Location: Aranjuez
Top Things to do in Aranjuez
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Aranjuez, Community of Madrid
Aranjuez is the home of Palacio Real (Royal Palace), the spring residence of Spanish kings since the late 1880s. The beautiful gardens surrounding the palace are just as famous as the residence and are the inspiration for “Concierto de Aranjuez” by Joaquin Rodrigo, one of Spain’s most significant composers of the 20th century. During the summer, join the local tradition of eating dinner in the picnic area next to the Tagus River. UNESCO designated Aranjuez as a World Heritage landscape in 2001 and a very large casino was built in 2005.
Restaurants in Aranjuez
1. Mercadillo Vintage
2. Royal Palace of Aranjuez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,259 reviews
Reviewed By TTW103 - Madrid, Spain
Only a short distance from Madrid, this is a must visit. The self guided tour takes c 1.5 hours (there’s also options to book a tour or download an app to guide you during your visit) and you get to see a good few, elaborately decorated, rooms and the grand staircase. The gardens can be explored separately free of charge.
3. Casa del Labrador
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By southerntraveller49 - Andalucia, Spain
This small-sized palace is by far one of the most attractive places in the area. It was promoted by the former king Carlos IV as a secluded spot built in the middle of a big park near the Tagus River, mean to provide the royal couple (Carlos and Maria Luisa) a sort of intimate and relaxed haven, away from the hectic official life at the Royal Palace. So the main trait of Casa del Labrador is that it reflects the personal tastes of him and his wife, giving a sort of glimpse on a royal couple family life, as opposed to the more official taste of big royal palaces. When you see it from outside, the Casa del Labrador looks a bit bland and austere. It´s a palace, of course, but nothing special, nothing to write home about indeed. It´s indoors what is really awesome. It boast exquisite tapestries, fantastic floors, furniture, unique watchmaking pieces, frescoes and gilded decorations of the top quality and value. It´s admirable the painstaking manual work that most of them reflect. In fact, the contents are so delicate that you are asked to cover your shoes in the plastic bootees they give you at the beginning of the visit, in order not to damage the floors. Casa del Labrador is extraordinarily interesting if you are into decorative arts and this type of thing, as it displays an exquisite collection of the early XIXth decorative arts -the style usually known as "Imperio", contemporary to the Napoleon era-, besides its originality as being a place meant to have a more private function.
4. Jardin del Principe.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
Reviewed By jbrover - Alicante, Spain
Between the Royal Palace and the river Tagus this 18th century Prince's Garden is decorated with sculptures, fountains and lofty trees from the Americas. It also houses a number of historic buildings. Definitely worth while taking the time to slowly walk these gardens to better appreciate the atmosphere.
5. Jardin del Parterre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 53 reviews
Reviewed By Feb17 - Toronto, Canada
I love the sculptures, very artsy classy place. Fauna and flora, trees, shrubs, rivers are adding so much beauty in this beautiful place in Aranjuez. Love to go back and just stroll.
6. Jardin de la Isla
7. Museo de Faluas Reales
8. Real Iglesia de San Antonio
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By 598marisap - Dallas, United States
This is a beautiful church dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. It has a beautiful dome. Inside the temple, there is a nice statue of Saint Anthony with Jesus, and also a statue of Saint Joseph. This is an inspiring place to pray.
