Aranjuez is an historic municipality (population 47,000) at the confluence of the and rivers. It is about 50 km south of Madrid in Spain and difficult for Anglophones to pronounce: sounds something like aran'with!
Nestling in the wide, flat-bottomed valley at the confluence of the Tagus (locally Tajo) and Jarama rivers, in an exquisite natural setting, the town of Aranjuez, has been declared a UNESCO Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site since 2001.
The Royal Estate and Villa was once the exclusive springtime residence of royalty and its 700 families of servants. In 1747 the town started to become the modern thriving city of today, but retaining the outstanding cultural and sporting opportunities for residents and visitors in an environment of great natural interest once reserved to courtiers and their king.
All so-called ribereños still strive to serve everyone as delightfully as they once served the nobility, and especially those who seek know the history, architecture, and the culture that created its incomparably sublime buildings, gardens, and landscapes - Aranjuez offers food for thought combined with serenity, comfort and fine cuisine.
- dates from the 18th century. Some of the famous rooms are:
- The Porcelain Study
- Throne Room
- Jardin de la Isla attached formal gardens
- Plaza Eliptica oval grassed park, with three radiating walkways with shady trees leading towards the festival ground near the railway station
- One of the exterior facades of the Palace, the Gardens surrounding the Palace
- Chiquitren- tourist road-train which visits:
- Jardin de la Isla - formal gardens adjoining the palace
- Jardin del Principe - an extensive riverside park with many features, including
- Botanical Gardens
- Chinese Garden
- Real Casa del Labrador
- Museo de Falúas Reales - Royal Barge Collection Within Aranjuez, there are many sculptures and architectural gems - because the town was created by royalty and only royal servants were permitted, the vernacular buildings tend to be of one design in the tightly packed centre, interspersed with noble palaces and grand military installations along the boulevards. Worth visiting are the newly restored railway station and Carlos III theatre, the Queen's stable, now adapted as the municipal cultural centre, the central Abastos market and (ruined) Carlos municipal (plague) hospital. Saturdays there is a substantial open air market for food and clothing in Calle Valeras, which faces the Royal Palace.
- Mariblanca - a large sandy square properly called Plaza San Antonio afte the Royal chapel at the end.
- Plaza de la Constitución
- Town hall (casa de los empleados)
- Central covered market Abastos
- Bull Ring The first Plaza de Toros built in Spain, contains small museum
- Palacios Principe de La Paz -the rogue royal favourite who provoked the mutiny of Aranjuez for consorting with Napoleon - near the palace (now a 4* hotel) and also in Calle Principe - now Colegeo de la Sacrada Familia - in front of which the mutiny is re-enacted)
- Heurtas y Jardines Shady tree-lined walks in what used to be the kitchen gardens and orchards
- Parque Talud Sur: A newly constructed park on the south slope of La Montaña district, near Doce Calles
- Parque Pozo de las Nieves, Aranjuez The Snow Well Park
Heurtas y Jardines Shady tree-lined walks in what used to be the kitchen gardens and orchards
[[:Commons: Aranjuez#Parque_Talud_Sur_de_La_Monta.C3.B1a|Parque Talud Sur]]: A newly constructed park on the south slope of La Montaña district, near Doce Calles
[[:commons: Aranjuez#Parque_del_Pozo_de_las_Nieves / Park_of_the_Well_of_Snow| Parque Pozo de las Nieves, Aranjuez]] The Snow Well Park
- Feria de Aranjuez festival about first week of September includes
- a fun-fair (car park, M-305)
- sports events (Delete stadium)
- food and drink stalls (Mariblanca)
- a concert at the Royal Palace
- a traditional or Sacrificio Goyesque (in the Plaza de Toros)
- a dramatic street re-enactment of the attack and burning of Godoy's House, (now Sacrada Familia school in Avenida Principe) with fireworks and costumes inspired by Goya paintings
- A fun raft-race organized by the pirates of the Tajo
The took place in March 1808 because Godoy was believed to have colluded with Napoleon to invade Spain on the pretext of attacking Portugal. Subsequently the French forced both the Spanish King Carlos IV and his son to abdicate in favour of Napoleon's brother, Joseph, (José I). The Spanish, aided by British forces under Wellington, ejected José and reinstalled the king's son as Ferdinand VII, the last regular royal occupant at Aranjuez who ruled until his death in 1833.
