Aranjuez Day Journey From Madrid: Tips on how to Get There & What to Do

Need to escape town for some time? Enable me to recommend a day journey from Madrid to Aranjuez: a tranquil city lower than an hour away by prepare!

It has been greater than 10 years (!) since I went to Aranjuez for the primary time, however it’s nonetheless one in every of my favourite locations close to Madrid. From its well-known Royal Palace to its huge avenues and café terraces, there are many causes to go to this small city simply south of the Spanish capital.

This is the story of my very first go to, with some background information and up to date suggestions for the best Aranjuez day journey from Madrid!

Tips on how to Get to Aranjuez From Madrid

First issues first! Essentially the most handy method to get to Aranjuez from Madrid is on the Cercanías commuter prepare. The C3 prepare leaves from the Atocha prepare station about each 20 minutes. It will get you to Aranjuez in round 45 minutes—for lower than €7 spherical journey!

You may as well drive from Madrid to Aranjuez, however it takes about the identical period of time. I recommend taking the prepare to keep away from any potential points with visitors and parking.

Now that we have lined getting there, here is the story of the primary time I ever visited Aranjuez!

My First Aranjuez Day Journey

I arrived to Aranjuez offended.

Armed with my heavy digicam bag, two lenses, and the concept of practising my images abilities within the famend Royal Palace of Aranjuez, I used to be crushed once I realized I had forgotten my digicam’s reminiscence card.

It solely made issues worse once we clearly went the flawed manner after exiting the prepare. (It needs to be frequent sense that having to bolt throughout the prepare tracks in a touristy city isn’t regular, however frequent sense isn’t at all times my sturdy level!)

So we had been already misplaced, surrounded by timber, and strolling down a large filth highway. I used to be pouting and feeling unhealthy for myself and doubtless getting on everybody’s nerves.

However as we walked alongside, we caught a glimpse of what may solely be the Royal Palace, and my good friend supplied me her digital digicam. Issues had been wanting up.

Aranjuez: A Little bit of Background

I did not know a lot about Aranjuez earlier than arriving. Since transferring to Madrid I would been listening to about strange-sounding Spanish cities continuously: Aranjuez, El Escorial, Chinchón, Segovia, Alcalá de Henares, Toledo…

I figured that they might every be good however not essentially spectacular after residing among the many beautiful whitewashed previous cities of Andalusia. As ordinary, I used to be flawed, and the locations I have been thus far have every been distinctive and unimaginable.

As for Aranjuez, listed here are some enjoyable details simply in case you wish to know a little bit greater than I did earlier than visiting:

• Aranjuez has been an vital metropolis since Roman occasions, when it served as a Roman stronghold.
• Within the thirteenth century, Aranjuez was the headquarters of the Order of Santiago.
• King Felipe II was the one who commissioned the gorgeous Royal Palace of Aranjuez and its distinctive and sprawling gardens (virtually 750 acres!). He additionally named it an official Royal Web site in 1560.
• The Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabella) used to spend time in Aranjuez on the official royal summer time residence and looking lodge.
• In 1851 Aranjuez was such a giant, vital metropolis that Spain’s second railway ever was constructed to attach it with Madrid.
• It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 2001.
• The city is known for its strawberries and asparagus.

Tips on how to Spend a Day in Aranjuez

After I first visited Aranjuez, we had no particular plan (which is typically one of the simplest ways to journey)—so we determined to eat first.

There have been folks in all places passing out flyers for native eating places with attractive (and low-cost) every day menus. We determined to decide on moderately randomly and loved a fast menu del día at a close-by restaurant.

Should you’d moderately plan the place to eat in Aranjuez forward of time, listed here are a couple of native eating places with good opinions:

• Casa José: Inventive delicacies with nice vegetarian choices
• Casa Delapio: Upscale seasonal tapas and a very good wine record
• El Rana Verde: Recent seafood, roasted meats, and do-it-yourself desserts

Visiting the Royal Palace and Gardens

Subsequent, we determined to tour the Royal Palace. There is a pupil low cost obtainable should you’re underneath 25, however as neither college students nor children, we every paid €9 for the non-guided tour of the palace (which additionally included a couple of different monuments we by no means received round to).

Actually, I am not an enormous fan of palace excursions and it was principally what I had anticipated: gaudy-looking rooms and a moderately faux feeling, like a film set. I am sorry if my ignorance offends any artwork historical past folks—however I feel my €9 would have been higher invested in pastries for my merienda! 

After attempting our greatest to persuade ourselves that the palace tour had been properly price it, we walked across the royal gardens for what appeared like hours. They had been beautiful and massive: the right place to aimlessly wander round—till you understand you are at the least two miles from the doorway!

Exploring the City Middle

Exhausted, we lastly made our manner again to the middle. I used to be actually struck by how completely different Aranjuez was from the opposite Spanish cities I would visited. It appeared far more unfold out and arranged, with huge avenues, large sidewalks and boulevards, and loads of house in all places! That is undoubtedly not the norm in some Spanish cities.

Lastly, earlier than catching the prepare again to Madrid, we stopped at one of many city’s many cafés for espresso and a pastry. My digicam disaster lengthy forgotten, I had actually loved my day in Aranjuez, and mentally added it to my record of locations to return with guests (if anybody would simply come to go to me already!).

In my view, Aranjuez makes for an ideal day journey from Madrid. I’d say that it is presently tied in first place for me, together with Toledo. I feel it is the best day journey for somebody searching for a calming day spent out of town.

Aranjuez Day Journey FAQs

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