Aranjuez, Spain

Aranjuez highlights

Known for garden, historical center, museum, natural and architectural ensemble, palace, park, catholic monastery

palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Aranjuez is a charming town known for its stunning gardens and rich history. The Royal Palace of Aranjuez, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family. Established in the 16th century as a royal hunting lodge, the palace was built by order of Philip II and has been a seasonal seat of the court ever since.

Other places in Spain that we are familiar with

Alhambra - Known for fortress, museum, palace; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Antequera - Known for ancient megalites, fortress, historical center, nature, palace, catholic church, catholic monastery; ancient megalites is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Aracena - Known for castle, cave, museum, catholic church

Toledo - Known for castle, historical center, museum, river, scenic road, viewpoint, walls, catholic cathedral, catholic monastery, catholic church; historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Last reviewed: 8 September 2024

Aranjuez description

Aranjuez, a town in central Spain, has a rich history dating back to the 12th century. The Order of Santiago created an exclusive hunting reserve alongside the river Tagus near its junction with the river Jarama. In 1523, Charles I of Spain took possession of the area, designating it as Real Bosque y Casa de Aranjuez (Royal Woods and House of Aranjuez) for the entertainment of his guests during the springtime hunting season.

Philip II became aware of the fertile meadows of Aranjuez and designated a portion of land to the north of the river Tagus for pottager and general agriculture in 1561. He also established a botanical garden to catalog the newly catalogued species of plants brought from the Americas.

The site also included exotic animals such as dromedaries (camellos in the period sources): about 10 in 1583 and about 40 in 1598. After Philip's death in 1598, the works were still in progress with only the royal apartments, the chapel, the south tower, and part of the western facade completed.

The palace's gardens, including the Jardín de la Isla, Jardín del Parterre, and Jardín del Príncipe, are a must-visit attraction. The gardens were planned, built, and decorated for centuries with the same refinement and care as the building of the Royal Palace, using Versailles as a model.

The Old Quarter of Aranjuez has been declared a Historic Artistic Monument, showcasing Baroque town planning. Designed in 1747 by Giacomo Bonavia, it features impressive houses with courtyards, domes, mansions, convents, balconies, squares, and spacious streets, testifying to four centuries of history.

Visitors can also enjoy the Casa del Labrador, one of the most splendid buildings of the Bourbon Dynasty, and the Falúas Museum, which showcases luxurious vessels that sailed on the Tagus and belonged to Charles IV, Ferdinand VII, and Alfonso XII.

Aranjuez is famous for its strawberries and asparagus, and the typical dessert in this location is strawberries with whipped cream. In spring and summer, a historic train known as the ＂strawberry train＂ runs from Madrid to Aranjuez, offering another tourist attraction.

The town's microclimate, created by the convergence of three rivers, makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers. The Aranjuez Cultural Landscape, including the Royal Palace, gardens, and the city center, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2001.

For centuries, the kings and queens of Spain spent their spring months at the Palace of Aranjuez, coming for the stunning gardens that surrounded the grounds. The site became an incubator for the evolution of concepts: humanism and political centralisation; the development of 18th-century French-style Baroque gardens; and urban lifestyle, which developed alongside the sciences during the Age of Enlightenment.

Aranjuez is a year-round destination, with a microclimate making it cool even in the summer. The fall and spring are recommended for visiting, with the autumn offering changing leaves and the spring offering blossoms and the smell of fresh flowers.

Aranjuez related tours

Sorry, we have no any pre-designed tour passing trough this place yet. If you would like to visit this place, please contact us.