Be sure always to tell someone (such as your hotel receptionist or host) what you are planning, and throughout the summer use Factor 50 sun block on exposed flesh, and be sure to take (even on short outings).
- a large bottle of water
- a sombrero or sun-hat (with a brim all around)
- a (fully charged, with credit) telephone:
- the medical emergency number is 061
- Other emergencies 112
- police national 091, municipal 092 Level walks
- Doce Calles Take the Madrid road (M-305) northwards. There are twelve shady paths radiating from s a new roundabout with El Kiosco bar/restaurant. Take either Calle Sin Salida or Calle la Montaña - there is a new park constructed on the south bank Talud Sur La Montaña (actually not a mountain, but a plateau).
- To the left leads to a restored water-wheel and Hospital Tajo.
- To the right, the level route leads to El cortijo de San Isidro palace (with adjacent cafe-bar),
- To the right, uphill leads to a residential district of houses and apartment blocks, where, in calle Avila there a great view over the town and the colleges of the Guardia Civil (The Spanish armed police training center). There you will also find a local bar El Cazuela de Chiquitin which is cheap good country cooking and worth a visit, if only for the tapas!
- Ruta del Sol The other side of the M305 is also an flat, agricultural area, where there are paths leading to a disused hippodrome, the rivers Tajo (Tagus) and Jarama. There are bridges to cross the railway line
- Los Coroneles (on Google maps:Glorieta Cultural) is the middle of five level paths radiating westward from the palace (Plaza Eliptica) ehich lead to a festival ground near the railway station. Here you will find sone ruined barracks (Antigua Cuarteles) a few isolated housed near the river and some industrial buildings relating to the disused rail-freight yard. The weir of the River Tajo, which facilitates irrigation, is near the Palacio Real.
- Vía Pecuria a drovers path is marked and leads north of La Montaña through olive groves and glorious countryside to Madrid - but there is not much shade - the entire route is about 80 km (50 miles). Start from Aranjuez center and take either the M305 Madrid (as for Doce Calles) or the M305a, along Jardines del Principe (Avenida de la Reina) over the bridge by the golf course towards:
- Cortijo de Aranjuez
- Castillo de Oreja,
- Titulcia, Vía Pecuaria de los Puentes,
- Ciempozuelos,
- San Martín de la Vega,
- Perales del Rio,
- Getafe Metro Station (Alonso de Mendoza)
Doce Calles Take the Madrid road (M-305) northwards. There are twelve shady paths radiating from s a new roundabout with El Kiosco bar/restaurant. Take either Calle Sin Salida or Calle la Montaña - there is a new park constructed on the south bank Talud Sur La Montaña (actually not a mountain, but a plateau).
- To the left leads to a restored water-wheel and Hospital Tajo.
- To the right, the level route leads to El cortijo de San Isidro palace (with adjacent cafe-bar),
- To the right, uphill leads to a residential district of houses and apartment blocks, where, in calle Avila there a great view over the town and the colleges of the Guardia Civil (The Spanish armed police training center). There you will also find a local bar El Cazuela de Chiquitin which is cheap good country cooking and worth a visit, if only for the tapas!
Ruta del Sol The other side of the M305 is also an flat, agricultural area, where there are paths leading to a disused hippodrome, the rivers Tajo (Tagus) and Jarama. There are bridges to cross the railway line
Los Coroneles (on Google maps:Glorieta Cultural) is the middle of five level paths radiating westward from the palace (Plaza Eliptica) ehich lead to a festival ground near the railway station. Here you will find sone ruined barracks (Antigua Cuarteles) a few isolated housed near the river and some industrial buildings relating to the disused rail-freight yard. The weir of the River Tajo, which facilitates irrigation, is near the Palacio Real.
