Do you know Madrid but have never been to Madrid Río? It’s a large urban park that runs alongside the Manzanares River and has, year after year, become a highly sought-after spot in the city for sports, relaxation, and cultural activities. It features several bridges, play areas, fountains, terraces, and viewpoints—what more could you ask for?
Well, there is something: come visit it on your next trip to Madrid!
The history of Madrid Río
The Madrid Río project aimed to restore the Manzanares riverbed and bring it back into urban life, and it has certainly succeeded. For decades, the river was partly hidden by the highways surrounding it, until the early 2000s when the M-30 was buried underground and this park was created, now spanning over ten kilometers of green spaces. Quite something.
Where the Manzanares River flows into
If you’re wondering where Madrid’s Manzanares River flows into, the answer is nearby, very nearby. This river rises in the Sierra de Guadarrama and crosses the capital from north to south before flowing into the Jarama River, in the municipality of Rivas-Vaciamadrid.
Although its flow is small, the Manzanares holds great importance for Madrid residents due to its symbolism and the cultural significance it has earned over time. Many poets and writers such as Lope de Vega, Quevedo, and Góngora have referenced it in their verses.
What route to take through Madrid Río
One of the best ways to explore the entire Madrid Río park is to follow the course of the Manzanares on foot, by bike, or by segway. You can start at the Puente del Rey, next to Casa de Campo, and head south. Along the way you’ll find gardens, sports areas, children’s playgrounds, and a wide variety of terraces if you feel like stopping for a snack.
You can do the complete route—the ten kilometers we mentioned earlier—all at once or focus on just one section if you’re passing through Madrid and don’t have much time. If you’d like to extend the route further, head to Matadero, an art and activities center that has become another major attraction in the area.
How to get to Madrid Río
Have you already figured out how to get around Madrid? Have you booked a Hop on Hop off bus? Or are you coming in your own vehicle and have already checked which cars can enter Madrid?
Nothing? Then pay attention, because you won’t need to drive to enjoy Madrid Río. By metro, the nearest stops are Príncipe Pío, Puerta del Ángel, Pirámides, or Legazpi, depending on which section of the park you want to visit. By bus, lines 25, 50, 62, or 148 pass through the area, so you can look for combinations that include them. And if not, you can always rent a bike, scooter, or motorcycle, or come on your own by taxi or with a private transport service.
Once here, say goodbye to traffic because the paths you’ll be walking are pedestrian-only.
Places worth your attention in Madrid Río
Along its banks, the Manzanares is flanked by vegetation that includes species such as ash, poplar, willow, and elm, forming corridors that serve as refuge for birds like the little egret, kingfisher, and mallard. And in the water? On the banks, herons, and underwater, fish such as carp and barbel.
A blend of nature and architecture? Then head to the Arganzuela Crystal Palace Greenhouse, a modernist gem of iron and glass that houses a collection of tropical and subtropical plants. And after this, which is the essential part of Madrid Río you should see, it’s time to continue the visit.
Join a cultural activity in Madrid Río
There’s a trio nearby, consisting of Matadero Madrid, one of the city’s most active contemporary art centers—hosting exhibitions, theater, and all kinds of activities—; the Casa del Reloj Cultural Center, another space with an extensive cultural program; and MAD Madrid Artes Digitales, dedicated to immersive and digital art.
And if your visit falls on a weekend or at night, check the schedule at Sala Riviera—much further north—one of Madrid’s most iconic concert venues.
Bridges, viewpoints, and photogenic spots in the park
The Puente del Rey—our favorite—offers one of the most beautiful views of the park, but if there’s one that surprises, it’s the Puente de Arganzuela, for its helical design.
And to complete the photographic tour and take home a full album of Madrid Río, you need to snap photos at the iconic Madrid Letters, at the Obelisk Fountain—a stone monument topped by an obelisk that marks one of the historic entrances to the former Royal Palace—and at the Puerta de San Vicente, which marks the park’s northern boundary.
Stop at its monuments
If you’re looking for architecture and handcrafted pieces, you must visit the Ermita de la Virgen del Puerto, one of Madrid’s oldest chapels, the Statue of Isabel II, the Lion Statue, and the Fountain of the Shells, all heritage elements with a lot of history behind them.
Also the Chalecito de la Reina, a small 19th-century neoclassical pavilion that was a summer residence for the royal family, and the Reliefs of the Carriage Museum.
Come discover Madrid Río
We don’t need to say it, but at Madrid Río you can stroll, run, bike, or sunbathe by the river. There are also soccer fields, skateparks, 17 different children’s areas, and spaces for yoga or reading outdoors.
If you’re thinking of staying a few days in the city, or even a few weeks, take a look at the apartments and flats we have at WAOU Rentals. You’ll be able to book one that’s well located, comfortable, extremely clean, and best of all, at unbeatable prices.
Enjoying Madrid Río and the city is much better when you have a great place to stay, don’t you think?
