queen Isabel II especially enjoyed walking in this garden, surrounded by fruit orchards, fragrant plants, and riverside paths. Some of the ancient trees here are centuries old and create a unique atmosphere with their mature canopy. The garden’s design blends 16th-century Italian style with irrigation techniques passed down from Moorish traditions in the Tagus valley.
You can visit the Island Garden for free and take your time exploring the shaded paths, finding hidden fountains, and enjoying the garden just as Spanish royalty did. It feels like a natural part of the palace experience.
Practical Info: Island Garden adjacent to the Royal Palace; free entry; open daily during daylight hours; allow 30-45 minutes; combine with Parterre Garden and a palace visit; bring comfortable walking shoes; particularly pleasant April-June, when the gardens bloom; essential for understanding Aranjuez's cultural landscape.
The Parterre Garden was built in the 18th century in the French Baroque style. It has neat geometric designs, colorful flower beds, marble vases, trimmed hedges, and gravel paths inspired by Versailles. This garden reflects the French influence during the Bourbon monarchy, when Philip V and later kings brought French garden styles to Spain. Its formal layout and decorative flowers are very different from the more natural look of the Island Garden.
The Prince’s Garden is the largest historic garden in Aranjuez. It was designed in the late 18th century in the English landscape style, with winding paths, natural plantings, open meadows, and pavilions that offer great views. This garden shows the Enlightenment’s preference for more natural-looking landscapes, inspired by English gardens and romantic ideas. In the past, it was used for hunting and private garden parties in its elegant pavilions.
The Casa del Labrador, or Farmer's House, is in the Prince's Garden and was built for Charles IV in the late 18th century. Although its name sounds simple, the building is beautifully decorated with silk-lined walls, marble floors, fine furniture, and decorative arts that show the best of late 18th-century Spanish craftsmanship.
Practical Info: Parterre and Prince's Gardens accessible from palace; Parterre free entry, Prince's Garden may have separate access points (verify locally); Casa del Labrador visits by guided tour only (book ahead at Patrimonio Nacional website), tours primarily in Spanish, seasonal hours vary; allow 1-2 hours for gardens; Casa del Labrador allow additional 45-60 minutes; gardens particularly beautiful April-June; combine with palace and Island Garden for complete experience.
The historic town center of Aranjuez was planned in the 18th century along with the palace and gardens. It is a good example of Enlightenment urban design, where the layout of homes and streets matches the patterns of the gardens. Tree-lined streets and squares, arranged in a neat grid inspired by French planning, help connect the town with its landscape. This is one reason Aranjuez is a UNESCO site. Around Plaza de San Antonio, you can find traditional Spanish buildings, local shops, cafés, and restaurants that serve the town’s famous strawberries and asparagus.
The Church of San Antonio and the Mercado de Abastos market hall are important local landmarks where people go about their daily lives in historic surroundings. Cobblestone streets invite you to wander through traditional plazas, old houses, and charming corners that show Aranjuez’s character beyond the palace area.
Aranjuez is a town where people live and also a popular place for visitors. It combines everyday Spanish life with historic charm. Restaurants on Calle de la Reina and near Plaza de San Antonio serve local favorites like strawberries with cream, grilled asparagus, and other seasonal dishes that have made the town famous.
Practical Info: Historic centre within walking distance of palace; free pedestrian access anytime; allow 1-2 hours for exploration; Plaza de San Antonio is the central reference point; best experienced at leisurely pace with stops at cafés and market; morning offers market activity and fresh produce; combine with palace visit for full-day Aranjuez experience.
Aranjuez is famous worldwide for its strawberries (fresas de Aranjuez) and green asparagus (espárragos trigueros), which are grown using irrigation systems developed by Spanish royalty centuries ago. The strawberries are very sweet because of the good soil and water in the Tagus valley, and are usually served fresh with cream or in desserts. In spring, wild green asparagus is in season and is often grilled, served with eggs and ham, or added to salads.