Vía Pecuria a drovers path is marked and leads north of La Montaña through olive groves and glorious countryside to Madrid - but there is not much shade - the entire route is about 80 km (50 miles). Start from Aranjuez center and take either the M305 Madrid (as for Doce Calles) or the M305a, along Jardines del Principe (Avenida de la Reina) over the bridge by the golf course towards:
- Cortijo de Aranjuez
- Castillo de Oreja,
- Titulcia, Vía Pecuaria de los Puentes,
- Ciempozuelos,
- San Martín de la Vega,
- Perales del Rio,
- Getafe Metro Station (Alonso de Mendoza)
There are two casinos:
- The Casino central near Calle Infantas - in Calle Capitan (Angosto Gomez Castillon - but there is really only one capitain street in this town town!) email: casinodearanjuez@hotmail.com Telephone 918 921 444
- Gran Casino. A vast complex in La Montaña (m-305 3Km north of palace)
Gran Casino. A vast complex in La Montaña (m-305 3Km north of palace)
- Golf Aranjuez. A 9-hole municipal facility
- La Montaña an 18-hole golf. Is a commercial venture
- Canoeing. At Escuela de Pirigismo (opposite palace) As well as golf and canoeing mentioned, most common sports facilities are available at low cost municipal installations, and there are various adventure activities such as outdoor airsoft or paint-ball on the so-called "Hamburger hill" adventure park (south of Aranjuez) and parapente or paragliding on La Montaña (behind schools on Avenida de la Paz de Hiroshima).
Golf Aranjuez. A 9-hole municipal facility
La Montaña an 18-hole golf. Is a commercial venture
Canoeing. At Escuela de Pirigismo (opposite palace)
Aranjuez is the wedding capital of Spain - maybe because you are royalty for the day! There are several shops selling or hiring wedding dresses, formal wear etc. and several specialist event organizers, including:
- Gran Casino
- La Finca de Montaña
- Hotel Barcelo Any of the several professional photographic shops in the town can suggest some great/elegant/natural backgrounds for those 'forever fotos'
Yes! Really it is possible - the building bubble burst, and this town is bursting with four-bedroom houses - detached, terraced or semi-detached chalets and apartments from 1 - 3 bedrooms, all soundly built to EC standards but which became toxic assets, now to be sold by Spain's bad-bank - Sociedad de Gestión de Activos Procedentes de la Reestructuración Bancaria (or 'Sareb').
Although good concrete frame construction buildings, the finish is often poor, so the original asking price (c. €400,000) is usually about half the current list price, but what the market will bear is half that. In 2012 a chalet was offered at €167,000, and similar homes could be rented for about €500 because private owners are getting desperate. Aranjuez is pleasant, safe and child-friendly sort of place in which to live. The weather is sub-tropical (rarely freezes, can be 40ºC in high summer). Magical Madrid, Spain's capital city, is 1-hour commuting distance, and the monthly train ticket is around €90.
There are some excellent restaurants for all budgets (main meal from about €10-100 per person) serving local speciality foods, notably
- The strawberries of Aranjuez are famous throughout Spain.
- small artichokes which can be eaten whole and
- asparagus, which may be mature, white and thick (blanco) or young thin green brotes/trigots.
In the noble tradition, seafood and shellfish are widely available all year round, often mixed with other dishes. (If you have allergies - ask! - as many common dishes such as beef steak or green salad are prepared or served with pork products, or else garnished with mariscos which for safety, are often deep frozen, which locally is believed to destroy any toxins).
- Paella usually rice with seafood (con mariscos) or variations with meat (mixta) Alternative (nearly) vegetarian recipes include setas/boletus (types of mushroom) or Valenciana (mixed vegetables).
- Cocido completo In winter. a rich stew pork dish, The liquid is served as a soup and the strained vegetables and meat (pork sausage, pigs ear) is served as the main course.
- Gallinejas Fried spirals of pork offal (small intestines, spleen, and pancreas) served with French Fries.
Paella usually rice with seafood (con mariscos) or variations with meat (mixta) Alternative (nearly) vegetarian recipes include setas/boletus (types of mushroom) or Valenciana (mixed vegetables).
Cocido completo In winter. a rich stew pork dish, The liquid is served as a soup and the strained vegetables and meat (pork sausage, pigs ear) is served as the main course.
Gallinejas Fried spirals of pork offal (small intestines, spleen, and pancreas) served with French Fries.
