Looking for the best parks in Madrid? There is no doubt Madrid is a vibrant city, but it is actually home to a wide variety of parks and gardens dotted all over the city.
No matter if you are a local or is not your first time in Spain. I am sure that my list of the best 10 parks in Madrid will help you to enjoy Madrid to the fullest.
And if you know other beautiful green spaces in Madrid help the community by sharing them with us in the comments at the end of the article.
How to Pick the Best Parks in Madrid
The best parks in Madrid offer plenty of space and fresh air away from the stresses of the city. They are the perfect place for soaking up the sun, enjoying a family picnic, walking your dog, taking a stroll, and many other outdoor activities.
Due to the excellent climate of Madrid, these parks are a must for locals and visitors alike, especially during summertime when the temperatures can be quite high.
Some of these leisure and recreational venues are points of great historical interest too. They will help you to better understand the rich history of the capital of Spain.
But there are numerous parks in Madrid, not sure where to start? These are my 10 favorite parks in Madrid.
The 10 Best Parks in Madrid
Picking which of the best parks in Madrid to visit can be a difficult task. For your convenience, I have chosen the best 10 parks and gardens in Madrid. Be sure to tick all of them!
At the end of this post, I have included a map with the locations of the best parks in Madrid. This way you can easily include them in the planning of your trip to Spain.
El Retiro
| Address | Plaza de la Independencia 7 |
| Metro | Estación del Arte (L1), Retiro (L2), Ibiza (L9) |
Covering over 118 hectares and comprising more than 17,000 trees, El Retiro is the most famous park in Madrid and one of the best outdoor attractions in the city.
The park has gradually become the heart and lungs of the city due to its convenient location in the city center, next to the Puerta de Alcalá and Paseo del Prado.
This wonderful green space is a popular spot among locals, to work out or to take a stroll and slow down after a busy day.
It is especially active and colorful during the weekends and bank holidays when families with children rent rowboats in the large artificial pond or enjoy a puppet show.
Several emblematic buildings remain in the park such as the Velázquez Palace and the astonishing Crystal Palace. Both of them are currently used as temporary exhibition halls by the Reina Sofía Museum.
El Retiro Park is home to numerous statues, fountains, and commemorative monuments that convert the Park into an open-air museum. The impressive Monument to Alfonso XII next to the pond, the Artichoke Fountain, and the Fallen Angel, are a must-see when you visit this popular park.
The Rosaleda rose garden and the Parterre Francés, which holds a nearly 400 years old cypress, Madrid’s oldest tree.
El Retiro Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with Paseo del Prado, in 2021.
Why is there a goblin in El Retiro?
According to legend, King Felipe V was stunned by the plants, as they seemed to grow from absolutely nothing. And the flowers moved from place to place every day so that the walk of the monarch would always be different.
The only explanation found was that there was a goblin living in the park! Later, when the park opened its doors to the public, many couples in love came to El Retiro searching for the goblin.
You can imagine that there is no evidence that anyone has ever found this curious character, although in 1985 a small statue was erected in the park.
Campo del Moro
| Address | Paseo de la Virgen del Puerto 1 |
| Metro | Ópera (L2, L5, R), Príncipe Pío (L6, L10, R) |
The Campo del Moro Gardens are one of the best outdoor spaces and parks in Madrid. It covers 20 hectares and its privileged location offers a great view of the Royal Palace.
Its name (Moor´s field) refers to a historic episode that occurred in 1109 when Muslim troops camped in this area to try to reconquer Madrid from the Christians.
Campo del Moro is a peaceful spot where locals and tourists can relax and stroll along its inviting paths.
Two Neoclassical fountains were also installed, the Fountain of the Tritons and the Seashells, taken from the Royal Palaces at Aranjuez and Boadilla, respectively.
Campo del Moro gardens are among the best parks in Madrid, and a visit is worthwhile. In 1931, it was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument.
Sabatini Gardens
| Address | Calle de Bailén 2 |
| Metro | Ópera (L2, L5, R), Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10) |
The Sabatini Gardens may not be Madrid´s largest park but it is certainly popular for its outstanding views.
These neo-classical-styled gardens are located next to Madrid´s Royal Palace. They were built in the 1930s after the royal stables were demolished during the Second Republic of Spain.
Visitors will find a large pond in the center of the gardens surrounded by fountains, trees, and the statues of some of the Spanish kings, that were originally planned to decorate the roof of the palace.
The Sabatini Gardens are a popular spot where locals and tourists, especially at dusk when they meet to watch the spectacular sunset from the perspective of the Casa de Campo.
