5 Parks You NEED to Visit in Madrid
Hey Au Pairs!
One of the perks of au pairing in Madrid is the amount of green spaces this capital city of Spain boasts. As mentioned in my previous post 5 Reasons You Should Au Pair in Madrid, this city sports 40 unique parks. Each with its own individual personality. During my time in Madrid I’ve been fortunate enough to visit quite a few and wanted so share 5 of my most favorite parks so you can check them out if you’re ever in Madrid!
In no specific order, here are 5 parks you need to visit in Madrid:
1.Parque de El Retiro
A classic and must see park in Madrid, El Retiro is one of the largest parks in center city Madrid. Like many of the parks in Madrid, El Retiro previously belonged to the Spanish monarchy before being made open to the public. This park features a lake where you can rent a boat and row around 45 minutes at 6 euros per boat. This park also contains a rose garden, Crystal Palace and a contemporary art house which displays different collections of modern art. El Retiro is very close to two of the greatest museums in Madrid, La Reina Sofia and El Prado, so why not take a stroll through El Retiro before or after a visit to either museum? This park is a favorite of mine, as it gives off romantic and dreamy vibes!
2.Campo del Moro
Campo del Moro is an English styled park that offers a unique and striking view of the Royal Palace as it’s on the other side of it. This park which used to be royal hunting grounds contains many distinct species of trees and plants making it especially lush and green. Another neat trait to this park are the peacocks that wander the grounds of this park, adding to the regalness of the location. Unlike many of the other parks of Madrid, this park is usually not very busy and offers a sweet escape from city life. If you’re into photography this a great place for photoshoots of scenic shots!
3.Parque El Capricho
Located in the outskirts of center city Madrid, El Capricho is one of the most beautiful historical and least known about parks in the city making it a hidden gem. This is the only park in Madrid sporting three distinct types of gardens; the Spanish Romantic style (the only Spanish Romantic garden style park in Madrid!), French style and Italian! In addition to the beauty this park possesses it also contains a civil war bunker, a charming pavilion, a lovely lake, many fountains, ponds and a palace. If you’re interested in learning more about the history behind this park you can take a guided tour for a small price.
4. Parque de Europa
Imagine a space where you can visit the Eiffel tower, London Bridge, Dutch Windmills, the Trevi fountain and many other famous European attractions all in one space? Well, in Madrid it’s possible only at Parque De Europa, located in the outskirts of the city! Although it is a bit of a trek from the center city it’s definitely a site you cannot miss while in Madrid! There are 17 replicated monuments to a much smaller scale spread over 223,000 acres of the park! In addition to the stellar monumental sites you can check out on the park grounds there is also a restaurant, picnic area, a boating lake, zip line, pony riding and many more fun activities for all ages! I’d definitely recommend visiting this park as a day trip with family and friends!
5.Parque Juan Carlos I
A modern and active park located in the outskirts of Madrid is Parque Juan Carlos I. This park is located alongside of a lake, where you can engage in waterside activities such as kayaking or canoeing. Don’t own a canoe or kayak? Don’t worry both can be rented onsite! You can also rent free bikes to ride through the park through their courtesy bikeshare program. There is even an olive grove in this park and a greenhouse which contains a variety of different plants from all over the world! Additionally, this park features a zip line and mini tourist train that takes you through the park that you an hop on if you’re feeling touristy!
Have you visited any of these parks while in Madrid? Let me know in the comments down below!