I recently visited several royal palaces near Madrid and wanted to share my experience. Beyond the Royal Palace in the city center, there are quite a few worthwhile places in the surrounding area.
Aranjuez Royal Palace
This place is about 50 kilometers from Madrid, roughly a 45-minute ride on the C3 train line. The palace itself isn’t particularly large, but the gardens are truly beautiful. If you go in spring, you can see lots of flowers, though summer tends to be quite sunny. Admission is €9, or €14 for a combined ticket including the gardens and the boat museum.
Visiting Tips
Plan to spend at least 3 hours. The palace interior offers Chinese audio guides for €4 rental. The gardens are extensive—if you want to explore them fully, budget an additional 1-2 hours. Note that it’s closed on Mondays.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|
| Palace Ticket | €9 | Includes audio guide |
| Combined Ticket | €14 | Palace + Gardens + Museum |
| Parking | €2/hour | Free areas available |
El Escorial Monastery
This complex is even more impressive and historically significant. Located about 50 kilometers northwest of Madrid, you can reach it via bus routes 661 or 664, taking approximately 1 hour. Admission is €12, covering the monastery, royal palace, and library.
The architectural style is completely different from Aranjuez—very solemn and austere, which makes sense as it serves as both a monastery and royal mausoleum. The library’s ceiling frescoes are particularly exquisite and worth taking time to appreciate.
Practical Information
Allow at least 4 hours for your visit. Due to its higher elevation, it doesn’t get too hot even in summer. Supposedly free on Sunday afternoons, but it gets extremely crowded, so weekdays are recommended. The surrounding town offers lunch options at prices considerably lower than central Madrid.
Comparing the two, I personally prefer El Escorial for its more impressive architecture. However, Aranjuez’s gardens are definitely more photogenic. If you’re interested in exploring Madrid cuisine, Madrid restaurants, or even fishing spots near Madrid and have sufficient time, I recommend visiting both—each has its own unique charm.