Madrid Río
| Address | 7 kilometers along the Manzanares River |
| Metro | Legazpi (L3, L6), Marqués de Vadillo (L5), Pirámides (L5), Príncipe Pío (L6, L10, R) |
Madrid Río is one of the best Madrid´s urban parks and home to plenty of facilities for family recreation. Environment, leisure, and sport are the key aspects of the Madrid Río project.
Therefore, you will not find just accessible green zones and open spaces for strolling and leisure activities. There are numerous sports facilities (football, paddle, tennis, rock climbing, skatepark,…) playgrounds, bike lanes, restaurants, and cafes.
It was built along an urban stretch of the Manzanares River with the main purpose of recovering the banks of the river for the use and entertainment of the citizens.
Now Madrid is greener than ever! Although it was an artificial project, nature was a priority, and more than 35,000 native trees, 2,000 small trees, and around 400,000 shrubs were planted.
The park also uses recycled water from the city’s treatment plants and the drainage systems of the metro lines.
In case you travel to Madrid with children, Madrid Río provides the perfect recipe for a good time with family.
There are plenty of facilities for family recreation including numerous playgrounds made from sustainable materials and with different characteristics according to age. Madrid Río beach and jets of water are quite fun too, especially in summer.
Madrid Río can be considered one of the best parks in Madrid due to the numerous and impressive bridges such as Toledo, Arganzuela, or the twin bridges.
The Segovia Bridge is awesome too and offers astonishing views of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.
The park houses additional viewpoints like the Huerta de la Partida. It offers a magnificent perspective of the historic skyline of Madrid and some of the best Madrid landmarks such as the Royal Palace or the Almudena Cathedral.
Madrid Río is also a place to enjoy the cultural activities held at Matadero, Madrid’s old slaughterhouse renovated to house a remarkable space devoted to culture.
El Capricho
| Address | Paseo de la Alameda de Osuna 25 |
| Metro | El Capricho (L5) |
El Capricho is one of the most beautiful and historical parks in Madrid. It is a hidden gem of the city, as many locals are unaware of this spectacular garden.
The park was built in the 18th century by the Duke and Duchess of Osuna. It was frequented then by artists and thinkers like painter Francisco de Goya and writer Leandro Fernández de Moratín.
El Capricho is not just an excellent place to breathe fresh air. It houses a maze, a small lake, and several remarkable sculptures and constructions.
The monument to Bacchus is astounding, with 12 ionic columns surrounding a marble sculpture of Bacchus.
A bunker from the Spanish Civil War can be found in the park. It served as the headquarters of the Republican Army and was able to protect soldiers from bombs.
The bunker was sited here because it was far away from the frontline, had excellent communication infrastructures, and was well hidden by trees and bushes.
El Capricho is one of my favorite urban parks in Madrid and the Metro trip to the suburbs is worth it. Just be aware that it is only open to the public at weekends.
Quinta de la Fuente del Berro
| Address | Calle de Enrique D’almonte 1 |
| Metro | O’Donnell (L6) |
The Quinta de la Fuente del Berro may not be Madrid´s most popular park. But if you’re looking for the best parks in Madrid, this green space deserves a spot at the top of your list.
This park was once known as Quinta de Miraflores, and it has a wide variety of trees, peacocks, ponds, cascades, fountains, and historical buildings. It is especially beautiful in Spring and Autumn.
It is a haven of peace and tranquility in Madrid´s city center. On weekends it is mainly occupied by families with children and couples, while during the week it is mainly used by sports lovers.
In this park, tribute is paid to the poetry and you will find a monument to poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and a statue dedicated to Russian Alexander Pushkin.
Casa de Campo
| Address | Paseo de la Puerta del Ángel 1 |
| Metro | Batán (L10), Casa de Campo (L5, L10), Lago (L10) |
Casa de Campo is the largest park in Madrid, with an area of more than 1,700 hectares, five times bigger than New York´s Central Park. It was exclusively used by the Royal family until 1930 when the park was finally opened to the public.
Currently, it is a popular destination for families to have a picnic and spend time in the park, especially during the weekends.
The artificial lake is surrounded by restaurants and bars and Casa de Campo is also home to Madrid´s amusement park and the Zoo Aquarium.
There are plenty of trails crisscrossing the park for running, hiking, biking, or just de-stressing after a busy week at work. The park also has sports facilities where locals meet to play football (soccer) or tennis.
