L1, Royal Botanic Garden

In the heart of the city and surrounded by the best museums in the Spanish capital, you will find the Royal Botanical Gardens. A historic space founded by Ferdinand VI in 1755 and responsible since then for research, conservation and dissemination of the universe of plants. With a collection of more than 5,000 different types of plants, its interior features an exhibition greenhouse, with tropical, humid and desert environments; the stove of the Palms, built in the 19th century; and an important collection of bonsais. 

You can get there from Estación del Arte and from Atocha (both on L1), as well as from Banco de España (L2). 

L2, El Retiro 

It is Madrid's park par excellence. And the second largest in the Spanish capital with 125 hectares and more than 15,000 trees, only behind Casa de Campo. It combines nature, culture, leisure and sport in equal measure. And this historic park has become one of the city's main tourist attractions. 

Built in the first half of the 17th century, its use as an urban park dates back to 1767, when Charles III allowed the public to enter. Its interior houses important architectural and historical elements, such as the Monument to Alfonso XIII, the Great Pond and the Crystal Palace. 

In addition to Retiro (L2) station, you can also get there from Atocha (L1) and Ibiza (L9) stations. 

L3, Parque del Oeste 

With a surface area of almost 100 hectares, it is the third largest green space in Madrid. It was the first public park in the Spanish capital, an initiative of the former mayor of Madrid, Alberto Aguilera, in 1905. 

It offers one of the most spectacular sunsets in the Spanish capital: that of the Temple of Debod. The rose garden and the cable car are other of its most representative points. In addition, since its remodelling in 2022, it has been connected to the Plaza de España, the Sabatini Gardens and the Royal Palace by means of a green, pedestrianised route. 

You can get there from Moncloa (L3, L6), Plaza de España (L2, L3, L10), and Príncipe Pío (L6, L10, Ramal) stations. 

L4, Jardines del Descubrimiento

Next to the Colón (L4) Metro station, you can visit this park, which opened in 1970 and covers an area of around two hectares. As its name suggests, the park is devoted to the discovery of America and houses a memorial to this historic event consisting of three large concrete volumes, with reliefs of the discovery, rising above a pond. 

An important cultural site, the park houses the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa and is very close to the National Library and the National Archaeological Museum.

L5, Vista Alegre

Although this line is known for taking you to some of the best parks in the Spanish capital, today we're taking you to the lesser known Finca de Vista Alegre. 

This scenic and monumental jewel is the fourth largest historic garden in the city. It is located in the area known as Los Carabancheles, which in the 18th century became one of the favourite recreational areas for Madrid's nobility. In 1832, it became the property of the crown and the summer residence of Queen María Cristina. Among its secrets is an impressive cedar included in the Regional Catalogue of the Community as a "singular tree". 

In addition to the station with its name, Vista Alegre (L5), the stations of Carabanchel (L5) and Oporto (L5, L6) also leave you close to this park. 

L6, Tierno Galván Park 

Very close to the Arganzuela-Planetario and Méndez Álvaro stations (both on L6), you will find this beautiful park that invites you to stroll and admire its great diversity of trees and plants. Opened in 1987, it has a statue in honour of its promoter, Mayor Enrique Tierno Galván.

In addition to children's play areas, viewpoints and sports areas, one of its main attractions is its pond and the ducks that live in it. The park is also home to the Madrid Planetarium, an open-air auditorium where concerts are frequent, and the former IMAX cinema, now closed.