Aranjuez is a historic municipality of 47,000 inhabitants at the confluence of the Tajo and Jarama rivers. It is about 50 km south of Madrid in Spain.
Located in the wide flat-bottom valley at the confluence of the Tajo and Jarama rivers, in an exquisite natural environment, the city of Aranjuez has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 2001.
The Royal House was once the exclusive spring residence of royalty and its 700 servant families. In 1747 the city began to become the modern and prosperous city of today, but preserving the exceptional cultural and sports opportunities for residents and visitors in an environment of great natural interest that was once reserved for courtiers and their king.
All the so-called riverside people still strive to serve everyone with the same pleasure with which they once served the nobility, and especially those seeking to know the history, architecture and culture that created their incomparable and sublime buildings, gardens and landscapes. - Aranjuez offers the best comfort and good cuisine.
Prince's Garden:
The Prince's Garden is located in Aranjuez. This extensive 150-hectare park is surrounded by wrought iron railings punctuated by four monumental Juan de Villanueva gates. Created by Boutelou in 1763 at the request of the future Charles IV, this English garden is a perfect illustration of the style in vogue in the late 18th century. The kings kept a greenhouse here and even raised exotic animals.
Labrador House:
This neoclassical palace from the 18th century is one of the residences of the Royal Family in Spain conveniently located on the grounds of the Royal Palace. What really steals the show is the amazing park-garden, which together with the royal residence provides an impressive backdrop to the old town of Aranjuez.
Royal gardens:
Starting from the Queen's Guard Room in the west wing to the lush gardens, the tour of the Royal Palace is an experience in itself. The royal gardens are an eclectic mix of local and exotic species along with a vast collection of seeds collected by Spanish botanists from Spain's colonies around the world. What better way to walk through the forest with its winding paths, majestic fountains, statues, and exotic plant species.
Faluas Museum:
This opulent museum beautifully displays the well-preserved 19th century royal barges of Aranjuez. The glorious decorations and ornaments on the boats look as impressive as the ships. The various boats here were used by the Spanish Kings to navigate along the Tagus River and other places in Madrid such as the Buen Retiro Lake Garden.
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez:
The center of attraction of the city is undoubtedly the Royal Palace that began as one of King Philip II's modest summer palaces largely inspired by French Versailles. The 300-room Royal Residence has been converted into an elegant complex filled with abundant royal ornamentation.
The limpet sanctuary:
Take a stroll through the Macaw Sanctuary, a place that provides refuge and protection to endangered macaws, along with some of the native species, focusing mainly on the strangest species and the most fragile birds such as the great green macaws. Many of these homeless creatures find the best care possible in this sanctuary.