Restaurants near Plaza de San Antonio and Calle de la Reina use local, seasonal produce to create dishes that highlight Aranjuez’s ingredients. Casa José, a Michelin-starred restaurant, serves modern Spanish food with strawberries and asparagus in special recipes. El Rana Verde, by the river, offers classic Spanish meals with fresh fish and vegetables. If you want a more relaxed meal, Restaurante El Parterre serves seasonal dishes with friendly service.
Other local favorites are carillas de Aranjuez (a black-eyed pea stew with chorizo and vegetables), cocido madrileño (a hearty chickpea stew), trucha a la Aranjuez (Tagus River trout with asparagus and saffron), and perdiz estofada (stewed partridge). In the right season, many restaurants offer special tastings of strawberries and asparagus to celebrate Aranjuez’s farming traditions.
Practical Info: Restaurants concentrated around Plaza de San Antonio and Calle de la Reina; strawberry season: April-June; asparagus season: March-May; expect €15-25 per person at mid-range restaurants, €50+ at fine dining; reservations recommended on weekends and holidays; combine dining with a palace visit for a complete Aranjuez experience.
Discover the Aranjuez of Philip II by joining a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The tour focuses on the 16th century, when Philip II made Aranjuez a Royal Site. You’ll learn how the palace, gardens, and town are connected and how Aranjuez became a model for Spanish royal landscape design. The guide will explain the irrigation systems, botanical gardens, and cultural influences that shaped the area. You’ll also find out why UNESCO recognized Aranjuez and how it influenced landscape design in Europe and the Americas. Remember to check the meeting point, schedule, and available languages before booking.
Explore more tours in Aranjuez.
Getting there: Aranjuez is 48 km south of Madrid. You can take a RENFE Cercanías commuter train from Madrid Atocha to Aranjuez (Line C-3), which takes 45-50 minutes and costs €4-6. This direct connection makes Aranjuez an easy day trip from Madrid. The historic Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa) runs on weekends and holidays from April to October, leaving from Madrid's Railway Museum. It uses vintage 1960s wooden carriages and includes entertainment, a strawberry tasting, and a return ticket (book ahead, €32-36 for adults). It’s a nostalgic experience but has a limited schedule. You can also drive from Madrid via the A-4 highway (about 45 minutes), with parking available near the palace and town center. ALSA buses run from Madrid's Estación Sur and take about an hour (€5-8).
Getting around: The town center is small and easy to walk. The palace and main gardens are only a 10-15 minute walk from the train station. The Prince’s Garden is large, so plan extra time to explore or think about renting a bike. The flat terrain makes walking comfortable all year. Most visitors arrive by train and walk everywhere, so you won’t need a car unless you want to visit other places nearby.
Accommodation: Most people visit Aranjuez as a day trip from Madrid, but you can also stay overnight in mid-range hotels (€40-80 per night) or budget options (€35-50 per night). Staying overnight lets you enjoy the town in the evening and visit the palace early before it gets crowded. For better prices, book from Monday to Thursday, since weekends are more expensive. September is usually the cheapest month (about €63 per night), but prices can go over €90 per night if demand is high.
Visit duration: In half a day, you can see the palace interior and the main gardens (Island and Parterre). If you have a full day, you can also explore the Prince’s Garden, Casa del Labrador, the town center, and enjoy a relaxed lunch with local strawberries and asparagus. Aranjuez is a great day trip from Madrid, and you can combine it with Toledo (55 km away) for a longer trip to see more UNESCO sites in the Madrid region.
Aranjuez has a continental Mediterranean climate with hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant spring and autumn weather. Spring (April-June) is the best time to visit, with ideal temperatures (18-25°C), blooming gardens, and strawberry and asparagus season. Summer (July-August) is very hot (28-40°C) with little rain and fewer visitors. The gardens offer shade, but midday can be uncomfortable, so visit early or late in the day. Autumn (September-October) has pleasant temperatures (20-28°C, cooling to 15-22°C in October), a second asparagus season, and great light for photos. Winter (November-March) is cold (8-15°C) with occasional frost and fewer tourists. The palace is open, but the gardens are less impressive, so it’s a good time to focus on indoor visits.
