History of Madrid
Royal Palaces Near Madrid: Aranjuez, La Granja, El Pardo and Riofrío
4 min read
The 18th-century Bourbons built a constellation of royal palaces around Madrid that served as seasonal residences for the court. Each has its own character and collections. They are among the most important royal complexes in Europe and can easily be visited as a day trip from Madrid.
Royal Palace of Aranjuez
Aranjuez is the most accessible royal palace from Madrid: 45 minutes on Cercanías C-3 from Atocha. Situated at the confluence of the Tajo and Jarama rivers, the Royal Palace of Aranjuez has served as a spring and autumn royal residence since the 16th century.
History: Philip II ordered the first buildings in the 16th century; the current palace was built mainly by Ferdinand VI and Charles III in the 18th century.
What to see: The Royal Palace (state rooms, Arab Room, Porcelain Room), the Island Garden (between the rivers, a Renaissance garden), the Prince's Garden (romantic, 150 hectares), the Falúa Museum. Aranjuez is also famous for its asparagus and strawberries.
How to get there: Cercanías C-3 from Atocha (45 min). By car on the A-4 (50 km).
La Granja de San Ildefonso
La Granja is the Spanish Versailles, commissioned by Philip V in the early 18th century. It stands in the province of Segovia, on the northern slope of the Sierra de Guadarrama, at 1,190 metres altitude.
History: Philip V, nostalgic for Versailles, built this palace and its gardens as a retreat. The gardens, designed by French engineers, are the most spectacular element: 26 monumental fountains fed by reservoirs in the mountains.
What to see: The Royal Palace of La Granja (Flemish tapestries, glass collection), the Gardens (the fountains are activated only a few days a year — the most important days to visit), the village of San Ildefonso.
How to get there: No direct train. By car on the AP-6 or A-6 (80 km from Madrid, 1 hour). Also reachable by bus from Segovia.
The fountains: The days when the monumental fountains are activated (certain summer days) are the most crowded and most spectacular. Check the annual calendar at Patrimonio Nacional.
El Palacio de El Pardo
El Pardo is only 15 km from the centre of Madrid, in the woodland of the same name that served as the royal hunting grounds. It is the oldest palace in the Madrid environs.
History: The original palace was built by Charles I (the same Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire) in the 16th century on an earlier structure. It is in the Herreran style, architecturally austere. Francisco Franco lived here throughout his dictatorship (1939–1975).
What to see: The palace (interiors with tapestries by Goya and his workshop), the Casita del Príncipe (a small neoclassical pavilion in the gardens). Access is limited for most of the year owing to its use as a state guesthouse for official visits.
How to get there: Bus line 601 from Moncloa (30 min). By car.
The Palace of Riofrío
Riofrío is the least known and least visited of the royal palaces, which makes it the most tranquil. It is in the province of Segovia, near La Granja, in an oak forest with wild deer.
History: Built by Isabella Farnese (mother of Charles III) in the 18th century as a residence after her widowhood. The Bourbons used it occasionally as a hunting pavilion.
What to see: The palace (period furniture and objects, hunting museum) and the park with deer.
How to get there: Car only, about 80 km from Madrid on the A-6.
The Real Monasterio de El Escorial
El Escorial, though strictly a monastery rather than a palace, also served as the main working residence of Philip II and his successors. For a complete guide, see our article on El Escorial.
See also our guide to the Royal Palace of Madrid and family day trips from Madrid.
References:
- Patrimonio Nacional — Royal Palaces and Gardens of Spain.
- Bottineau, Yves — L'art de cour dans l'Espagne de Philippe V. Bordeaux, 1960.
