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Visitors are drawn to the Chinese Pond in the Prince’s Garden, and its three small islets—the sites of a Greek temple, a Chinese temple, and an obelisk.
© Eric Titcombe

Prince's Garden

The Prince's Garden owes its name and creation to the son and heir of Charles III who, in the 1770s, began to use Ferdinand VI's old pier for his own enjoyment. He also created a landscaped garden in the Anglo-French style that was in fashion at the time and which was directly influenced by Marie Antoinette's gardens at the Petit Trianon in Versailles.

Without a doubt, this is the largest garden of those found in Aranjuez with a perimeter of 7 km and 150 hectares of extension. Unlike the Gardens of the Island, the Prince's Garden stands out for its botanical richness and not for its layout. In reality it is not just one garden, but several.

The Greek Pavilion in the Prince's Garden is one of the most important features in this landscape to the east of the palace. - © Antonio Castillo López
The Greek Pavilion in the Prince's Garden is one of the most important features in this landscape to the east of the palace. - © Antonio Castillo López

The Prince's Garden was created by Charles IV, between 1789 and 1808. Unlike the Garden of the Island, it is a landscaped garden that follows the English and French fashion of the late eighteenth century. However, previous elements, such as the Huerta de la Primavera and the Ferdinand VI wharf, are integrated in it.

The Prince of Aranjuez Garden is one of the largest gardens in Spain. It's surrounded by the Tagus River. Throughout the walk, you will be able to observe a large number of plant species, many of them brought from distant lands.

Much of the Prince's Garden is designed in the English style of the 18th century, with enormous trees collected from around the world. © Antonio Castillo López
Much of the Prince's Garden is designed in the English style of the 18th century, with enormous trees collected from around the world. © Antonio Castillo López

Inside the Prince's Garden we can also find the Royal Pavilions, built by Santiago Bonavia. Between the pavilions, there is a small ochavado garden that separates the wharf and the main pavilion. It is here where Charles IV spent long hours enjoying the views, and hence the name of the garden in honour of this king. Very close to this point, we also find the Museo de Falúas Reales, which contains a magnificent collection of boats from various periods, with which the Spanish Royalty livened up their stays in Aranjuez, sailing along the Tagus River.

Visit

Prince's Garden

Hours

Gardens:
 Saturdays from 11:00 to 18:00 h. uninterrupted
1 January - 28 February 08:00 - 18:30
1 March - 15 March 08:00 - 19:00
16 March - last weekend of March 08:00 - 19:30
Last weekend of March - 15 June 08:00 - 20:30
16 June - 15 August 08:00 - 21:30
16 August - 30 September 08:00 - 20:30
1 October - last weekend of October 08:00 - 19:30
Last weekend of October - 31 December 08:00 - 18:30

Hours of operation of monumental fountains of the Royal Site of Aranjuez:
 Narcissus" Fountain of the Prince's Garden: From 12:00 to 12:10 and from 16:30 to 16:50
Fountain "Las Cabezas" of the Prince's Garden: From 12:20 to 12:30 and from 16:50 to 17:00
Garden of the Island (Hercules and Anteo do not work) From L. to V.  11:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00
  
Closing due to an official act or public holiday in the municipality:
 1 May: Closed full-time
24 December: Closed full-time
25 December: Closed full-time
31 December: Closed full-time
 
Special openings:
 May 2 (Monday following Labour Day)
30 May (San Fernando)
25 July (Santiago Apóstol)
15 August (Monday Assumption of the Virgin Mary)
September 5 (Monday Mutiny Fair)
12 October (National holiday)
31 October (Monday Puente de los Santos)
1 November (All Saints)
5 December (Monday, Spanish Constitution Bridge)
6 December (Spanish Constitution)
December 8 (Immaculate Conception)
December 26 (Monday Next Monday Nativity)