Best visiting periods: mid-April to early July for gardens in bloom, ideal weather, and the local produce season; September-early October for pleasant temperatures and autumn colors; avoid July-August heat unless visiting gardens early in the morning.
The Tagus River valley at Aranjuez has attracted human settlement since ancient times due to abundant water and fertile soil. The Catholic Monarchs acquired the territory in the 15th century, and Philip II established Aranjuez as a Real Sitio (Royal Site) in the 16th century, beginning the transformation of the estate into a designed cultural landscape. Philip II commissioned the initial construction of the palace and the development of the gardens, applying Renaissance humanist principles to landscape design and establishing the hydraulic systems that enabled botanical experimentation.
The Bourbon monarchs—particularly Ferdinand VI and Charles III in the 18th century—undertook major expansions creating the current Royal Palace, French Baroque Parterre Garden, and extensive ornamental landscapes. Aranjuez became the spring residence of the entire Spanish court, which annually relocated there, bringing diplomatic activity, cultural life, and economic prosperity. The 18th-century planned town developed alongside palace expansion, creating an integrated urban-landscape environment reflecting Enlightenment ideals of harmony between human settlement and nature.
The 19th century saw continued royal patronage under Isabella II, who commissioned additional garden areas and the railway connection to Madrid (1851)—Spain's second railway line, demonstrating Aranjuez's importance. The Strawberry Train, carrying Madrid visitors to taste Aranjuez's famous produce, became a cultural institution.
Following the monarchy's fall in the early 20th century, Aranjuez opened to public enjoyment while maintaining its agricultural character and historic gardens. UNESCO designated Aranjuez a World Heritage Cultural Landscape in 2001, recognizing it as an exceptional example of a designed landscape that demonstrates complex relationships between nature and human activity, and acknowledging three centuries of royal landscape development reflecting evolving concepts from humanism and Baroque aesthetics to Enlightenment scientific practice.
What is Aranjuez famous for?
UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape, Royal Palace and historic gardens (Island, Parterre, Prince's), strawberries and asparagus, 18th-century planned town, hydraulic irrigation systems, botanical innovation during the Enlightenment, Strawberry Train from Madrid.
How far is Aranjuez from Madrid?
48 kilometers south; 45-50 minutes by commuter train (RENFE Cercanías Line C-3 from Atocha), 45 minutes by car via A-4 autopista; perfect Madrid day-trip destination.
What are the Royal Palace opening hours and price?
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (October-March), 10am-7pm (April-September), closed Mondays; entry €9 standard, €4 concession, children under 5 free; free entry Wednesday and Sunday 3pm-7pm for EU and Latin American citizens.
When is the best time to visit?
April-June for blooming gardens, ideal weather (18-25°C), and strawberry/asparagus season; September-October for pleasant autumn temperatures and fewer crowds; avoid July-August heat (28-40°C).
What are Aranjuez's famous foods?
Strawberries (fresas de Aranjuez) are incredibly sweet, served with cream or in desserts; wild green asparagus (espárragos trigueros) grilled or in salads; both cultivated using historic irrigation systems; best April-June.
Can you visit the gardens for free?
Yes, Island Garden and some garden areas have free entry; Prince's Garden and Casa del Labrador may require tickets or guided tours; verify current access policies at Patrimonio Nacional.
What is the Strawberry Train?
Historic vintage train from Madrid's Railway Museum to Aranjuez using 1960s wooden carriages, operating weekends and holidays April-October, includes entertainment and strawberry tasting; nostalgic recreation of 19th-century journeys when Madrid residents traveled to taste Aranjuez's famous produce.
How long do you need in Aranjuez?
A half-day covers the palace and main gardens; a full day allows thorough exploration, including Casa del Labrador, Prince's Garden, the town centre, and a leisurely lunch; most visitors day-trip from Madrid.
Why is Aranjuez a UNESCO World Heritage?