You could also come across some deers, rabbits, reptiles, and other types of wildlife that may be occasionally seen around the park. The natural vegetation of the park is mainly holm oak forest and Mediterranean bushes.
The Casa de Campo is linked by a funicular railway to the Parque del Oeste, the next spot in my list of the best parks in Madrid.
Oeste Park
| Address | Paseo de Moret 2 |
| Metro | Moncloa (L3, L6), Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10) |
With almost 100 hectares, this important green area is one of the best parks in Madrid. Oeste Park houses beautifully landscaped gardens, numerous trees and bushes, and lots of winding paths to walk or go biking.
The park is particularly renowned for being home to the Temple of Debod, a rose garden, and various bunkers from the Civil War.
The Temple of Debod is an ancient Egyptian temple from the second century B.C. Due to the construction of the Aswan Dam, it was in danger of disappearing, so it was then dismantled and transported to Madrid.
Enjoying the breathtaking sunset from the Temple of Debod should be a must on your trip to Madrid.
Another famous feature of the park is the Rose Garden, which enjoys a privileged location inside Oeste Park.
The garden offers around 20,000 specimens of 600 different varieties of modern rosebushes and it won in 2006 the “Garden Excellence Award” granted by the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Finally, you will also find In Oeste Park three bunkers from the Spanish Civil War, used on various occasions by the civil population.
Oeste Park is hands down one the most famous parks in Madrid.
Royal Botanical Garden
| Address | Plaza de Murillo 2 |
| Metro | Estación del Arte (L1) |
Located in the city center next to the Prado Museum, the primary mission of Madrid´s Royal Botanical Garden is to discover and study the diversity of plants and fungi and disseminate their conservation.
Visitors will enjoy the peace of being immersed in nature, surrounded by more than five thousand species of plants from different continents. Some of them date back more than two centuries.
There is also a remarkable greenhouse with three different climates.
- The tropical department displays plants such as orchids, heliconias, or bromeliads.
- The subtropical department contains a representation of the flora of the Canary Islands, as well as species from subtropical areas and edible plants.
- The desert department has plants from arid areas such as cactuses, euphorbias, or Lithops.
The Royal Botanical Garden is beautiful at Christmas, and the visit is one of the best things to do in Madrid in Winter.
This is the only place on my list that is not completely free, but trust me, it´s worth it. The general ticket price is 4 € and the entry is free every Tuesday after 17:00.
Berlín Park
| Address | Avenida de Ramón y Cajal 2 |
| Metro | Concha Espina (L9) |
Berlin Park is a relaxing place to stroll, read a book, or picnic. It is a tiny green area compared to some of the other best parks in Madrid, but it is quite a popular spot as it has been home to 3 pieces of the Berlin Wall since 1990.
The park has some ornamental fountains and several paths to walk or do some exercise. If you visit Madrid with children, there is a playground and basketball and soccer courts.
In addition to the Berlin Wall pieces, there is also a monument to the German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, whose bust is placed on top of a piano sculpture, and the sculpture of a bear representing the city of Berlin.
Bonus
Finally, if you have already visited all my previous suggestions and you want to discover more beautiful parks in Madrid, try these additional recommendations:
- Quinta de los Molinos Park is awesome too. It is a popular park in Madrid for its wonderful almond trees whose buds burst into beautiful blooms in February and March.
- Cerro del Tío Pío is popularly known as the park of the seven boobs due to the shape of its hills and offers breathtaking views of the city and an astounding sunset.
- Close to the Royal Palace, San Francisco el Grande, and Las Vistillas gardens are particularly renowned for their magnificent views and some of the best sunsets in Madrid.
Final Words + Map of the best parks in Madrid
I hope you liked this post with the best Madrid parks, let´s make a summary:
Which is the most beautiful park in Madrid?
It’s tough, as all the best parks in Madrid included in my list are special and unique. But overall, El Retiro is the most beautiful park in Madrid thanks to its optimal location and a perfect union of environment, culture, leisure, and sport.
How many parks are in Madrid?
Too many to count. These are, in my opinion, the 10 best parks and gardens in Madrid: El Retiro, Campo del Moro, Sabatini Gardens, Madrid Río, Casa de Campo, Oeste Park, Royal Botanical Garden, El Capricho, Quinta de la Fuente del Berro, and Berlin Park.
Which is the largest park in Madrid?
Casa de Campo is the largest park in Madrid, with an area of more than 1,700 hectares, five times bigger than New York´s Central Park.
Map with the best parks in Madrid
Finally, as promised, find below a map of the best parks in Madrid: