This historic Spanish town is known for its 16th-century Royal Palace, a UNESCO site with elaborate gardens and fountains. Local cafes serve traditional tapas near the palace grounds.
In Aranjuez, 55 kilometers south of Madrid, you can explore the Royal Palace's Porcelain Room with its intricate white and blue decorations, walk past 18th-century fountains in the Island Garden, or take a summer ride on the historic Strawberry Train from Madrid. The town's grid-pattern streets, lined with red-brick baroque buildings, connect the Royal Theatre - Spain's oldest covered theater - with the local food market where farmers sell fresh strawberries and asparagus.
Inside the Royal Palace
The Royal Palace occupies the center of Aranjuez, with its main entrance at Plaza de Armas. Walk through the Porcelain Room to see its white and blue rococo decorations covering walls and ceiling. The Moorish Room displays intricate geometric patterns and Arabic calligraphy inspired by Granada's Alhambra. In the Palace Chapel and Throne Room, architect Francisco Sabatini created gilt-decorated ceilings and marble columns. The Queen's Room contains an English piano given to Isabella II by empress Eugénie de Montijo.
Walking Through the Palace Gardens
The Island Garden stretches along the Tagus River, where you'll find white marble sculptures and fountains with mythological themes. The central Fountain of Hercules and Hydra depicts the hero's battle with the monster, while nearby fountains show Apollo playing his lyre and Bacchus holding grapes. In the Prince's Garden, follow gravel paths to the Chinese Pavilion with its red and gold decorations, and stop by the fish ponds. The Parterre Garden contains flower beds arranged in symmetrical patterns and rows of carefully trimmed box hedges.
Getting to Aranjuez
Take the C-3 train from Madrid's Atocha station to reach Aranjuez in 50 minutes. From May to October on weekends, you can ride the Strawberry Train - a restored 19th-century steam locomotive with wooden carriages. From Aranjuez station, walk 20 minutes along Avenida del Palacio, where 200-year-old plane trees create a natural tunnel, to reach the Royal Palace.
Local Food and Markets
In summer, residents sell strawberries and asparagus grown in the surrounding valley directly from their doorsteps. The Mercado de Abastos sells fresh produce from local farms, while shops along Calle Almíbar specialize in artisanal jams and preserves. During summer evenings, locals gather at gangos - traditional riverside picnic spots where families bring food and drinks.
Museums and Historical Buildings
The Museum of Royal Barges displays the decorated boats that Spanish kings and queens used for river journeys. Walk down an avenue lined with magnolia trees to reach Casa del Labrador, where you can see fourth-century Roman mosaics brought from Mérida and the Gallery of Statues with its collection of Roman emperor busts. The Royal Theatre, dating from 1766, hosts regular classical music concerts and opera performances.
