Aranjuez in a day, without a car from Madrid
A plan for seeing Aranjuez in one day by train from Madrid: palace, Parterre, Island Garden, an orchard lunch, the Barge Museum and sunset on the Tagus, with times.
The classic plan, for first-timers coming from Madrid by train. Everything is on foot, and the order is designed to avoid queues in the morning and end with the best light of the day by the river.
The plan
9:00
C-3 commuter train from Atocha
About 45 minutes. Sit on the right to see the Tagus valley as you arrive.
10:00
Royal Palace
Go in at opening time, ahead of the groups. A good hour. Keep your ticket: it's valid for the Barge Museum.
11:30
The Parterre
The Hercules and Antaeus fountain with the palace behind. Half an hour.
12:00
The Island Garden
Cross the channel and lose yourself among 16th-century fountains. Look out for the peacocks.
13:30
Orchard lunch
In the old town, near the Plaza de San Antonio. In spring, strawberries and asparagus.
15:30
The Prince's Garden and the Barge Museum
Walk to the landing stage and see the royal barges with your morning ticket.
17:30
Plaza de San Antonio
Coffee under the arcades facing the round church and the Mariblanca.
18:30
Sunset at the Puente de Barcas
The palace mirrored in the Tagus. Then a 15 to 20-minute walk to the station.
Before you go
- If it's a Wednesday or Sunday and you're an EU or Ibero-American citizen, flip the order: gardens in the morning and the palace free from 15:00 (ticket office only).
- The palace is closed on Mondays: pick another day.
- In July and August, move the garden walk to late afternoon.
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