10 Best Park and Garden Tours in Madrid

Madrid is known for its countless parks and gardens, which offer an oasis of relaxation and entertainment. Of course, you can explore them on your own, but it's always more comfortable and fun to sign up for a guided tour. Don't miss the Segway tours of the iconic El Retiro Park or the replicas of European monuments aboard the Parque Europa tourist train.

Among the best things to do in Madrid are the historical tours that take you to war bunkers and stories of royalty. The possibilities are quite extensive, and here is a list of options you shouldn't miss.

The Retiro is an oasis of complete relaxation where you can enjoy historic and artistic gardens created in the 17th century. In fact, it is the oldest park in the capital and a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The park offers different types of guided tours, including walking, Segway and bicycle tours. There are also night-time experiences, as it is open from 6:00 a.m. to midnight.

Booking a Segway tour of El Retiro allows you to visit the Crystal Palace and its beautiful greenhouses. You can also see the famous pond, which is one of the most sought-after photo spots for tourists. But that's not all! There are hidden gems that you can uncover in the company of a professional guide.

Keep in mind that Segway tours require almost no effort, as they are electric vehicles. But if you want to get to know every nuance of Madrid, consider booking a tour of El Retiro with tapas to enjoy the capital's most popular appetisers and bars.

Details of interest

• Price: from £28 per person.
• Duration: from one hour to two and a half hours.
• Transport: a meeting point is usually indicated. You can take line 2 of the Madrid metro and get off at Retiro station. Be careful! The park has several entrances, and one of the easiest to find is next to the Puerta de Alcalá.

Madrid Río is a gem of the capital that borders the Manzanares River. It is ideal because it is less well known and quieter than El Retiro. Here you can enjoy Madrid in the open air and join walking or cycling tours.

In addition, one of the essential activities is to book a Segway tour of Madrid Río. These electric vehicles allow you to explore every corner at your own pace. You can cross the Segovia Bridge and the Toledo Bridge, or take advantage of the panoramic views.

In summer, cultural events are organised and you can enjoy a dip in the artificial beach. The surrounding area offers unique experiences such as the exhibitions at the El Matadero Cultural Centre and children's play areas. Within walking distance, you can see the Royal Palace, the Almudena Cathedral and the Glass Palace Conservatory in Arganzuela.

Details of interest

• Price: from £40 per person.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• Transport: the tour is usually done on foot, by bike or Segway, and a meeting point is set. The nearest metro stations are Príncipe Pío and Legazpi.

If you plan to spend at least 5 days in Madrid, then you have enough time to explore one of the best parks on the continent. Europa Park is located in Torrejón de Ardoz, 40 minutes from the city, where you can see life-size replicas of various European monuments.

It has a cybernetic fountain, children's areas and night-time light shows. It also has an adventure area with zip lines of varying intensities, a laser maze and archery games. The park offers guided tours that must be booked in advance. There are three options available:

• Europe Passport: a three-hour educational tour with games, ideal if you are visiting Madrid with children.
• Traditional guided tour: enjoy a two-hour walking tour and hear interesting anecdotes about each monument.
• Teodora La Locomotora: hop on a historic train for 45 minutes while you comfortably tour all the facilities.

If you are interested in historical tours of Madrid, this could definitely be the ideal plan for you.

Details of interest

• Price: the park is free and guided tours offered by the park start at £4 per person.

• Opening hours: you must book in advance and they will let you know the available times.

• Duration: the tour lasts approximately two hours.

• Transport: you must make your own way to the park and the tour of the facilities can be done on foot or by locomotive.

• Advantages of this option: you have the opportunity to ride on a historic train and learn about the history behind each monument.

• Disadvantages of this option: you can only book directly with the park and in summer the experience sells out quickly.

Madrid is known for its hidden corners, and one of my favourites is the El Capricho Garden in Alameda de Osuna. This romantic 19th-century garden is perfectly preserved and offers green trails. It also has French, Italian and English gardens. Among its main attractions are:

• The Palace of the Dukes of Osuna, preserved since the 18th century.
• The Casino de Baile, where grand banquets were held for high society.
• The maze, ideal for getting lost in what looks like a fairy tale.
• The War Bunker, an experience available by reservation. It is camouflaged under the trees and takes you back to the harrowing stories of the European wars.

This space is ideal for walking and enjoying the fresh air. If you plan to spend at least 3 days in Madrid, you can take advantage of a free walking tour. The free tours usually take place at 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and allow you to discover this beauty in approximately two hours. You won't have to pay to enjoy this experience with a professional guide, just leave a tip of no less than £5.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free and free tours are offered, where you only have to leave a tip of at least €5.

• Duration: one to two hours.

• Transport: the easiest way is to take line 5 to El Capricho station, from where you will have to walk less than five minutes through natural grounds and past a few buildings.

• Advantages of this option: you can learn about the history of the park and discover its most remote places with a guide.

