Travel to the Community of Madrid to discover the municipality of Aranjuez in the region of Las Vegas, an enclave of spectacular natural and cultural features where you can enjoy rural tourism to the full.
This is the area where the rivers Jarama and Tajo converge, leaving authentic natural beauties in their wake. Almost 60,000 people live here and it's also a popular destination for visitors from Madrid, just 38 minutes away. But how to get there? The possibilities are quite extensive, as there is a wide network of roads for coming by car and also several bus routes, not to mention the capital's light rail system.
Before visiting Aranjuez, you should know a little about its history. The story starts in prehistoric times, a period from which some archaeological sites have been excavated, but the golden age was from the 15th century onwards, when the Catholic Monarchs designated the town as a Royal Site. Its significance reached a peak during the reigns of Charles III and Charles IV, when it was the holiday resort of the court.
What to see in Aranjuez? There are many places to visit in this city and, in fact, its historic quarter has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site.
Starting with some of the most iconic landmarks, we find the Royal Palace, which is a World Heritage Site and was the country residence of the Spanish monarchs. It is also home to the palace gardens, which cover more than 111 hectares and offer one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the city. If you want to visit them, entry is free on Wednesdays and Sundays, so you can also discover some of their curiosities without spending a penny.
Other things you can do for free are to walk around the Plaza de San Antonio and stroll through the streets to contemplate the noble buildings, such as the palaces of Godoy, the Dukes of Osuna and Medinaceli.
You can make your day in Aranjuez complete by visiting the Royal Carlos III Theatre, the Mercado de Abastos, the Casa de Fogones or the imposing bullring. We also encourage you to visit the Plaza de la Constitución, one of the most emblematic squares in the city, where the Town Hall is located.
Among the events you must experience, we recommend the Royal Spring Days, as well as the festivities of San Isidro Labrador and the Motín de Aranjuez, which is a Festival of National Tourist Interest.
If you want to stay a few days to get to know the area in depth, and to have the opportunity to ride the famous Strawberry Train, we recommend renting a holiday cottage in Aranjuez. Any time of the year is a good time to visit, although if you do it in summer you will find cheap rural houses with swimming pools, as well as accommodation for groups, such as private properties for celebrations and large estates.
Everything is just as it should be for you to enjoy a getaway like no other in Aranjuez!
