Don Manuel

General Info

by Redang

Tourism office
Plaza de San Antonio, 9
28300 Aranjuez (Madrid)

- Tel.: (+34) 91 891 04 27
- Fax: (+34) 91 891 41 97

- Internet (in Spanish):
www.aranjuez.es/sql/default.asp?id=1296 (for tourism)
www.aranjuez.es (for the city)
www.aranjuez.es/sql/default.asp?nc=545&id=1386 (for the Tourism Office)

- E mail: infoturismo@aranjuez.es

There is a Tourism Post in front of the Royal Palace.

Canoeing

by SirRichard

You can have a canoeing trip at the River Tajus, very beautiful at this point, for 2-5 hours.
Groups of 10.
Reserve at (34) 918 929 392 or 902 088 089.
Or just go to the river, at the opposite shore by the "El Rana Verde" restaurant and ask where U C canoes...

Palacio Real - King's Palace main façade.

by breughel

Let's start the visit by the west side and the beautiful U-shaped facade surrounding the courtyard. The palace combines the elegant white stone and red brick. The palace was begun under Philip II and was a recreational estate.
Although the architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera were those in charge of the austere Escorial palace, here in Aranjuez the recreational purpose dominates and it is in my opinion much more pleasant to visit than El Escorial.

Its present appearance dates from the restoration of Charles III, early eighteenth century, who added two wings. The main front is in Herrera's Renaissance style, but the Baroque influences of his successor Francesco Sabatini who designed the side wings are evident. The palace shows nevertheless a beautiful architectural unity.

In front of the palace courtyard is a large elliptical parade ground called "Plaza de Armas" from where my photos are taken. What is strange is that behind this parade ground it is open country. There is no urbanization opposite the main façade of the palace, just three wide avenues leading to the present railway station.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday 10 h - 17.15 h (18.15 h 1/04 - 30/09).
Closed on Mondays, 1 & 6/01, 1 & 31/05, 6/09, 1/11, 24, 25 & 31/12.
Price: 4,50 €; reduced 2,50 €, free on Wednesdays for EU citizens.

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Commençons la visite par le côté ouest et la très belle façade en forme de U entourant la cour d'honneur. Le palais combine de façon très élégante la pierre blanche et la brique rouge. Le palais fut commencé sous Philippe II; c'était une résidence de loisirs.
Son aspect actuel date de la restauration par Charles III, début du XVIIIe siècle qui ajouta les deux ailes. Le palais est de style Herrera et possède une belle unité de style architectural.
Devant le palais se trouve une grande place d'armes d'où sont prises mes photos mais ce qui est étrange c'est qu'au-delà de cette place d'armes c'est le vide. Aucune urbanisation face à la façade principale du palais; juste de larges avenues qui se dirigent vers l'actuelle gare ferroviaire.

Prince Gardens

by SirRichard

These are the main gardens here. They are located all along the river, and have many entrances along the main road.
They are bigger and "wilder" than the Island's Gardens. Inside you will find:
- Casa del Labrador palace
- Vessels Museum
- Royal embankment
- Pavillions gardens
- Apollo's fountain

Aranjuez

by Redang

"UNESCO World Heritage"

Aranjuez is 48 kms. south of Madrid, and it is a good place for a daytrip. By train, it takes about 40 minutes.

The most important visits are the fantastic Royal Palace and the gardens (but there are more interesting places).