Recognized in 2001 as a Cultural Landscape demonstrating exceptional complex relationships between nature and human activity, 300 years of royal landscape development, influence on European and American landscape design, integration of hydraulic systems with ornamental gardens, and Enlightenment-era botanical innovation.
What is Casa del Labrador?
Neoclassical "Farmer's House" in Prince's Garden, built in the late 18th century for Charles IV; despite its modest name, it features extraordinarily refined decoration, silk-lined walls, exceptional furniture, and decorative arts; visits by guided tour only.
Quick Takeaway
Must-see: Royal Palace of Aranjuez, Island Garden (Jardín de la Isla), Parterre Garden, Prince's Garden, Casa del Labrador, historic town centre, Plaza de San Antonio, tree-lined streets, Tagus River walks, Mercado de Abastos
Daily budget: €25–45 (excluding accommodation)
Best time: April–June for blooming gardens and strawberry season; September–October for pleasant weather and asparagus; avoid July-August heat (35-40°C); spring offers ideal temperatures (18-25°C)
Famous for: UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape, Royal Palace and gardens (French Baroque and English styles), strawberries and asparagus, hydraulic irrigation systems, botanical innovation during the Enlightenment, 18th-century planned town, Strawberry Train from Madrid
Royal Palace of Aranjuez
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez served as the Spanish Crown's spring residence from the 16th to the 19th centuries, with the current structure primarily dating to the 18th century under Ferdinand VI and Charles III. Philip II established Aranjuez as a Real Sitio (Royal Site) in the 16th century, but the present palace reflects mainly 18th-century expansion when Bourbon monarchs transformed it into one of Europe's most refined royal residences. The palace architecture blends Baroque and neoclassical styles with a distinctive red-brick and white-stone façade characteristic of Habsburg-Bourbon royal buildings.
Interior highlights include the exceptional Porcelain Room, entirely lined with porcelain panels manufactured in Madrid's Royal Factory, depicting Chinese-inspired scenes and rococo motifs. The Arab Room showcases stunning Moorish Revival decoration with intricate plasterwork and geometric tile patterns inspired by the Alhambra. The Smoking Room features rich 19th-century decoration, while the Throne Room preserves ceremonial furnishings and royal portraits. The palace houses collections of tapestries, period furniture, decorative arts, and paintings documenting Spanish royal taste across three centuries.
Guided tours (approximately 1 hour) explain the palace's historical significance, architectural evolution, and the seasonal court life that animated Aranjuez each spring when the royal family, courtiers, and diplomatic corps relocated from Madrid.
Practical Info: Royal Palace in centre of Aranjuez; open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (October-March), 10am-7pm (April-September), closed Mondays; access until one hour before closing; entry €9 standard, €4 concession, children under 5 free; free entry Wednesday and Sunday 3pm-7pm for EU and Latin American citizens; guided tours Tuesday-Friday 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 3:15pm; allow 1.5-2 hours including gardens; essential Aranjuez visit.
Island Garden (Jardín de la Isla)
The Island Garden was created in the 16th century on an island formed by the Tagus River. It is the oldest ornamental garden in Aranjuez and shows Renaissance ideas about landscape design. The garden mixes formal geometric paths with shady wooded areas, making it a cool place where Spanish royalty escaped the summer heat. Fountains and waterfalls use river water that flows through detailed irrigation systems, and sculptures of mythological creatures decorate the water features.
Queen Isabel II especially enjoyed walking in this garden, surrounded by fruit orchards, fragrant plants, and riverside paths. Some of the ancient trees here are centuries old and create a unique atmosphere with their mature canopy. The garden’s design blends 16th-century Italian style with irrigation techniques passed down from Moorish traditions in the Tagus valley.
You can visit the Island Garden for free and take your time exploring the shaded paths, finding hidden fountains, and enjoying the garden just as Spanish royalty did. It feels like a natural part of the palace experience.
Practical Info: Island Garden adjacent to the Royal Palace; free entry; open daily during daylight hours; allow 30-45 minutes; combine with Parterre Garden and a palace visit; bring comfortable walking shoes; particularly pleasant April-June, when the gardens bloom; essential for understanding Aranjuez's cultural landscape.
