Aranjuez, south of Madrid, is a practical day trip for the Royal Palace of Aranjuez and its historic gardens. You can travel by Cercanías train from Atocha or by bus from Madrid’s South Bus Station, then visit the palace and continue on foot through the gardens and historic centre.
- Train: Cercanías lines C-3 and C-3a serve Aranjuez station.
- Bus: Line 423 runs between Madrid’s South Bus Station and Aranjuez.
- Palace hours: Tuesday to Sunday, with closing times that change by season; closed Mondays.
- Garden admission: Free for the Island Garden and Prince’s Garden.
Getting from Madrid to Aranjuez
You can reach Aranjuez from Madrid by Cercanías train, bus or car. For the train, start at Atocha and take line C-3 towards Aranjuez; Renfe also serves Aranjuez station with line C-3a. The station is at Plaza de la Estación, s/n, in Aranjuez.
If you prefer the bus, services depart from Madrid’s Méndez Álvaro South Bus Station. Line 423 connects the South Bus Station with Aranjuez, while line 429 runs from Legazpi to Aranjuez’s PAU de la Montaña.
The AISA line 401 also serves the Madrid–Ciempozuelos–Aranjuez route, with Madrid stops including Atocha and Legazpi. A tourism information page gives the single fare for line 423 as €4.20; confirm the fare with the operator before travelling.
Driving from Madrid, follow the A-4 and take the turnoff onto the M-305. If you are comparing the metro with other ways to get around Madrid, the Madrid metro guide from Valdecarros covers the local network.
Visiting the Royal Palace of Aranjuez
The Royal Palace of Aranjuez stands on Avenida de Palacio, and the visitor entrance is at the façade beside Plaza de Parejas. Plan your palace visit first, then leave time for the gardens nearby.
The palace opens Tuesday through Sunday. From October through March, its hours are 10:00–18:00, with last admission at 17:00. From April through September, it opens 10:00–19:00, with last admission at 18:00. It is closed on Mondays. Basic tickets are €9, reduced tickets €4 and agency tickets €7; free entry is available to eligible visitors subject to conditions.
Free admission is also available on Wednesdays and Sundays from 15:00 until closing. The last admission time still applies, so check the applicable seasonal hours before planning around free entry.
The palace has access for people with reduced mobility, and manual wheelchairs are provided. Personal photography without flash is permitted unless a place is specifically marked as prohibited. Tripods, selfie sticks and similar accessories are not allowed.
Walking the gardens and historic centre
After the palace, continue into the gardens: admission to the Island Garden and Prince’s Garden is free. Philip II commissioned the Island Garden, designed by Juan Bautista de Toledo. The adjacent King’s Garden draws on Italian Renaissance gardens, and its current decoration dates to Philip IV.
The gardens are open every day, but their hours vary through the year. They open 08:30–18:30 from January 1 through February 28, and 08:30–21:30 from June 16 through August 15.
Other seasonal schedules include 08:30–20:30 from the last weekend of March through June 15 and from August 16 through September 30. Hours may change with the clock change in March and October, affecting Saturdays and Sundays. Patrimonio Nacional says there are no capacity limits in gardens that are open.
If you want to add more than the palace and gardens, the Casa del Labrador has a single-entry price of €10; a guide costs €8 and an audio guide €5. Its visitor entrance is in the Prince’s Garden.
The Royal Barge Museum can be entered from the Prince’s Garden main gate or from Calle de Colmenar via the walkway over the Tagus River. The Royal Barge Museum also has access for people with reduced mobility and manual wheelchairs.
For another Madrid itinerary before or after your day trip, the one-day route through central Madrid focuses on the city centre.
Checking schedules and seasonal access
Schedules, fares and seasonal opening hours can change, so check the official site before you go. Use Patrimonio Nacional for palace and garden information, and Renfe or the relevant bus operator for transport details. Aranjuez station has ticket machines, a ticket office, parking, a taxi rank, toilets and bicycle parking; its opening hours are 00:15–23:55.
For a straightforward day, choose your transport first, visit the palace during its admission hours, then walk through the gardens and historic centre. If you are adding the Casa del Labrador or Royal Barge Museum, check their current access arrangements before setting out.
FAQs
Which train goes from Madrid to Aranjuez?
Cercanías line C-3 departs from Madrid’s Atocha station for Aranjuez. Aranjuez is also served by line C-3a.
When is the Royal Palace of Aranjuez open?
The palace is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed Mondays. Its opening and last admission times vary between October–March and April–September.
Are the gardens in Aranjuez free to enter?
Admission to the Island Garden and Prince’s Garden is free. Their opening hours vary by season.
Can you take photos inside the palace?
Personal photography without flash is allowed except where specifically prohibited. Tripods, selfie sticks and similar accessories are not allowed.