• Disadvantages of this option: free tours do not usually offer access to the war bunker, which you will have to book in advance on your own.

Casa de Campo is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Madrid. It is five times larger than Central Park and offers endless activities to break up the routine. You can rent boats on its artificial lake and enjoy breathtaking views of part of the capital.

Its spaces are ideal for enjoying the city by bike or planning a hiking route. You can also book tickets for Madrid's amusement park or zoo, as they are among the best attractions in Madrid and are located in the area.

If you're looking to explore with a guide, take advantage of a free tour. This free experience takes you on a two-hour tour of the best of Casa de Campo. You'll learn stories about the Spanish royal family as you pass by the Palacio de los Varga and see war bunkers that have been hidden in this amazing place for years.

Details of interest

• Price: it's free and you can take advantage of free tours that only ask for a tip of at least €5.
• Duration: around two hours.
• Transport: you can take lines 5 and 10 to the Casa de Campo station, and when you exit, you will immediately see this green lung of the city.

Juan Carlos I Park is an ideal place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle. It stands out because it is one of the largest parks in the capital and is shaped like a ring. Among its main attractions is the Estufa Fría, a greenhouse with a variety of plants and a Japanese garden.

It is popular for its outdoor sculptures by world-renowned artists. Here you can take advantage of a tour of the facilities aboard the free tourist train, which offers informative commentary. The tour lasts approximately thirty minutes and is usually available in the afternoons.

If you want to enjoy summer in Madrid, you can take guided walking tours or join guided activities, such as canoeing lessons.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free.

• Duration: one to three hours.

• Transport: you can take advantage of Madrid's various public transport options, and the nearest metro stop is Feria de Madrid.

• Advantages of this option: you can enjoy fun activities such as canoeing.

Parque del Oeste is another unforgettable place in the capital. It is famous for being connected to the Temple of Debod and other popular attractions such as the Madrid Cable Car. It is also one of my favourites because it offers tree-lined paths, gardens and children's play areas.

Behind the Temple of Debod you will find an impressive viewpoint with views of the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Almudena Cathedral. In fact, it is a meeting point for many tourists and locals who come to enjoy the sunset.

Here you can take advantage of walking tours and themed tours that focus on the war bunkers hidden among the paths of this park. You can even sign up for free walks that delve into stories from its founding in 1905.

Details of interest

• Price: free, with free tours available.
• Duration: between one and two hours.
• Transportation: generally, you must arrive on your own, and there are bus and metro lines. The nearest metro stations are Plaza España and Moncloa.
• Drawbacks of this option: some areas lack shade and can be uncomfortable on very sunny and hot days.

If you plan to book a guided tour of the Royal Palace, you can take advantage of the nearby Sabatini Gardens, located directly opposite the north wing. This oasis of tranquillity offers privileged views of the palace façade and Plaza España.

Due to its location, it has an important connection with the history of royalty and sculptures dedicated to the main monarchs. You will also find three terraces and labyrinths that you can explore at your own pace. I recommend taking advantage of the walking tours of the grounds, which can be booked online or at local tourist agencies.

Details of interest

• Price: the gardens are free.
• Duration: 30 minutes to one hour.
• Transportation: there are several bus and metro lines that connect to this place, the closest metro stations being Ópera and Sol.

Advantages of this option: you can learn about the history and design of the gardens with a professional guide.

In the heart of Madrid are the Prince of Anglona Gardens. This natural beauty is part of the capital's royal gardens and retains its neoclassical decoration. Few tourists know of its existence, so you can enjoy a private visit through its paths, pergolas and 18th-century features.

To discover them without missing any details of their history, you can book a private tour of Madrid. This type of experience allows you to add a few stops of your choice and see the most important attractions. You could suggest these gardens and discover another side of the capital.

If you plan to visit Madrid in September, you can take advantage of this plan and admire the first colours of autumn.

Details of interest

• Price: free, but you can find customisable experiences that combine other tourist attractions in Madrid
• Duration: approximately one hour.
• Transport: the easiest way to get there is to take line 5 to La Latina station.

The Jardín de las Vistillas is an ideal place for those looking for a natural viewpoint in the heart of the city. From here you can see the Casa de Campo and part of the Manzanares River.

If you plan to visit Madrid in August, you can take advantage of the La Paloma festivities, which include concerts and cultural activities. The gardens do not offer an official tour, but you can visit them with an external guide and take advantage of private tours of Madrid.

For example, you can book a mystery and legends tour of Madrid, which usually visits the gardens to explore their horror stories involving crimes and ghosts. Without a doubt, this is a great plan for those who want to enjoy ghost tours in the city.

Details of interest

• Price: the gardens are free, but there are very entertaining guided tours that pass through them starting at €29 per person.
• Duration: at least one hour.
• Transport: there is usually a meeting point and you must make your own way there. The easiest way to get there is to take line 5 to La Latina station.
• Drawbacks of this option: it is located on a hill, which may be a negative point if you are looking for a more accessible and peaceful walk.