Madrid is home to all sorts of green spaces, ranging from beautifully trimmed gardens to extensive parks. In fact, 33 square kilometers of Madrid are home to an astounding number of parks and gardens, and we want to help you discover them! After all, in a city where life is experienced out and about in the streets, strolling through the Madrid gardens is the name of the game... and these lovely little green refuges are perfect for it!
Jardín Botánico
The Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid (Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid) is located right near the Retiro Park and Prado Museum. It was founded by king Fernando VI, though its present location was established by Carlos III in 1781, who wanted the city's botanical garden to be part of the avenue of scientific institutions - Natural Science Museum (now the Prado), Astronomical Observatory, etc. - he envisioned. Inside you'll find thousands of plants, flowers and trees throughout the garden's 8 hectares, which are organized into three large outdoor areas and two greenhouses.
Campo del Moro
See: Royal Palace Gardens
La Rosaleda
Part of Madrid's sprawling Parque del Oeste (Park of the West), La Rosaleda is a classical-style rose garden with specimens from around the world that was founded in the 1950's. This Madrid garden covers approximately 18,000 square meters and has enjoyed great popularity since its creation. La Rosaleda also hosts an annual rose competition that0s been held every year since the early 1990's; the Spanish Rose Association organizes a ballot and the people of Madrid vote for the most beautiful rose from nearly 70 varieties.
Retiro Park
Madrid's most popular park is the Retiro Park, which came into being in the early 17th century as the grounds of a since-destructed recreational royal palace for King Felipe IV. Only two of the original buildings remain standing: the Casón del Buen Retiro, which now holds works belonging to the Prado Museum, and the Salón de Reinos, where you can now find the Army Museum. The park was opened to the public in the 19th century and has since been a popular leisure area for both locals and visitors. There's an artificial lake where you can rent out a rowboat, plenty of grassy patches, monumental statues and fountains, all sorts of musicians and street performres and plenty of paths for walking and jogging.
Jardines de Sabatini
See: Royal Palace Gardens
Jardines de la Fuente del Berro
A small, shady 17th-century garden, which although located a little way south of the bullring and nearby the M30 motorway, is one of Madrid's undisclosed gems with a number of striking statues.