A day plan by car
The south: the Aranjuez palace and its gardens, then the Plaza Mayor de Chinchón and Colmenar de Oreja
- From and to
- 09:15 to 18:00
- Duration
- Full day, ~9 hours
- Distance
- 150 km
- Steps
- 10
A relaxed royal and rural day for families and older people (light walking, flat routes); best in spring and autumn. Do not go on a Monday, when the palace is closed. Full day, ~9 hours.
Drawn by Dr. Abdulmajeed Al-Mudarra
- Start
- Madrid
- Finish
- Madrid
The palace is closed Monday. The heat is intense in July and August in the gardens and open squares.
- 09:15
Drive
Drive to Aranjuez
Madrid → Aranjuez
About 45 minutes (~50 km), via the A-4.
- 10:00
Visit
Palacio Real de Aranjuez
The spring residence of the kings of Spain; Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–19:00 (October–March until 18:00), closed Monday. Book tickets ahead; one and a half hours.
- 11:45
Walk
Parterre and Island gardens
Jardín del Parterre y Jardín de la Isla
Free gardens beside the palace on the Tagus river; 45 minutes. Those who want more can visit the Prince's Garden (Jardín del Príncipe), which is bigger and needs a car or the internal tourist train.
- 12:30
Rest
El Rana Verde café/restaurant
El Rana Verde
A coffee or drink break on the riverbank (from your list, suitable for families).
- 13:15
Drive
Drive to Chinchón
Aranjuez → Chinchón
About 25 minutes (~25 km).
- 13:45
Meal
Parador de Chinchón
Lunch in an old Augustinian monastery converted into a parador hotel, with a quiet garden (from your list). Alternative overlooking the square: Café de la Iberia (from your list). Book for weekends and holidays.
- 15:30
Walk
Plaza Mayor de Chinchón
A unique circular square with green wooden balconies from the 15th–17th centuries; a 45-minute tour up to the Counts' castle (from the outside). Some alleys are steep.
- 16:30
Drive
Drive to Colmenar de Oreja
Chinchón → Colmenar de Oreja
About 12 minutes (~10 km).
- 16:45
Visit
Plaza Mayor de Colmenar de Oreja
Plaza Mayor de Colmenar de Oreja
An elegant square with stone arcades, and the Museo Ulpiano Checa with its Orientalist paintings by Ulpiano Checa (Tuesday–Sunday; check the afternoon hours). One hour.
- 18:00
Drive
Drive to Madrid
Colmenar de Oreja → Madrid
About 50 minutes (~55 km), via the M-311 and the A-3.