Declared World Heritage by UNESCO since 2001, Aranjuez is a municipality where history, culture and nature merge to create a unique enclave. Miguel Gómez, its mayor, describes it like this: “It is a city that was designed to enjoy, to disconnect and connect with the beautiful.”
Known for the majestic Royal Palace, offers a diversity of ways to be explored. If you have ever wondered how you could get to know it in a different way, we invite you to do so by water, land and air. “In Aranjuez You can do a large number of activities: kayaking, horseback riding, cycling or going up in a balloon to enjoy a panoramic view from the air,” Gómez explains.
THE HEART OF ARANJUEZ
Before diving into these new ways of exploring the municipality, we cannot fail to mention its most iconic emblem: the Royal Palace. Built during the reign of Philip II and expanded by the Bourbons, this palace stands out for its elegant rooms, such as the Throne Room and the Porcelain Cabinet.
Its interior offers a journey through the history of the Spanish monarchy, while the Prince’s Gardens, with more than 111 hectares, transport us to another era. “We are a city without which the history of our country would not be understood and we use the milestones that mark it, turning them into unique tourist products,” says the mayor.
If we talk about outdoor spaces, The Gardens of the Island, the Parterre and Isabel II are dream places. In them we can find monumental fountains such as that of Hercules and Antaeus or that of Ceres. The Museum of Royal Feluccas is also worth a visit, which houses the boats that the monarchs used to navigate the river.
To protect this entire Cultural Landscape, Gómez explains that Aranjuez has a Master Plan for the Protection, Use and Management of green areas, parks, gardens and trees with the objective of establishing technical criteria for planning, design and execution.
Besides, Last year it obtained the international recognition ‘Tree City of the World’, an award to cities and towns that ensure that their forests and urban trees are properly maintained.
The city from the water
He Tagus River is a crucial protagonist in the history of Aranjuez. For centuries, it has witnessed palace life and the daily activities of the city. Today, it continues to be an important route for those seeking to discover Aranjuez from another perspective.
Aranjuez is a municipality where history, culture and nature merge to create a unique enclave
A surprising option for exploring the municipality is by canoe or kayak, what allows explore its waters while enjoying the landscape of the gardens and the old buildings that line the river.
If you are looking for a quieter experience, you can choose to embark on a tourist boat which offers a guided river trip, in which you will be provided with historical and cultural information. This walk is ideal for those who want to immerse themselves in nature and at the same time enjoy unique views of the Royal Palace and its surroundings.
aerial view
If you have ever dreamed of seeing Aranjuez from above, You can’t miss the experience of flying in a hot air balloon. This adventure allows you to see the city from a completely new perspective. In fact, the first balloon flight in Spain and the second in the world were in Aranjuez.
Every year, This municipality hosts the Balloon Festivalan event that brings together pilots from all over Spain and turns the city’s sky into a spectacle of color. During this celebration, both locals and visitors can enjoy these flights, making this experience unforgettable.
The Balloon rides are available all year round, so it is not necessary to wait for the festival to live this experience. Watching the sunrise over the gardens, the river and the historic center from the sky is a unique opportunity to connect with the rich heritage of the municipality.
History and nature step by step
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, Aranjuez offers you a wide variety of options to explore its cultural and natural wealth. “Our environment is ideal to enjoy walking or riding a bike, also in family. We have numerous routes for mountain bike lovers and we are part of the CiclaMadrid network,” says the mayor.
Among the most popular are the guided tours that allow you to know in depth the most iconic corners of the city. “The Plaza de San Antonio or Mariblanca is one of the emblematic places of the city. It is a porticoed plaza from the 18th century, a large space that unites the palatial area and the historic center,” highlights Gómez.
For their part, local guides will take you through the gardens, the Royal Palace or the Royal House of Labrador, among other historical monuments, providing fascinating context on the role this city played in the history of Spain.
From the city council, they recommend another exceptional place: the Sea of Ontígola, a lake formed by a 16th century dam, which is currently a refuge for numerous birds. It is located within the Southeast Regional Park and was declared a Natural Reserve in 1994. “You can take an easy and very pleasant walk to a high observatory from which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view,” says the mayor.
For lovers of animals and nature, a horse ride along the banks of the Tagus or along the paths that surround the gardens is a perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. Additionally, for the little ones, there is the option of going up the popular ‘Chiquitrén’, which tours the main tourist spots of the city in a fun and educational way.
Garden flavors
You cannot talk about Aranjuez without mentioning its rich gastronomy. The town is famous for the products of its garden, that are renowned throughout Spain.
“Typical are pheasant, frog legs and any dish made with seasonal products from historic orchards: beans, asparagus, artichokes, peas… For dessert, if it is the season, strawberry or strawberry and in pastries, the Goyaesque cake,” Gómez describes.
Aranjuez has been recognized as World Heritage by UNESCO since 2001.
High quality restaurants such as Casa Pablo, Casa José, Aguatinta, Carême, Casa Delapio or A Terra Delapio They offer exquisite dishes made with these local products, which turns any meal into a unique gastronomic experience.
Wine tourism
For wine lovers, the municipality also offers the opportunity to enjoy wine tourism experiences. The Wineries Royal Farmhouse and The Regajal They are two of the main ones in the region.
In them, you will not only have the opportunity to learn about the winemaking process, but also to taste local wines in an incomparable historical and natural environment. This experience will allow you to get to know Aranjuez from a sensory and cultural perspective.
“You leave all this good product in the hands of the magnificent professionals we have in the restoration of Aranjuez, you accompany it with fabulous wines from our wineries and you have a round gastronomic plan”, summarizes the mayor.
How to get to Aranjuez?
Aranjuez is located just 40 minutes from the center from Madrid, making it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. You can easily get there nearby from the capital or by car.
For a more special experience, you can also opt for the famous Strawberry Traina tourist train that connects Madrid with Aranjuez and that recalls the historical routes that were carried out in the 19th century. Traveling on this train is a unique way to start your adventure in Aranjuez, while enjoying the history and landscape from the first moment.
“We are committed to sustainable development oriented towards balanced tourism, which improves the quality of life of citizens, from the awareness of cultural and natural heritage as a source of wealth. I encourage you to give yourself unforgettable moments, I invite you to come to Aranjuez”, Gomez sentence.
More information at Tourism Madrid.
Alayans Studio – Reportage: Patricia Diaz – Design: Beatriz Areste and Pablo Calahorra Subías – Web layout: Javier Asuar
