Real Jardin Botanico

About

The Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid is Madrid’s oldest and most iconic botanical garden, covering 8 hectares (20 acres) in the heart of the city. Founded in 1755 by King Ferdinand VI and now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro, a landscape of Arts and Sciences”, the garden has evolved into a living laboratory of plant science and a public oasis. Visitors wander through seven terraced gardens and five greenhouses that together host about 90 000 plant species, ranging from temperate European natives to exotic tropical and desert flora. The main attraction is the elegant arrangement of plants into taxonomically‑structured terraces—such as the Terraza de los Cuadros, the Terraza de las Escuelas Botánicas, and the Terraza del Plano de la Flor—each offering a distinct botanical theme and a picturesque setting. Behind the terraces lie the historic institutional glasshouses, the oldest of which dates back to the 19th century and showcases tropical and temperate collections. The garden’s ambience is enriched by the Japanese garden, the Villanueva Pavilion and the herbarium, Spain’s largest with over a million specimens. Beyond its horticultural allure, the Real Jardín Botánico serves as an important research centre: it hosts the CSIC’s Botanical Laboratory, publishes the Annals of the Botanical Garden, and provides a living laboratory for students of botany, ecology and environmental science. Whether you’re a family looking for a leisurely stroll, a botany enthusiast seeking rare species, or a history lover intrigued by 18‑th‑century garden design, the Real Jardín Botánico offers a comprehensive, immersive experience in plant science and landscape heritage.

Highlights

• Terraces
• Greenhouses
• Japanese Garden
• Villanueva Pavilion
• Herbarium

Must-See Areas

Good to Know

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes