“Green Spaces in Madrid, Spain”.
Madrid is one of the greenest capitals in Europe, with more than 44% of its surface covered by green areas. It has some of the largest urban parks in Europe and continues to expand its green spaces.
✅ Key Green Spaces in Madrid:
1. Casa de Campo 🌳
- The largest park in Madrid (1,722 hectares)—five times the size of Central Park (NYC)!
- Features forests, a lake, hiking trails, and even the Madrid Zoo & Aquarium.
- Perfect for cycling, running, or picnics.
2. El Retiro Park 🌿 (Parque del Buen Retiro)
- The most famous park in Madrid and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Covers 125 hectares with beautiful gardens, sculptures, and a large boating lake.
- Features the Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal) and the Rose Garden.
3. Madrid Río 🌊
- A modern urban park along the Manzanares River with bike paths, green areas, and playgrounds.
- Transformed from a highway into a pedestrian-friendly green space.
- Explore the open river banks with our green bike tour.
4. Monte de El Pardo 🌲
- One of the best-preserved Mediterranean forests in Europe
- Over 16,000 hectares with wildlife like deer and eagles.
- Used as a royal hunting ground in the past.
- A good spot for hiking and MTB.
5. Parque de Juan Carlos I 🌼
- A large modern park (160 hectares) with art installations, a lake, and an olive grove.
- Ideal for cycling, picnics, and outdoor concerts.
6. Dehesa de la Villa 🌳
- A quieter, natural park with dense forests and hiking trails.
- One of the best places to see Madrid’s skyline.
🌍 Madrid’s Green Initiatives
- 2030 Sustainability Plan to plant more than 100,000 trees.
- “Bosque Metropolitano” (Metropolitan Forest) – a 600 km² green belt around the city.
- One of the highest numbers of trees per capita in the world 🌳.
⭐ Final Verdict
Madrid is one of the greenest major cities in Europe, with a mix of historical parks, forests, and modern green spaces. While Vienna or Oslo might have a higher percentage of green areas, Madrid offers both vast natural parks and well-maintained urban gardens. Discover our city tours in Madrid.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your climbs, hikes and adventures. Be aware of local regulations and don’t damage natural parks and wilderness.
DREAMPEAKS: HIKING IN MADRID. ADVENTURE TOURS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES IN MADRID, SPAIN.
Text by Gabriel Blanco. AEGM-UIMLA- Mountain Guide.