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Where to Have a Picnic in Madrid

lake at buen retiro park in madrid
Written by Brian S.

Going on a picnic and eating outside with nature and taking advantage of the good weather is one of the best things to do in the city. If you have decided to move to Madrid, there are several perfect places to make these trips to eat or snack while sitting in the field, admiring the landscape, and enjoying the tranquility that it offers us.

In this ShMadrid article, we want to discover some of the best places to have a picnic in Madrid so you can enjoy the spring and summer to the fullest.

Related article: 3 Of The Best Parks In Madrid

Buen Retiro Park

lake at buen retiro park in madrid with clouds

Photo via Pixabay

Literally “Park of the Pleasant Retreat,” it is a popular place for people to stroll through and sit when spending a night out. Among its 350 acres, it is not difficult to find the ideal place to settle and enjoy your picnic. Established in 1680, there are several perfect spots to sit, one of them being around the Crystal Palace, where you can admire this beautiful building and its lake surrounded by vegetation while you relax.

Another great place to go is the Retiro pond, where people can enjoy their boat ride, located in one of the most known, visited, and photographed places in the whole park. There are also beautiful sculptures and monuments, most notably the memorial to Alfonso XII, completed in 1902. You can get to Buen Retiro Park via Line 2 of the Madrid metro to the Retiro stop.

Bosque de la Herrería

trees with no leaves in snowy winter

Photo by Jexweber.fotos via Visualhunt

Outside the city, near the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, there is Herrería forest, a unique natural setting of 497 hectares for walking or having a picnic while you get lost in nature; even in wintertime, it is gorgeous.

This area has a picnic area with pine trees, tables, wooden benches and car parking, making it very convenient. Managed and protected by the National Heritage, the “Blacksmith Forest,” as it is translated as was listed as a Picturesque Landscape in 1961 and is included in the Natura 2000 Network as a Site of Community Importance and a protected habitat for birds.

The Bosque de la Herrería is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Madrid and its tranquility and natural beauty make it one of the best places to have a picnic. It is located in the municipalities of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Villa de El Escorial or via the M-505 highway by car. 

La Casa de Campo

trees at la casa de campo park in madrid

Photo by Roller Coaster Philosophy via Visualhunt

Since its opening in 1931, La Casa de Campo, “Country House,” is the largest park in Madrid at 1,722 hectares with the numerous picnic tables available for people, making it the perfect place to spend a quiet day or evening eating outdoors.

Families will spend hours in the park, enjoying the nice weather and looking at wildlife that is seen around the park such as deer, rabbits, and various birds.

Formerly a hunting estate, the park features access to the Parque de Atracciones, the Madrid Zoo and Aquarium, and Madrid Arena

The park also has a gondola lift that connects Casa de Campo with Parque del Oeste and the IFEMA fairgrounds. To get to this sprawling setting, take Line 5 of the Madrid Metro to the Casa de Campo stop.

Related article: Lose yourself in Buen Retiro Park

Parque del Cerro del Tío Pío

Cerro del Tío Pío Park at night

Photo by horitzons inesperats via Visualhunt

Jokingly known as the park of the seven tits (because of the seven-pointed hills), the Cerro del Tío Pío Park has probably the best views of the city. Formed by those seven hills ideal for picnics and other outdoor activities, it is also an idyllic place to spend a romantic evening.

At Tío Pío, you can enjoy a picnic while you gaze out from the spectacular views of the capital that it offers, ideal also to see the Madrid sunset. With a size of 159.745 m² distributed among the seven hills that makes it up, it is not difficult to find a place to enjoy. You can get here by walking 10 minutes from the Portazgo stop through Line 1 of the Madrid Metro.

Where do you like to go for your picnic?

About the author

Brian S.

Brian Susbielles is a freelance writer who loves global politics, foreign movies, and Led Zeppelin

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