Parterre Garden & Prince's Garden
The Parterre Garden was built in the 18th century in the French Baroque style. It has neat geometric designs, colorful flower beds, marble vases, trimmed hedges, and gravel paths inspired by Versailles. This garden reflects the French influence during the Bourbon monarchy, when Philip V and later kings brought French garden styles to Spain. Its formal layout and decorative flowers are very different from the more natural look of the Island Garden.
The Prince’s Garden is the largest historic garden in Aranjuez. It was designed in the late 18th century in the English landscape style, with winding paths, natural plantings, open meadows, and pavilions that offer great views. This garden shows the Enlightenment’s preference for more natural-looking landscapes, inspired by English gardens and romantic ideas. In the past, it was used for hunting and private garden parties in its elegant pavilions.
The Casa del Labrador, or Farmer's House, is in the Prince's Garden and was built for Charles IV in the late 18th century. Although its name sounds simple, the building is beautifully decorated with silk-lined walls, marble floors, fine furniture, and decorative arts that show the best of late 18th-century Spanish craftsmanship.
Practical Info: Parterre and Prince's Gardens accessible from palace; Parterre free entry, Prince's Garden may have separate access points (verify locally); Casa del Labrador visits by guided tour only (book ahead at Patrimonio Nacional website), tours primarily in Spanish, seasonal hours vary; allow 1-2 hours for gardens; Casa del Labrador allow additional 45-60 minutes; gardens particularly beautiful April-June; combine with palace and Island Garden for complete experience.
Historic Town Centre
The historic town center of Aranjuez was planned in the 18th century along with the palace and gardens. It is a good example of Enlightenment urban design, where the layout of homes and streets matches the patterns of the gardens. Tree-lined streets and squares, arranged in a neat grid inspired by French planning, help connect the town with its landscape. This is one reason Aranjuez is a UNESCO site. Around Plaza de San Antonio, you can find traditional Spanish buildings, local shops, cafés, and restaurants that serve the town’s famous strawberries and asparagus.
The Church of San Antonio and the Mercado de Abastos market hall are important local landmarks where people go about their daily lives in historic surroundings. Cobblestone streets invite you to wander through traditional plazas, old houses, and charming corners that show Aranjuez’s character beyond the palace area.
Aranjuez is a town where people live and also a popular place for visitors. It combines everyday Spanish life with historic charm. Restaurants on Calle de la Reina and near Plaza de San Antonio serve local favorites like strawberries with cream, grilled asparagus, and other seasonal dishes that have made the town famous.
Practical Info: Historic centre within walking distance of palace; free pedestrian access anytime; allow 1-2 hours for exploration; Plaza de San Antonio is the central reference point; best experienced at leisurely pace with stops at cafés and market; morning offers market activity and fresh produce; combine with palace visit for full-day Aranjuez experience.
Aranjuez Gastronomy: Strawberries & Asparagus
Aranjuez is famous worldwide for its strawberries (fresas de Aranjuez) and green asparagus (espárragos trigueros), which are grown using irrigation systems developed by Spanish royalty centuries ago. The strawberries are very sweet because of the good soil and water in the Tagus valley, and are usually served fresh with cream or in desserts. In spring, wild green asparagus is in season and is often grilled, served with eggs and ham, or added to salads.
Restaurants near Plaza de San Antonio and Calle de la Reina use local, seasonal produce to create dishes that highlight Aranjuez’s ingredients. Casa José, a Michelin-starred restaurant, serves modern Spanish food with strawberries and asparagus in special recipes. El Rana Verde, by the river, offers classic Spanish meals with fresh fish and vegetables. If you want a more relaxed meal, Restaurante El Parterre serves seasonal dishes with friendly service.
Other local favorites are carillas de Aranjuez (a black-eyed pea stew with chorizo and vegetables), cocido madrileño (a hearty chickpea stew), trucha a la Aranjuez (Tagus River trout with asparagus and saffron), and perdiz estofada (stewed partridge). In the right season, many restaurants offer special tastings of strawberries and asparagus to celebrate Aranjuez’s farming traditions.
