Royal Botanical Garden

What to expect

The Royal Botanical Garden was founded in 1755 by Ferdinand VI on the banks of the Manzanares and moved to its present site beside the Prado in the early 1780s on the orders of Charles III. Francesco Sabatini and Juan de Villanueva shaped its layout. It covers about eight hectares and was originally planted on terraces, with the plants grouped following the system of Linnaeus.

Today it is a garden of shaded paths and tiered terraces, with some 1,500 trees and many thousands of plants, plus greenhouses for tropical and desert species. It is calm and rarely crowded, a good break after the museums next door. Most people stay 45 minutes to an hour, longer if they enjoy plants.

Don't miss

• The tiered terraces
• The nineteenth-century Graëlls greenhouse
• Shaded avenues of mature trees
• Shaded paths and flower beds
• Desert and tropical plant houses

Tips for your visit

• Visit in spring or early autumn for the best colours and comfortable temperatures.
• It is a quiet stop between the Prado and the Retiro Park, both within a short walk.
• Bring water in summer; shade is good, but the walks are exposed in places.
• Check which greenhouses are open on the website, as some close for maintenance.