Discover the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid

History

The Botanical Garden of Madrid is a spectacular site full of plants, trees, and flowers. It was established in 1755 by Philip II. Initially, it had more than 2,000 plants, collected by José Quer, botanist and surgeon, on his many trips around the Iberian Peninsula and Europe. The continuous expansion of the garden led Charles III to order its relocation to its present site on the Paseo del Prado in Madrid in 1774 as part of the programme to develop the Salón del Prado and Atocha. By the beginning of the 19th century, the botanical garden had become one of the foremost botanical gardens in Europe. Today, it contains approximately 5,000 different species of trees and plants from all over the world. It is located in Plaza de Murillo, a 20-minute walk from Gran View Apartments.

Prices & Tickets

General admission costs €4, while admission including a visit to an exhibition costs €6; there is also the option of reduced admission (for students aged 18-25 and adults with large families) at a price of €6 with an exhibition and €2 without. For senior citizens over 65, it costs €4.50 with an exhibition and €0.50 without. Furthermore, admission to the Garden is free for everyone on Tuesdays after 2 p.m. and every day for children under 18, teachers, and the unemployed, among others. For more information on prices and buying your ticket online, please visit their website. 

Opening hours

The Botanical Garden opens every day at 10 a.m. and closes at different times depending on the time of year. In January, February, November, and December, it closes at 17:30; in March and October at 18:30; in April and September at 19:30 and, finally, in May, June, July and August, it closes at 20:30. 

Events & Light Shows

This space is much more than a botanical garden; it also hosts a wide range of events and activities for all audiences, from exhibitions and workshops to gymkhanas for children. Check out the full programme here. Furthermore, one of the best-known shows is "Illuminated Nature", when the garden is filled with magic and lights to dazzle the whole family. If you would like to attend this event, visit their website. 

Finally, if you would like to stay in the centre of Madrid and enjoy luxury facilities in a peaceful setting, Gran View Apartments is the place for you. Book your apartment now!

Cover image: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra