Know Aranjuezmunicipality of which The cultural landscape has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCOis a quote that should be a mandatory stop for those who want to visit the Community of Madrid. The municipality contains a wonderful cultural heritagewhere the Royal Palace and its vast, well-kept gardens – the largest in Europe –, a gastronomy worthy of the most demanding guestsmade with products from riverside lands and with very special and attractive activities for visitors.
And Aranjuez, beautiful villa at any time of the year it can be traveled by land, sea and air, leaving in our memory an unforgettable experience. Both from a cultural and gastronomic point of viewAranjuez is huge.
Maria Belmontedelegate for Tourism of the Aranjuez City Hall, emphasizes that this municipality “It has a heritage that belongs to everyone and is designed to enjoy and connect with beauty.” He also highlights that they organize iconic celebrations and activities that differentiate them from the tourist offerings offered elsewhere. “You can paddle a kayak, ride a horse, ride a bike, ride a hot air balloon to enjoy a panorama from the airenjoy a guided tour of the monumental district or the historic orchards, an afternoon on the terrace with a view of the palace with friends or family,” he adds.
A beautiful place seen from the sky
Those who love feel the freedom of the air In the heights, the activity of going up in a hot air balloon and flying over this beautiful town of Madrid is a very original project. There are different companies specializing in this type of experience, such as Still in the Clouds or The Balloon Company, which offer flights of around an hour, although the adventure can be complete, as it can include a celebration of the experience with cava and a picnic at the landing zone.
Riding a hot air balloon in Aranjuez is something extraordinary, so much so that every year they celebrate the Villa de Aranjuez Hot Air Balloon Festival. An event that adorns the sky of the town with balloons and where more than 20,000 people gather. Balloons arrive from different regions of Spain and land on the parade ground of the Royal Palace, creating a beautiful picture and hard to forget.
This event commemorates a historic event: the first manned flight of a hot air balloon carried out in Spainwhich took place on June 5, 1784.
Water activities
Intrepid people who love water sports and are full of adventure should know that in Aranjuez this is the case. activities on the Jarama and Tajo rivers through kayak and canoe routes.
It’s a perfect plan for the whole family, couples and groups of friends who want to do something different during the weekend. Kayaks and canoes They can be rented and the routes that can be taken are fascinating, since some of them cross the majestic gardens of the Royal Palace, through its emblematic bridges, such as Las Barcas or La Reina. The guides who travel the route will also discover some of the secrets of the historical sources of the palace environment, such as the Fountain of Hercules and Hydra.
Another route runs along the Tagus, following the banks of the Prince’s Gardensone of the largest and most beautiful gardens in Aranjuez, created in the 18th century, which features an impressive variety of flora and ornamental fountains. Without missing the Narciso Fountain and the Royal Pier during the visit. We will also pass very close to the Farmer’s housean elegant pleasure pavilion built by order of the king Charles IV at the end of the 18th century, where we will contemplate the harmony between architecture and nature.
On board Curiosity
Another option to know the municipality in the water is the Ship of Aranjuez I or also known as Curiosity.
A boat to drive equipped with all types of comfort and technology, to offer a fun and comfortable trip and get to know Aranjuez in a different way. East a 45 minute tripwith a historical explanation on board and several clue games to discover the riddles of the townvia our smartphones.
Soon, as Christmas approaches, Curiosity It offers an interesting activity for the whole family: Santa’s boat. A cruise on the boat 60 minuteswhere they will take place games, competitions and Christmas events of all kinds, karaoke and, in addition, children will be able to a photo with Santa Claus. Tickets are now on sale, Don’t miss this plan!
Thinking of the children, in Aranjuez we can also board the Chiquitrenfrom which we can discover the villa with the little ones in the house. We will return to the era of the steam engine and discover the beauty of the historic center and the immensity of the royal gardenswith its century-old trees, its fountains, its Chinese sculptures, its ponds, its museums and the rich flora and fauna that make up the Princely Gardens. Certainly, an indelible memory.
Strawberry Train, another way to travel
We can reach Aranjuez by carsince we are only 40 minutes from the capital, as well as Cercanías and in the amusing Strawberry Trainwith all the aesthetics of the 19th century and one of the proposals to allow us to travel differently.
Since its inauguration in 1984, the strawberry train travels from Madrid (Railway Museum, in the old Delicias station) to Aranjuez in a train with a century of historyaboard wooden cars with balconies, unique in all of Spain. This cultural and leisure experience evokes the route of the first railway in the Community of Madridbuilt in 1851 under the direction of Elizabeth II connect the capital to the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.
Throughout the journey, The train staff is dressed in period clothing and offers a tasting of strawberries, the most characteristic fruit of Aranjuez. Trains generally depart at 10 p.m. and return when evening begins to fall, around 6:30 p.m.
Bullfighting pastime
Bullfighting enthusiasts will also find their place in Aranjuez, a place with a long bullfighting tradition. He has a Bullfighting Museumwhich is located in the majestic and Aranjuez Bicentennial Bullringone of only three squares built before 1800, along with Ronda and Maestranza, which have the honor of being considered Historical and artistic places.
The square was built by Charles IV, inaugurated by the king and his wife, Marie-Louise of Parmain May 1797. The exterior wall of the square, made of masonry and brick, with a cut stone base, forms a polygon with 48 sides and three heights.
Inside we find the Museum Center, where we can explore every corner of the square, as well as see bullfighting clothing and posters of the great bullfighting masters.
Guided tours can be arranged, where fans can enjoy a perfectly structured visit with explanations of the architecture of the squareits various services, the functioning of the professionals who meet on the day of the show and the history of bullfighting in Aranjuez.
On this walk you will be able to see the exterior of the arena, the gang gate, the chapel, the alley, the Paseillo ritualdescription of the different parts of the arenas, explanation of the evolution of bullfighting, draggates, mulillas and slaughterhouses; enclosures, veterinary inspections and pigsties; as well as the Picadores gate, the royal boxthe stands and queues and the allusion to the illustrious people who visited the bicentenary arena.
