El Pardo Palace's Gardens

El Pardo Palace's Gardens surround one of the residences of the Spanish royal family, located on the outskirts of Madrid within the forested area known as Monte de El Pardo. Here, palace architecture meets a garden design that blends formal geometric layouts with a more relaxed, naturalistic treatment of greenery.

Where does the El Pardo residence come from?

The site's history stretches back to the 14th century, when a small hunting fortress was built here under Henry III and later Henry IV, on what is now the Monte de El Pardo estate. It was Charles V who commissioned its transformation into a palace, entrusting the project to architect Luis de Vega, who designed a modest, square-plan Spanish alcázar with towers at each corner, originally surrounded by a moat. Philip II later completed the works, introducing slate roofs in the Flemish style — a first for Spain — along with richly decorated interiors influenced by Italian fashion.

How were the gardens laid out?

In front of the palace's main façade lies a spacious forecourt with ornamental flower beds, serving as an introduction to the rest of the garden. Beyond it, the grounds take on a more naturalistic character: small groves framed by clipped box hedges are crossed by winding paths. The overall composition reflects Neoclassical sensibilities, visible in the regular avenues and pergolas, combined with a less formal approach to planting further into the park.

What role did El Pardo play at court?

Hunting was for centuries one of the principal pastimes of Spanish kings and nobility, which is why hunting grounds, pavilions and guest houses were established near royal residences. El Pardo stands as one of the finest examples of this tradition — the palace is surrounded by roughly 16,000 hectares of forest, which today still functions as a nature reserve and a popular recreational area.

Who manages the site today?

The palace and its gardens belong to Patrimonio Nacional, the institution responsible for managing the former residences of the Spanish crown. As a result, parts of the complex are open to visitors, while the surrounding woodland remains protected, striking a balance between historical heritage and the region's natural value.

Why visit the gardens of El Pardo?

For visitors to Madrid, the gardens of El Pardo offer something quite different from the city centre: a walk through a historic garden layout set within a forest, away from urban noise. It is also a chance to see a residence that served generations of Spanish monarchs as a place of rest and hunting, its architecture and greenery reflecting shifting tastes across the centuries — from Renaissance beginnings, through Flemish influence, to later Neoclassical landscaping.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the gardens of El Pardo Palace located? On the outskirts of Madrid, within the Monte de El Pardo forest, right next to the palace itself.

Who built El Pardo Palace? An original fortress was raised under Henry III and Henry IV; Charles V later commissioned architect Luis de Vega to rebuild it as a palace, with the work completed under Philip II.

What style are the gardens in? They combine geometric elements — flower beds and avenues near the forecourt — with a more naturalistic layout of groves framed by hedges, in a broadly Neoclassical spirit.

Can visitors access the gardens today? Yes, the site belongs to Patrimonio Nacional, the institution that manages Spain's royal residences open to the public.