Practical Info: Restaurants concentrated around Plaza de San Antonio and Calle de la Reina; strawberry season: April-June; asparagus season: March-May; expect €15-25 per person at mid-range restaurants, €50+ at fine dining; reservations recommended on weekends and holidays; combine dining with a palace visit for a complete Aranjuez experience.
Free Walking Tours
Discover the Aranjuez of Philip II by joining a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage landscape. The tour focuses on the 16th century, when Philip II made Aranjuez a Royal Site. You’ll learn how the palace, gardens, and town are connected and how Aranjuez became a model for Spanish royal landscape design. The guide will explain the irrigation systems, botanical gardens, and cultural influences that shaped the area. You’ll also find out why UNESCO recognized Aranjuez and how it influenced landscape design in Europe and the Americas. Remember to check the meeting point, schedule, and available languages before booking.
Explore more tours in Aranjuez.
Practical Tips
Getting there: Aranjuez is 48 km south of Madrid. You can take a RENFE Cercanías commuter train from Madrid Atocha to Aranjuez (Line C-3), which takes 45-50 minutes and costs €4-6. This direct connection makes Aranjuez an easy day trip from Madrid. The historic Strawberry Train (Tren de la Fresa) runs on weekends and holidays from April to October, leaving from Madrid's Railway Museum. It uses vintage 1960s wooden carriages and includes entertainment, a strawberry tasting, and a return ticket (book ahead, €32-36 for adults). It’s a nostalgic experience but has a limited schedule. You can also drive from Madrid via the A-4 highway (about 45 minutes), with parking available near the palace and town center. ALSA buses run from Madrid's Estación Sur and take about an hour (€5-8).
Getting around: The town center is small and easy to walk. The palace and main gardens are only a 10-15 minute walk from the train station. The Prince’s Garden is large, so plan extra time to explore or think about renting a bike. The flat terrain makes walking comfortable all year. Most visitors arrive by train and walk everywhere, so you won’t need a car unless you want to visit other places nearby.
Accommodation: Most people visit Aranjuez as a day trip from Madrid, but you can also stay overnight in mid-range hotels (€40-80 per night) or budget options (€35-50 per night). Staying overnight lets you enjoy the town in the evening and visit the palace early before it gets crowded. For better prices, book from Monday to Thursday, since weekends are more expensive. September is usually the cheapest month (about €63 per night), but prices can go over €90 per night if demand is high.
Visit duration: In half a day, you can see the palace interior and the main gardens (Island and Parterre). If you have a full day, you can also explore the Prince’s Garden, Casa del Labrador, the town center, and enjoy a relaxed lunch with local strawberries and asparagus. Aranjuez is a great day trip from Madrid, and you can combine it with Toledo (55 km away) for a longer trip to see more UNESCO sites in the Madrid region.
Weather in Aranjuez
Aranjuez has a continental Mediterranean climate with hot summers, cold winters, and pleasant spring and autumn weather. Spring (April-June) is the best time to visit, with ideal temperatures (18-25°C), blooming gardens, and strawberry and asparagus season. Summer (July-August) is very hot (28-40°C) with little rain and fewer visitors. The gardens offer shade, but midday can be uncomfortable, so visit early or late in the day. Autumn (September-October) has pleasant temperatures (20-28°C, cooling to 15-22°C in October), a second asparagus season, and great light for photos. Winter (November-March) is cold (8-15°C) with occasional frost and fewer tourists. The palace is open, but the gardens are less impressive, so it’s a good time to focus on indoor visits.
Best visiting periods: mid-April to early July for gardens in bloom, ideal weather, and the local produce season; September-early October for pleasant temperatures and autumn colors; avoid July-August heat unless visiting gardens early in the morning.