- Zarajos new-born lamb intestines wound on a stick (usually a snack or tapas
- Patatas Alliolli boiled potatoes in a creamy white garlic sauce
- Patatas Bravas Fried potatoes in an unctuous red pepper-spice sauce
- Champinones button mushrooms fried with garlic in olive oil
- Sorpresa depends on what the chef has to hand - often a mini-main-course in a pot
Zarajos new-born lamb intestines wound on a stick (usually a snack or tapas
Patatas Alliolli boiled potatoes in a creamy white garlic sauce
Patatas Bravas Fried potatoes in an unctuous red pepper-spice sauce
Champinones button mushrooms fried with garlic in olive oil
Sorpresa depends on what the chef has to hand - often a mini-main-course in a pot
A daily menú is provided at most bars and restaurants at €10 - 20 weekdays and slightly more at weekends, but you may have to ask for it - since La Carta is more expensive. The menu is generally very good value for money, and includes a drink (table wine or soft refresco) and either coffee or desert (rarely both).
- Pan Tomaca: toast with tomato, garlic and herbs (Tostada con tomate is toasted bread topped with chopped tomato).
- Sandwich Vegital despite its name this salad sandwich often has egg, cheese or chicken (Jose Carrillo serves a jumbo version for two).
- Sandwich Mixta: toasted ham and cheese, usually with a fried egg on top (Jose Carrillo- again, order one for two people).
Pan Tomaca: toast with tomato, garlic and herbs (Tostada con tomate is toasted bread topped with chopped tomato).
Sandwich Vegital despite its name this salad sandwich often has egg, cheese or chicken (Jose Carrillo serves a jumbo version for two).
Sandwich Mixta: toasted ham and cheese, usually with a fried egg on top (Jose Carrillo- again, order one for two people).
- Caréme, near Palace
- Gran Casino La Montaña
Caréme, near Palace
Gran Casino La Montaña
- Ruta Del Sol, right turn then about 50 m off M305 from Madrid between Doce Calles/La Montaña and Aranjues Town Center). Sheltered car parking.
- Jose Carrillo, Calle Capitan - town center, near Avinida Las Infantes.
Ruta Del Sol, right turn then about 50 m off M305 from Madrid between Doce Calles/La Montaña and Aranjues Town Center). Sheltered car parking.
Jose Carrillo, Calle Capitan - town center, near Avinida Las Infantes.
The strawberries of Aranjuez are famous throughout Spain.
small artichokes which can be eaten whole and
asparagus, which may be mature, white and thick (blanco) or young thin green brotes/trigots.
Bars in Aranjuez generally offer a wide selection of internationally known refreshments in generous measure and at prices below the European average price.
In Aranjuez - with alcohol - it is common to be offered a free bar snack or tapas - typically a saucer of olives, a small slice of tortilla or croquettes - sometimes shellfish (Mariscos) -the selection is usually displayed in a glass cabinet on the bar and chosen by the waiter unless you indicate a preference.
Madrid is a and some establishments offer local red and white table wines. High quality red wines are generally from Rioja or Ribera Duero region, and white from either Reuda or Rias Baxas - all of those regions are in northern Spain.
The main supplier is Mahou of Madrid (part of the national Mahou San Miguel group). They provide a wide range of larger type beer, often served in a deep-frozen glass (copa) or half-litre Jarra. Other national and imported beers and ales tend to be more expensive, but price varies according to the locale.
As well as bottled sherry Jerez many bars in Aranjuez have a barrel or tap (similar to, and alongside the regular beer-tap) - look out for these!
Most bars have a very wide and international selection of distilled drinks, and the waiters (camereros) enjoy producing fancy cocktails and amusing tapas.
Water from the tap (grifo is widely drunk in Spain, particularly by children, and is generally available on request - usually chilled or with ice. Ask for Agua and mineral water is usually served - with ice and lemon. The usual range of American and European sweet drinks (Coca-cola, Fanta etc) are served with lots of ice, and so are usually reasonably priced (often slightly cheaper than in Madrid capital, and much cheaper than in tourist areas).
Aranjues Municipal Tourist Information Office have very pleasant staff who speak English, and, as well as orientation, guide books and events calendars, will also help visitors to the office by telephoning - especially to smaller local establishments whose staff may have difficulty speaking English
The office is alongside the huge Mariblanca sandy square, in Casa de las Infantas to the left of San Antonio church. and open daily, all year round from about 10:00. Tel. +34 918 910 427, fax +34 918 914 197, e-mail infoturismo@aranjuez.es