Parks and outdoors in Madrid
Green Madrid: El Retiro park, Casa de Campo, Madrid Río, the Temple of Debod at sunset, the Royal Botanical Garden and city viewpoints.
Read our in-depth guides
Casa de Campo: Madrid's vast royal forest and park
Casa de Campo: Madrid's 1,700-hectare park with a lake, zoo, cable car, cycling trails, and open-air pools. Free entry, 20 min from the centre.
Cerro Tío Pío: Madrid's park with the city's best free panoramic views
Cerro Tío Pío in Vallecas has the best free 360° views of Madrid and a famous hilltop swing set. A local favourite unknown to most tourists. Entry free.
Dehesa de la Villa: Madrid's pine forest park for running and escaping the city
Dehesa de la Villa: 75 ha of pine and oak forest in northwest Madrid. The best park for running and genuine nature within the M-30. Free, open all hours.
Madrid Río: the city's riverfront park along the Manzanares
Madrid Río: 10 km linear park along the Manzanares opened in 2011. Cycling, playgrounds, outdoor pools, and views of the Royal Palace. Free access.
Parque del Oeste: Madrid's western park with roses and mountain views
Parque del Oeste: hillside park linking Debod to the Casa de Campo cable car, with a top rose garden in May and mountain views year-round. Free.
Real Jardín Botánico: Madrid's Royal Botanic Garden
Madrid's Royal Botanic Garden (Real Jardín Botánico) sits next to the Prado with 30,000 plants across 8 hectares. Entry €5. Best in spring and autumn.
Retiro Park guide: Madrid's great public park
Parque del Retiro is Madrid's 125-hectare heart — the Crystal Palace, the Rosaleda, the rowing lake, and Sunday afternoon crowds. A complete practical
Temple of Debod at sunset: Madrid's Egyptian temple and western skyline
Temple of Debod: an authentic Egyptian temple in a Madrid park, free to visit. One of the best sunset viewpoints — Royal Palace and Guadarrama in view.