Short History
The Tagus River valley at Aranjuez has attracted human settlement since ancient times due to abundant water and fertile soil. The Catholic Monarchs acquired the territory in the 15th century, and Philip II established Aranjuez as a Real Sitio (Royal Site) in the 16th century, beginning the transformation of the estate into a designed cultural landscape. Philip II commissioned the initial construction of the palace and the development of the gardens, applying Renaissance humanist principles to landscape design and establishing the hydraulic systems that enabled botanical experimentation.
The Bourbon monarchs—particularly Ferdinand VI and Charles III in the 18th century—undertook major expansions creating the current Royal Palace, French Baroque Parterre Garden, and extensive ornamental landscapes. Aranjuez became the spring residence of the entire Spanish court, which annually relocated there, bringing diplomatic activity, cultural life, and economic prosperity. The 18th-century planned town developed alongside palace expansion, creating an integrated urban-landscape environment reflecting Enlightenment ideals of harmony between human settlement and nature.
The 19th century saw continued royal patronage under Isabella II, who commissioned additional garden areas and the railway connection to Madrid (1851)—Spain's second railway line, demonstrating Aranjuez's importance. The Strawberry Train, carrying Madrid visitors to taste Aranjuez's famous produce, became a cultural institution.
Following the monarchy's fall in the early 20th century, Aranjuez opened to public enjoyment while maintaining its agricultural character and historic gardens. UNESCO designated Aranjuez a World Heritage Cultural Landscape in 2001, recognizing it as an exceptional example of a designed landscape that demonstrates complex relationships between nature and human activity, and acknowledging three centuries of royal landscape development reflecting evolving concepts from humanism and Baroque aesthetics to Enlightenment scientific practice.
FAQ about Aranjuez
What is Aranjuez famous for?
UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape, Royal Palace and historic gardens (Island, Parterre, Prince's), strawberries and asparagus, 18th-century planned town, hydraulic irrigation systems, botanical innovation during the Enlightenment, Strawberry Train from Madrid.
How far is Aranjuez from Madrid?
48 kilometers south; 45-50 minutes by commuter train (RENFE Cercanías Line C-3 from Atocha), 45 minutes by car via A-4 autopista; perfect Madrid day-trip destination.
What are the Royal Palace opening hours and price?
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm (October-March), 10am-7pm (April-September), closed Mondays; entry €9 standard, €4 concession, children under 5 free; free entry Wednesday and Sunday 3pm-7pm for EU and Latin American citizens.
When is the best time to visit?
April-June for blooming gardens, ideal weather (18-25°C), and strawberry/asparagus season; September-October for pleasant autumn temperatures and fewer crowds; avoid July-August heat (28-40°C).
What are Aranjuez's famous foods?
Strawberries (fresas de Aranjuez) are incredibly sweet, served with cream or in desserts; wild green asparagus (espárragos trigueros) grilled or in salads; both cultivated using historic irrigation systems; best April-June.
Can you visit the gardens for free?
Yes, Island Garden and some garden areas have free entry; Prince's Garden and Casa del Labrador may require tickets or guided tours; verify current access policies at Patrimonio Nacional.
What is the Strawberry Train?
Historic vintage train from Madrid's Railway Museum to Aranjuez using 1960s wooden carriages, operating weekends and holidays April-October, includes entertainment and strawberry tasting; nostalgic recreation of 19th-century journeys when Madrid residents traveled to taste Aranjuez's famous produce.
How long do you need in Aranjuez?
A half-day covers the palace and main gardens; a full day allows thorough exploration, including Casa del Labrador, Prince's Garden, the town centre, and a leisurely lunch; most visitors day-trip from Madrid.
Why is Aranjuez a UNESCO World Heritage?
Recognized in 2001 as a Cultural Landscape demonstrating exceptional complex relationships between nature and human activity, 300 years of royal landscape development, influence on European and American landscape design, integration of hydraulic systems with ornamental gardens, and Enlightenment-era botanical innovation.
What is Casa del Labrador?
Neoclassical "Farmer's House" in Prince's Garden, built in the late 18th century for Charles IV; despite its modest name, it features extraordinarily refined decoration, silk-lined walls, exceptional furniture, and decorative arts; visits by guided tour only.
